Clean Elections, in partnership with the Arizona Media Association (AMA), announced the names of the moderators at the helm of the 2026 statewide and federal candidate debates. The dates and times for the debates of respective offices are available now on the Clean Elections website: www.azcleanelections.gov/debate-information.
“Moderators play an important role in debates and voters deserve to have skilled journalists in this capacity who will ask candidates the questions they would ask themselves if they were sitting in their chair,” said Gina Roberts, Voter Education director at Clean Elections. “We anticipate moderators will lead an exchange that is substantive, fair and that creates an environment where candidates have the opportunity to get deeper into policy topics.”
Legislative debates began at the end of April, with statewide debates set for mid-May and federal debates starting at the end of May in anticipation of the July 21 Primary Election. Every debate will be moderated by one or two of the journalists enlisted by the AMA to be on the 2026 Clean Elections Debates moderators roster, including Danielle Lerner, an Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly 20 years of experience working in broadcast media; Kathleen Bade, a 14-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and former news anchor with over 30 years of experience in multiple markets; Olivia Fierro, an experienced journalist who spent more than two decades in television news reporting and at the anchor desk; and Steve Goldstein, an award-winning public radio host and reporter in Phoenix for 25 years.
Voters are encouraged to get involved in debates now by submitting questions for respective offices and candidates by emailing debates@azcleanelections.gov or calling 602-364-3477.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include legislative debate information and update the timing for statewide debates.
