Historic Debate Partnership Unveils Arizona Media Association’s Election Moderators This Fall

The Arizona Media Association is gearing up for an extensive collaboration with local media outlets to facilitate political debates in Arizona during the 2024 election season. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for voters, making the upcoming debates the most inclusive in the state’s history. As candidate participation is confirmed, these debates will encompass significant races, including Arizona’s U.S. Senate seat, Congressional Districts, and various county-level positions, alongside discussions on pivotal ballot issues.

Debate moderators have been announced, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. Among them, Rafael Carranza has specialized in immigration for the past 15 years, previously serving as a foreign correspondent for national news networks. Steve Goldstein, with a 25-year background as a radio host and reporter, is well-versed in political dialogue and has engaged with numerous elected officials.

Nohelani Graf, known for her extensive career in local journalism, has covered a diverse array of stories in Arizona, focusing on topics from wildfires to health. Danielle Lerner has dedicated over 15 years to journalism, particularly in Phoenix and Tucson, and has recently started her media consulting firm. Richard Ruelas, an ASU graduate, brings over three decades of experience reporting on politics and crime, previously moderating events for the Republic and the Clean Elections Commission.

For ongoing updates on the 2024 political debates, check here for the latest developments.