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Dewhurst, Cruz Agree To KERA Debate

Both candidates in a run-off for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination accepted KERA's invitation to debate.

On Friday, June 22, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and former solicitor general Ted Cruz will tackle questions from journalists and voters in KERA’s Dallas television studios.

The live, hour-long, debate will be broadcast statewide to all Texas media outlets. Media partner Univision Texas will simulcast the debate in Spanish. Other media partners include the Texas Tribune, the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News.

The Dewhurst-Cruz face-off follows an increasingly vitriolic contest to replace Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison who is stepping down.

Cruz has labeled Dewhurst as the establishment moderate and called for five debates before the July 31 runoff election.

Dewhurst has cast Cruz as an attorney with little understanding of business and too many friends inside the Washington beltway. Dewhurst has said he’s up for any debate that’s televised statewide.

Former KERA staffer Shelley Kofler was news director, managing editor and senior reporter. She is an award-winning reporter and television producer who previously served as the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.