Lookout Eugene-Springfield is teaming up with other Oregon media outlets to co-sponsor “Election 2026: The Governor’s Debate.”

The debate will take place between Gov. Tina Kotek and state Sen. Christine Drazan at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. This will be the first debate for the two candidates in this election cycle, though they faced off during the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Lookout Eugene-Springfield is co-sponsoring the debate alongside Oregon Journalism Project, KVAL TV, and the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.

Panelists will be Lookout senior correspondent Ben Botkin, Nigel Jaquiss of Oregon Journalism Project and Bayla Orton of UO. KVAL’s Kendall Bartley will moderate.

“We are excited to bring this important event to Eugene, alongside our partners at the Oregon Journalism Project and the University of Oregon SOJC, along with KVAL,” Dann Miller, executive editor at Lookout Eugene-Springfield, said. “Civic engagement is a key part of Lookout’s mission, and we believe events such as this are vital to giving Oregonians the information they need to make an informed decision about who will lead our state for the next four years.”

The debate will be held on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene and broadcast on KVAL. It will stream live on YouTube and be available on all of Lookout’s platforms, including our website, mobile app and Facebook. 

There will not be a live audience at the debate.