WILLMAR - Rural Minnesota issues will take center stage tonight in Willmar when the top two candidates for governor meet at the Minnwest Technology campus for what is being called the “Greater Minnesota Debate.”
Republican Jeff Johnson, a Hennepin County commissioner, and Democrat Tim Walz, a U.S. Representative from southern Minnesota, will take part in the 1 ½-hour broadcast debate, which begins at 7 p.m.
According to a MinnWest spokesperson, 200 seats for spectators were made available to the debate sponsors, the two political parties and Minnwest.
Those seats have already been allocated and people who are not on the list will not be able to attend in person.
However, the debate will be broadcast live on WCCO radio.
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The event is sponsored by the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council and the Minnesota Corn Growers, with support from Minnesota's Credit Unions and AARP Minnesota.
The debate is expected to address rural issues, like agriculture practices, tax policy, water, regulation relief and workforce shortages.
At the same that this debate is taking place, four candidates vying for two legislative races will meet at 7 p.m. in the Willmar Municipal Utilities Auditorium for a forum sponsored by the Willmar Area League of Women Voters.
That debate includes candidates from District 17A – Republican incumbent Tim Miller and Democrat challenger Lyle Koenen; and candidates from District 17B – Incumbent Republican Dave Baker and Democrat Anita Flowe.
