To Be Broadcast on WNED and WXXI October 9

Public broadcasting stations in both Buffalo and Rochester are teaming up to present Election 2008: 26th Congressional District Debate on October 9 at 9 pm. The U.S. House of Representatives district (now served by retiring Republican Thomas Reynolds) encompasses parts of Western New York State, including suburbs northeast of Buffalo and west of Rochester.

Major-party candidates vying for this seat will take part in a live debate broadcast from the WNED studios in downtown Buffalo. Republican candidate Christopher Lee, a businessman from Clarence, and Democratic candidate Alice Kryzan, an attorney from Amherst, will participate.

Presented in partnership with The Buffalo News and Voice of the Voter - Rochester, the hour-long debate is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Buffalo / Niagara. It will be simulcast live in both the Buffalo (WNED-TV, WNED-AM 970 and online at wned.org/AM) and Rochester (WXXI AM and WXXI TV) areas.

The candidates will answer questions from the following panelists: Bob McCarthy, The Buffalo News; Mark Leitner, WNED-AM 970; Jill Terreri, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle; and Julie Philipp, WXXI. Via public broadcasting’s statewide interconnect, live studio audiences at both sites also will have an opportunity to pose some of the questions. WNED-AM News Director Jim Ranney will moderate; Carlet Cleare will serve as co-host from the WXXI studios.

A pool feed and press area will accommodate media outlets. All media attending must be accredited through WNED. Contact Suzanne Kashuba at (716) 845-7000, ext. 382 for more information.