Wyoming PBS Debates Start Tonight: What to Watch in the Superintendent Race
Wyoming's general election shifts into its highest gear this week. Wyoming PBS hosts four debates over two nights at the Riverton High School Auditorium — starting tonight at 7 PM with the governor's race — and the one that matters most to School Board News readers lands Thursday at 8 PM: a 30-minute debate between the two candidates for state superintendent of public instruction, Democrat Ana Cordova and Republican Steve Harshman.
THE LINEUP
Tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 14 — 7 PM: Governor. Eric Barlow (R), Rebecca Bextel (Constitution), Kenneth Casner (D). 8 PM: Secretary of State. Bryan McCarty (D), Robert Short (R), Tamara Trujillo (Constitution).
Tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15 — 7 PM: U.S. House. Jeffrey Haggit (Constitution), Shawn Johnson (Libertarian), Lisa Kinney (D). Republican nominee Gray is not participating. 8 PM: Superintendent of Public Instruction. Ana Cordova (D) vs. Steve Harshman (R) — 30 minutes.
All four debates air live on Wyoming PBS and stream on the Wyoming PBS YouTube channel. Steve Peck moderates, with panelists from Cowboy State Daily and Wyoming Public Media. The auditorium at 2001 W. Sunset Dr. in Riverton is open to the public.
WHAT TO WATCH: THE SUPERINTENDENT RACE
Thirty minutes is not much time, which means every exchange counts. As we've reported, this race has turned on vouchers — and Thursday night is the first time voters will see Cordova and Harshman side by side on the question (https://www.schoolboardnews.org/post/wyoming-school-board-elections-near-prop-1-opposition-widens-and-the-superintendent-race-turns-on). Three things to listen for: where each candidate stands on the federal school-choice tax credit, how they frame Proposition 1's school-funding stakes, and what each says about teacher pay — the issue at the center of Wyoming's school-funding fight (https://www.schoolboardnews.org/post/teacher-pay-is-back-at-the-center-of-wyoming-s-school-funding-fight).
THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HAS SCHOOL STAKES TOO
Tonight's 7 PM debate matters for schools as well. Proposition 1's property-tax cut carries direct school-funding consequences — opponents cite an estimated $198 million in annual school funding already lost to 2025 tax shifts, with a projected $92 million revenue decline in FY 2028 (https://www.schoolboardnews.org/post/proposition-1-puts-wyoming-school-dollars-on-the-ballot). Listen for how the three candidates for governor talk about making up the difference — or whether they'd let districts absorb it.
NO SENATE DEBATE
Wyoming PBS will not host a U.S. Senate debate: only Democrat James Byrd confirmed by the deadline, and Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman did not respond. PBS does not hold single-candidate debates. Byrd will instead hold a live forum Friday at 7 PM at LCCC, streamed on YouTube.
School Board News will be watching. Know the issue before the meeting starts — School Board News delivers a five-minute Wyoming education briefing for board members, educators, parents and community leaders. Visit https://schoolboardnews.org/ to subscribe.
Sponsored by Wolf Scholarship
Today's reporting is brought to you by Wolf Scholarship — the Wide Open Learning Fund, a Wyoming nonprofit providing need-based scholarships that send Wyoming K-12 students to educational travel programs, academic competitions, and leadership experiences. A proud sponsor of School Board News. Learn more at wolfscholarship.org.
Never miss a briefing
School Board News delivers a five-minute Wyoming education briefing for board members, educators, parents, and community leaders. Come subscribe — it's free. Visit schoolboardnews.org and sign up so the next briefing lands in your inbox.
Comments