Athens, Ga. – Athens-based WNEG-TV will originate and televise the Republican debate of candidates for governor on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from the University of Georgia campus. The one-hour debate will begin at 7 p.m. with WNEG-TV news anchor Ray Metoyer moderating.
The Athens-Clarke County Republican Party and the University of Georgia College Republicans are sponsoring the campus event in the South Auditorium, Psychology-Journalism Plaza.
While the event is not open to the general public, it will be broadcast live on Athens’ WNEG, WALB of Albany, WGCL of Atlanta, and WMAZ of Macon. The Georgia News Network also will carry audio of the debate live over its coverage area.
Georgians will elect a new governor on Nov. 2. Incumbent Republican Governor Sonny Perdue is term-limited and unable to seek re-election.
All seven gubernatorial candidates were invited to participate in the Athens debate. Confirmed candidates attending are U.S. Representative Nathan Deal, ex-Secretary of State Karen Handel, president pro tempore of the state Senate Eric Johnson, state representative Austin Scott, state Senator Jeff Chapman, and businessman Ray McBerry. State insurance commissioner and candidate John Oxendine reported that a scheduling conflict will prevent him from participating.
For more information on the debate, contact Bill Griffin, chairman of the Athens-Clarke County GOP at athensgopchairman@yahoo.com or 706/540-4377.
A similar offer has been extended to the Democratic gubernatorial candidates and WNEG-TV is awaiting their response.
WNEG-TV broadcasts from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication on the UGA campus in Athens. The station is owned by UGARF Media Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of the University of Georgia Research Foundation. Visit the station online at www.wnegtv.com
