George Stephanopoulos and Jake Tapper are set to host a series of debates in key races across the country as part of ABC’s “Vote 2010” midterm election coverage. Stephanopoulos and Tapper will be going to Florida, Colorado, Illinois, and Pennsylvania with help from local affiliates and O&O’s.
The morning after the debates, “Good Morning America” will air live from the host cities for reaction and analysis. The debates will also stream live on ABCNews.com.
ABC’s official release on the candidates they will be covering is after the jump.
ABC News Partners with Local Affiliates & Owned Stations to Host a Series of Debates in Key Races
George Stephanopoulos to Host Three Pivotal Senate Debates
“Good Morning America” to Report Live From These Battleground States
Jake Tapper to Host Back-to-Back Debates in Colorado
As part of ABC News’ “Vote 2010” mid-term election coverage, ABC News is teaming up with its local affiliates and owned stations to host five debates in four key battleground states. As part of a partnership between ABC News and Facebook®, people on both ABCNews.com and Facebook will have an opportunity to contribute questions for the candidates online.
Florida Senate debate on Wednesday, October 6 between Kendrick Meek (D), Marco Rubio (R), and Charlie Crist (I) moderated by George Stephanopoulos in cooperation with ABC’s Orlando (WFTV-TV) and Tampa (WFTS-TV) affiliates. The hour-long debate will air live at 7pm ET.
Colorado Senatorial and Gubernatorial debates on Friday, October 15 in cooperation with ABC’s Denver affiliate KMGH-TV and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Jake Tapper will moderate a debate between Senate candidates Michael Bennet (D) and Ken Buck (R) as well as a debate between gubernatorial candidates John Hickenlooper (D), Dan Maes (R), and Tom Tancredo (ACP). Tapper will be joined by KMGH anchor Mike Landess. The debates will begin at 11:30 am MT and will be streamed live online. A one-hour special on the Senate debate will air on Sunday, October 17, at 9:00 am MT on 7News following “This Week with Christiane Amanpour.”
Illinois Senate debate on Tuesday, October 19 between Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Mark Kirk (R) moderated by George Stephanopoulos in cooperation with ABC owned station in Chicago WLS-TV. The hour-long debate will air at 10:35pm CT. It can be seen live at 7pm CT on ABC 7’s 7.2 Channel, available on Comcast channel 217.
Pennsylvania Senate debate on Wednesday, October 20 between Joe Sestak (D) and Pat Toomey (R) moderated by George Stephanopoulos and WPVI-TV’s 6 and 11pm anchor Jim Gardner, in cooperation with ABC owned station in Philadelphia WPVI-TV. The hour-long debate will air live at 7pm ET.
The debates will air on the local affiliate station and will be streamed live on ABCNews.com and Facebook. The morning following these debates, “Good Morning America” will broadcast live from these states providing reaction and analysis.