DFW Press & Media Club launches free candidate debates and interviews

The DFW Press & Media Club has launched The Candidate Conversations, a free live debate and interview series running Oct. 9-23 across Texas and Dallas County races. The broadcasts aim to give voters direct access to candidates before early voting begins Oct. 19 and the Nov. 4 general election.

Why it matters: - The series gives North Texas voters a direct look at candidates on issues that will shape the November general election, including school funding, grid security, property taxes and county budgets. - The broadcasts are free, live and open to the public, which lowers the barrier to civic participation ahead of early voting, Oct. 19-30. - The format is designed to replace soundbite-style campaign coverage with longer candidate answers and a more detailed public record.

What happened: - The DFW Press & Media Club announced The Candidate Conversations, a live debate and candidate interview series for October 2026. - The series runs from Oct. 9 to Oct. 23 and focuses on Texas statewide races and Dallas County contests. - Jeff Crilley, a veteran broadcaster, hosts the series. - WFAA news anchor Jason Wheeler moderates the Oct. 22 Dallas County Commissioner District 2 debate. - Featured races include Texas Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Railroad Commission and Dallas County Commissioner District 2.

The details: - The Oct. 9 program is a live statewide interview for Texas Comptroller featuring Sarah Eckhardt, the Democratic candidate, with Jeff Crilley hosting. - The Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller was invited to participate. - The Oct. 22 Dallas County Commissioner District 2 debate will feature incumbent Andrew Sommerman, a Democrat, against Barry Wernick, a Republican. - The League of Women Voters of Dallas is co-hosting the county debate. - The Oct. 22 debate is set for noon at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce Auditorium, 5710 LBJ Fwy, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75240. - The county debate is open to the public, and attendees must RSVP to hello@dfwpmc.org. - The Oct. 22 afternoon program is a live candidate showcase for the Texas Railroad Commission race with State Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Democrat, and Bo French, a Republican. - The Oct. 23 program is a live statewide interview for Texas Land Commissioner featuring Ben Flores, the Democratic candidate. - The Republican nominee for Texas Land Commissioner was invited to participate. - All events are free and stream live on the DFWPMC YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn channels. - Full video archives will be posted on demand after each broadcast. - Recorded video episodes and audio links will also be distributed across major platforms including YouTube, Facebook and Spotify. - Studio broadcasts have limited seating, and press crews should request credentials in advance at hello@dfwpmc.org. - The series also includes support from The League of Women Voters of Dallas on the county debate.

Between the lines: - DFWPMC is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional journalism and digital-first media, using livestreams, on-demand video and audio distribution to reach voters where they already consume news. - The club says the format is meant to restore depth to local political coverage at a time when local news coverage has shrunk and campaign advertising has grown more partisan and compressed. - Laura Schakosky, the series producer, said the broadcasts are intended to create space for discussion of complex issues such as state budget transparency, energy grid security and county infrastructure. - JoAnne Asenime, the executive producer, said the multi-platform approach is designed so no voter is left out. - Sponsors include Carol Donovan, P.C. and Krisi Kastl of Kastl Law, P.C.

What's next: - The first broadcast is scheduled for Oct. 9. - The Dallas County Commissioner debate follows on Oct. 22, with early voting already underway that week. - DFWPMC will continue publishing full recordings and audio versions after each event. - Media inquiries and press credential requests go to hello@dfwpmc.org, and additional information is available at the club's website.