The decision of Central Texas Republican Congressman Bill Flores not to seek a sixth term triggered the largest flood of candidate filings in the 16-year history of the 17th Congressional District, which was drawn during a contentious remap following the 2000 census and stretches between Waco and Bryan College Station.
From 6:30 to 9pm on Saturday, Jan. 25, KBTX in Bryan and KWTX in Waco will host back-to-back forums on the Texas A&M University campus featuring all 12 of the Republicans and two of the three Democrats running for the seat.
The Democratic forum will be broadcast live simultaneously on KBTX and KWTX and streamed on the stations’ websites and social media pages from 6:30 to 7pm on Jan. 25, followed immediately by the Republican forum from 7 to 9pm
“We recognize that there are more choices to make in the race for District 17 than almost any in recent memory, and we want to help every voter in District 17 get the information they need before heading to the polls,” says KBTX/KWTX Vice President and General Manager Josh Young. “We share our viewers’ interest in the future of our community, and it’s our goal and responsibility to make sure our next representative in Congress understands the needs and values of our diverse community.”
The 12 Republican candidates who have committed to participate include former Dallas area Congressman Pete Sessions, a Waco native; Waco home builder Scott Bland; George W. Hindman of Round Rock, who works in research and development; Ahmad Adnan, an Austin financial advisor; Todd Kent of Bryan, who works in higher education; Marine Corps veteran Trent Sutton; Waco real estate agent Kristen Alamo Rowin; Robinson real estate agent Laurie Godfrey McReynolds; civic activist David Saucedo of Waco; College Station businesswoman and City Council member Elianor Vessali; Army veteran Jeff Oppenheim; and Brazos Eye Surgery co-owner Renee Swan of Waco.
Democrats William Foster III of Hearne, a retired business owner, and Richard Kennedy of Pflugerville, a project manager, have agreed to participate as well. Democrat David Anthony Jaramillo of Waco declined because of a fundraising commitment.
The forum will be moderated by KBTX anchor-reporter Karla Castillo and KWTX anchor-political reporter Tara Mergener, who will pose a series of questions to each of the candidates formulated with input from the residents of the district.
The forum, which is not open to the public, will be televised from Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M campus with the support of the George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service.
