AZ Debates: Veteran Journalists to Helm High-Stakes 2026 Races

PHOENIX, AZ – April 08, 2026 – As Arizona gears up for a pivotal 2026 election cycle, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Clean Elections) today announced the roster of experienced journalists tasked with moderating the upcoming statewide and federal primary debates. In a continuing partnership with the Arizona Media Association (AMA), the state’s non-partisan voter education body has set the stage for a series of candidate forums designed to cut through campaign rhetoric and focus on substantive policy.

The debates are scheduled to begin at the end of May, providing voters a crucial first look at candidates vying for office ahead of the July 21 Primary Election. The full schedule is now available on the Clean Elections website.

"Moderators play an important role in debates and voters deserve to have skilled journalists in this capacity who will ask candidates the questions they would ask themselves if they were sitting in their chair," said Gina Roberts, Voter Education Director at Clean Elections. "We anticipate moderators will lead an exchange that is substantive, fair and that creates an environment where candidates have the opportunity to get deeper into policy topics."

Guardians of Impartiality in a Polarized State

In an era of deep political polarization, the role of an impartial debate moderator has never been more critical. The partnership between Clean Elections and the AMA aims to address this by enlisting a team of respected, award-winning journalists known for their work across Arizona’s media landscape. The selected moderators for the 2026 cycle include:

• Danielle Lerner, an Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly two decades in broadcast media, including over ten years as a local anchor and reporter in Phoenix and Southern Arizona.
• Kathleen Bade, a 14-time Emmy winner and Arizona State University alumna with over 30 years of experience as a news anchor in major markets.
• Olivia Fierro, a veteran television news anchor and reporter with more than two decades of experience known for her ability to dissect complex issues.
• Steve Goldstein, an award-winning public radio host and reporter with 25 years of experience in Phoenix, primarily with KJZZ/NPR, and a familiar face from the 2024 Clean Elections debates.

The selection underscores a strategy to leverage the high level of trust that, according to AMA studies, Arizonans continue to place in local media. With 86% of residents holding a neutral or positive opinion of local news, the moderators are positioned to serve as credible proxies for the electorate.

"Debate moderators are in effect the voice of the electorate and we believe the journalists that we have assembled are absolutely up for this important task," affirmed Tregg White, President and CEO of the Arizona Media Association. "We trust in their ability to be impartial while cutting through standard talking points with follow up questions that ensure the exchange remains focused on the issues that impact our residents' daily lives."

Setting the Stage for a Contentious 2026 Election

The upcoming debates will serve as the first major battleground for candidates in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive election year for the battleground state. The forums will provide an early test of campaign messaging, policy depth, and on-stage temperament.

Key statewide races will be in the spotlight. Governor Katie Hobbs is seeking a second term, and the Republican primary is already heating up with declared candidacies from U.S. Representative Andy Biggs and others. The 2026 election will also feature the state’s first-ever election for Lieutenant Governor, a position created by a 2022 proposition. Other crucial contests include races for Secretary of State, where incumbent Adrian Fontes is seeking re-election, and Attorney General, with incumbent Kris Mayes also running again.

Beyond the statewide offices, all nine of Arizona's U.S. House seats are up for election, as are all 90 seats in the Arizona State Legislature. Clean Elections has also announced a specific partnership with the Arizona Agenda to produce and moderate the numerous legislative debates, ensuring voters have insight into their local district races.

With the candidate filing deadline for CCEC participation having passed in late March, the stage is set for these early debates to significantly shape public perception and media narratives well ahead of the November general election.

A Commitment to Unprecedented Access and Engagement

Building on past successes, Clean Elections and the AMA are implementing a robust distribution and accessibility plan to ensure the debates reach the widest possible audience. The partnership with the AMA provides access to a network of nearly 400 local media brands, including television stations, radio broadcasters, newspapers, and digital-only outlets in every county of the state.

This model proved highly effective in the 2024 election cycle, which saw 80 media partners utilize and distribute debate content over 1,600 times, generating approximately 1,500 hours of total viewing time. The 2026 plan will again feature statewide simulcasting of major debates and regional distribution for local contests, all produced at SNEAKY BIG studios in Scottsdale.

Significantly, the commission is expanding its commitment to inclusivity. All live television debates will be simulcast with Spanish audio translation, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, and full closed captioning. This multi-layered approach is designed to remove barriers and ensure that more Arizonans, regardless of language or ability, can access these vital civic forums.

Furthermore, Clean Elections is actively encouraging direct voter participation. Residents are invited to submit their own questions for the candidates by emailing [email protected] or by calling 602-364-3477. This process allows the moderators to infuse the debates with the specific concerns of citizens from across the state, ensuring the discussions remain grounded in the real-world issues affecting Arizona families. For the latest updates, voters can follow Clean Elections on its social media channels.