Patch, FOX6 Propose Televised Forum in State Senate Recall Race

With less than three weeks before a recall election between state Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and state Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay), Patch and its media partners at FOX6 News have invited both candidates to participate in a live televised forum.

The Aug. 9 recall election in the 8th Senate District has generated high waves of emotion and public interest ever since the Recall Darling group and .

Mark Maley, regional editor of Milwaukee-area Patch sites, said a forum would let voters hear candidates speak about the issues and allow voters to ask the questions they deem most important to them and their lives.

"We think it's vital that residents in the 8th District get a chance to hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent them - and that residents have an opportunity to directly pose questions to the candidates about the key issues facing the state," Maley said. "This format would ensure unfiltered, two-way communication between the candidates and the voters."

Added Jim Lemon, vice president of news for FOX6: "We know there is significant passion with this election, and our goal is to bring a respectful and civilized tone to the discussion, helping voters who have important decisions to make on Aug. 9."

The proposal was submitted to both candidates Friday, and so far, Pasch has agreed to participate and Darling is considering the offer.

Pasch campaign manager Dave Kreisman said the Democrat welcomes the opportunity to participate in the forum.

"We were thrilled to hear from FOX6 and Patch about the opportunity to speak to voters, and have her out front speaking about the issues at stake in this election," he said. "We’ve been trying to get these candidate forums started for a while now, and we hope we are able to do so with Patch and FOX6, which we know are both trusted news organizations in the area."

The details of the format - including the format, date and location - will be worked out if both candidates agree to participate.

Andrew Davis, Darling's campaign manager, said the campaign will discuss the matter and will be in touch this week.

In a , Pasch she was disappointed by Darling's rejection of requests for debates that came from two special-interest groups, Disability Rights Wisconsin and Advocates for Education.

Davis told Patch that while while the campaign declined those particular invitations, the two candidates will go head to head sometime before Election Day.

The two candidates have agreed to take part in an Aug. 3 forum hosted by the Menomonee Falls Rotary Club. That invitation-only forum will take place at the Radisson Hotel.

The 8th Senate District includes most of Milwaukee's North Shore communities, plus Menomonee Falls, Germantown, Mequon, Thiensville, Butler and parts of Milwaukee.