Congressional debate set for Oct. 21

By RJ Wolcott, WSU News & Media Relations
Composite featuring an illustration of the U.S. Capitol and a photo of the American flag.
WSU’s Foley Institute seeks to inform communities across the state about current public affairs, provide opportunities for students to engage in public service, and support academic research on public policy and democratic institutions.

PULLMAN, Wash. — The two candidates seeking to represent Washington’s 5th Congressional District will face off in a debate hosted by Washington State University’s Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service.

The debate kicks off at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 inside Goertzen Hall on the WSU Pullman campus. It will also be broadcast live on SWX, a subchannel of Spokane’s KHQ-TV.

Folks looking to attend the debate are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m. and can email the Foley Institute ahead of time to have seats reserved. Seating is otherwise on a first-come, first-served basis.

The candidates hoping to succeed incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers are Republican Michael Baumgartner and Democrat Carmela Conroy. McMorris Rodgers, who chose not to run for reelection, has represented the district since 2005.

Established in 1995, WSU’s Foley Institute seeks to inform communities across the state about current public affairs, provide opportunities for students to engage in public service, and support academic research on public policy and democratic institutions.

Among the Foley Institutes programs is the Distinguished Lecture Series, which invites experts and public officials from across the country to discuss relevant topics and political perspectives. Additionally, the Foley Institute is working with nonpartisan political centers nationwide as part of the Election Integrity Initiative, which seeks to educate the public about the elections process, including the myriad measures in place to ensure its security and validity.

Ahead of the 2024 Election, the Foley Institute is also hosting speakers with expertise on topics ranging from media and politics to artificial intelligence’s effect on political campaigns. Previous talks are available to watch on the institute’s YouTube page, and a schedule of upcoming events is available online.

For more information about the Foley Institute, visit the organization’s website.

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