Your guide to Arizona’s 2026 general election debates: Candidates face off in top races

The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, a voter education resource, is hosting a slate of debates for candidates in contested federal, statewide and legislative races ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

KTAR News 92.3 FM will broadcast select debates as well as special reaction shows after the candidates square off in the biggest contests.

Additionally, all debates will be streamed live on the Clean Elections YouTube page.

One significant absence from the debate schedule is Gov. Katie Hobbs. The Democratic incumbent turned down her Clean Elections invitation for the second consecutive election cycle.

Here are the debates KTAR News is planning to air, with times and platforms (all details below are subject to change):

• Aug. 26: 7th Congressional District with Daniel Francis Butierez Sr. and Adelita Grijalva (KTAR YouTube livestream at 6 p.m.)
• Aug. 31: Mine inspector with Brian Matlock and Walter “Les” Presmyk (KTAR YouTube livestream at 4 p.m.)
• Sept. 9: Corporation Commission with Jonathon Hill, Clara Pratte and Kevin Thompson (KTAR YouTube livestream at 6 p.m.)
• Sept. 10: 6th Congressional District with JoAnna Mendoza and Juan Ciscomani (KTAR YouTube livestream at 6 p.m.)
• Sept. 23: Treasurer with Nick Mansour and Elijah Norton (KTAR YouTube livestream at 4 p.m.; replay on 92.3 FM at 7 p.m.)
• Sept. 23: Attorney general with Kris Mayes and Warren Petersen (Live on 92.3 FM, KTAR.com and our YouTube channel at 6 p.m.; special reaction show at 7 p.m.)
• Sept. 30: Secretary of state with Adrian Fontes and Alexander Kolodin (Live on 92.3 FM, KTAR.com and our YouTube channel at 6 p.m.; special reaction show at 7 p.m.)
• Oct. 5: 4th Congressional District with Greg Stanton, Tisha Benoit and Zuhdi Jasser (KTAR YouTube livestream at 4 p.m.)
• Oct. 6: Governor with Andy Biggs, Teri Hourihan and Risa Lombardo (Live on 92.3 FM, KTAR.com and our YouTube channel at 6 p.m.; special reaction show at 7 p.m.)
• Oct. 7: 1st Congressional District with Jay Feely and Amish Shah (Live on 92.3 FM, KTAR.com and our YouTube channel at 6 p.m.; special reaction show at 7 p.m.)

KTAR News also will host a town hall to go over this year’s ballot propositions on Sept. 15.

The full general election debate schedule, including legislative races, can be found on the Clean Elections website. Voters can also submit potential debate questions there are email them to debates@azcleanelections.gov.

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