The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council and the University of Virginia’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy are co-hosting the last of three televised gubernatorial debates between Democrat Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie on Oct. 9 in the David J. Prior Convocation Center in Wise, Virginia.

Local NBC affiliate WCYB’s anchor Paul Johnson will moderate the debate. Carmen Forman a journalist with The Roanoke Times will serve as a panelist and pose questions to the candidates. The debate, the first of its kind to take place in far Southwest Virginia, will split the focus between issues that matter to rural Virginia and topics of importance to the Commonwealth as a whole.

“The historic debate gives the region an opportunity to learn more about each candidate and the issues that are important to southwestern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth,” UVa-Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry said. “We are honored to join the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council and the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy in hosting the debate on our campus.”

“The Southwestern VA Technology Council echoes Chancellor Henry’s words and we thank both candidates for choosing this area of the Commonwealth for this most important debate,” SWVTC Chief Executive Officer Esther Bolling said.

“UVA is pleased to partner with the College at Wise and Southwestern Virginia Technology Council to host this important debate,” said UVA President Teresa A. Sullivan. “We commend both candidates for their willingness to debate alternative policy responses to the social and economic challenges facing the Commonwealth today.”

The debate will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WCYB and several other television stations across Virginia. The debate will also be streamed live at   www.wcyb.com/news/live-stream.

For more information about the debate, please visit www.uvawise.edu/david-j-prior-convocation-center/debate.