From the Bellaire Examiner:
Whenever the question of a debate arose early in the campaign, observers say, District 134 State Rep. Martha Wong brushed off the possibility.Why would she want to give her opponent that stature, the value of her own high name recognition, she asked.
But last week, one debate between Wong and hard-charging Democrat Ellen Cohen was locked in and another was being negotiated.
"This district is one of the most educated - if not the most educated - in the state, and the idea that candidates don't have to let voters compare them side by side is unthinkable," said Cohen's campaign manager, Bill Kelley."We think this is great," said Josh Hamilton, Wong's campaign manager. "That's what democracy is supposed to be about - candidates meeting face-to-face to explain their positions first-hand to voters."
Wong and Cohen, on leave as executive director of the Houston Area Women's Center, will meet at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 20 in a breakfast debate sponsored by the Houston In-Town Chamber of Commerce, Upper Kirby District and Museum District Business Alliance at the Briar Club, 2603 Timmons Lane.
Seats are $20 for members of those organizations, $30 for non-members, and tables of 10 are available for $250.
For reservations, call 713-524-8000. Nancy Sims of Pierpont Communications will be the moderator.
A second debate at Rice University is in the works, sponsored by the student Republican and Democratic organizations.Campaign managers for the two candidates say they have agreed to the debate "in principle" if a mutually agreeable date can be found.
Both campaigns had commitments on the first proposed date.
"We're very flexible," said Ryan Goodland, president of the Rice Young Democrats, working with the Rice College Republicans.
Goodland said Rice students on both sides are interested in the race. "This is turning into a contest of ideologies," he said. "Wong has established a conservative record, and Cohen is clearly a moderate. Voters should have every opportunity to hear them articulate their positions."