Decision 2026: KTVZ News to Host Debates, Town Halls and Partner in Candidate Forums for Midterm Election

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- KTVZ News is launching a series of debates and town halls for the 2026 midterm election as well as participating in multiple candidate forums with the League of Women Voters.

The coverage will feature locally produced events giving voters direct access to candidates running for local, state and federal offices.

KTVZ News has invited all candidates who are certified and qualified for the ballot to participate. In races where only one candidate accepts the invitation, KTVZ News will host a single-candidate town hall in place of a debate.

KTVZ News is also partnering with the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County to provide additional opportunities for voters to hear directly from candidates. KTVZ News will stream the League's candidate forums live across its digital platforms.

KTVZ News Debates and Town Halls:

Locally produced Debates and Town Halls will air LIVE on KTVZ and the digital platforms of KTVZ News.

- Sept. 24th at 6 pm - Race: Bend Mayor
- Sept. 30th at 6 pm - Race: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
- Oct. 1st at 6 pm - Race: Redmond Mayor
- Oct. 6th at 6 pm - Race: U.S. Senate
- Oct. 13th at 6 pm - Race: Oregon Governor (Editorial Note: Debate Produced by KTVZ-TV)
- Oct. 14th at 6 pm - Race: Oregon's 5th Congressional District
- Oct. 21st at 6 pm - Race: Oregon's 2nd Congressional District

Editor's Note: KTVZ News has extended invitations to the following candidates concerning their respective races, at this time - below are their responses.

Bend Mayor:
Melanie Kebler - Contacted - Confirmed
Bernadette Strome - Contacted - Not Confirmed

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office:
James McLaughlin - Contacted - Confirmed
Ty Rupert - Contacted - Confirmed

Redmond Mayor:
Charles Webster Baer - Contacted - Confirmed
Ed Fitch - Contacted - Confirmed
Jay Patrick - Contacted - Confirmed

U.S. Senate:
Jeff Merkley - Contacted - Not Confirmed
David Brock Smith - Contacted - Confirmed

Oregon Governor:
Christine Drazan - Contacted - Confirmed
Tina Kotek - Contacted - Not Confirmed

Oregon's 5th Congressional District:
Patti Adair - Contacted - Confirmed
Janelle Bynum - Contacted Confirmed

Oregon's 2nd Congressional District:
Chris Beck - Contacted - Confirmed
Cliff Bentz - Contacted - Declined

Note: On October 7th at 7 pm, KFXO and KTVZ+ will bring you LIVE coverage of KOBI-TV's Gubernatorial Debate. The debate will be produced by KOBI-TV.

League of Women Voters Candidate Forums:

The League of Women Voters candidate forums will begin Sept. 30 and continue through October.

• Wednesday, Sept. 30th — 5:30 pm
  • Redmond City Council Candidates / Redmond Mayoral Candidates
  • COCC Redmond Technology Center Community Room
  • 2324 SE College Loop, Redmond
    
• Monday, Oct. 5th — 5:30 pm
  • Bend Mayoral Candidates / Oregon State Representative 53rd District Candidates
  • Deschutes Public Library — Central Library
  • 61956 SE Santorini St., Bend
    
• Saturday, Oct. 10th — 11 am
  • U.S. Congressional District 5 Candidates
  • Ridgeview High School
  • 4555 SW Elkhorn Ave., Redmond
    
• Wednesday, Oct. 14th — 5:30 pm
  • Deschutes County Commissioner Candidates / Deschutes County Sheriff Candidates
  • Deschutes County Government Building — Sawyer Room
  • 1300 NW Wall St., Bend
    
• Monday, Oct. 19th — 6 pm
  • Sisters City Council candidates
  • Sisters Firehouse Community Hall
  • 301 S. Elm St., Sisters
    
• Date and Time TBD — 6 pm
  • La Pine City Council Candidates / La Pine Mayoral Candidates
  • Location TBD

Submit Your Questions:

Central Oregon voters can submit questions for candidates running for local, state and federal offices through the KTVZ News Debate & Town Hall Question Submission Form on KTVZ.com and the KTVZ News app.

For League of Women Voters forums, questions may be submitted at least 72 hours before the forum to questions@lwvdeschutes.org, you can find more information here.

KTVZ News' Debates and Town Halls will be hosted by KTVZ's Lee Anderson and moderated by KTVZ's Political Reporter Spencer Sacks as well as a member from our community partner, The Source.