BUFFALO, N.Y. – In the race for the 27th congressional district, Democrat incumbent Rep. Kathy Hochul and Republican candidate, former Erie County Executive Chris Collins will debate live from the WNED Studios in downtown Buffalo.  WNED, in partnership with WGRZ-TV, The Buffalo News, The League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara and WXXI-AM, WXXI-TV and WHEC-TV in Rochester, N.Y., presents “Decision 2012: 27th Congressional District Debate” on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

The hour-long debate will be simulcast on WNED-TV, WGRZ-TV and WBFO-FM 88.7/WNED-AM 970 radio. Questions will be posed by three panelists: Bob McCarthy, Buffalo News political reporter; Julie Philipp, WXXI news director; and Claudine Ewing, WGRZ-TV reporter.  WBFO-FM 88.7/WNED-AM 970 News Director Jim Ranney will moderate. 

The public is encouraged to e-mail questions for the candidates to debate@wned.org. Questions will be selected prior to the broadcast. 

“Decision 2012: 27th Congressional District Debate” will be streamed online at wbfo.org (audio only), wgrz.com and buffalonews.com.  The program will also be aired and streamed online in the Rochester market. 

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well/WORLD TV, WBFO 88.7 FM/WNED-AM 970 and Classical 94.5 WNED, member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services to local, regional and national audiences that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities. Additional information about WNED can be found at wned.org.