KLAS, KINC Partner On Senate Debate

Nexstar’s CBS affiliate KLAS Las Vegas (DMA (40), is partnering with market’s Univision affiliate, KINC, to host the only statewide U.S. Senate debate between Nevada candidates Joe Heck (R) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D) on Friday, Oct. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. PT. The candidates are competing for the seat that will be left vacant by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who is retiring after 29 years.

The one-hour debate is scheduled to take place at Canyon Springs High School Theater in North Las Vegas. It will be moderated by KLAS political anchor Denise Valdezor; KINC anchor Tsi-Tsi-Ki Félix and Steve Sebelius, KLAS Politics NOW host and Las Vegas Review Journal columnist.

The debate will air via on KLAS following the station’s regularly scheduled 60-minute evening newscast at 6 p.m. To ensure full statewide coverage, KTVN, the CBS affiliate in Reno, will live-simulcast the debate to Northern Nevada viewers. Immediately following the debate, KLAS will broadcast a live post-debate special from 8 to 9 p.m. 

Univision affiliates, KINC Las Vegas and KREN Reno will air the debate on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m. The debate is also being offered to Nevada Public Broadcasting for both radio and television.

“The U.S. Senate debate … is quickly gaining national attention and we are thrilled our local team at 8 News Now, in partnership with Noticias Univision, will moderate this event as candidates tackle the issues important to Nevadans,” said Lisa Howfield, KLAS VP-GM. 

“We are excited to partner with KLAS-TV for a debate that is set to be imperative for the Hispanic community in the state of Nevada,” said Rene Morales, SVP-integrated marketing solutions, Entravision Communications Las Vegas.

According to KLAS, the race for the open seat has national significance as the Nevada election may determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. The Oct. 14 debate is the only debate between the U.S. Senate candidates Joe Heck and Catherin Cortez Masto.