U.S. Senate candidates Erskine Bowles and Richard Burr will spar off in their first statewide-televised debate Monday, September 27 at 7 PM on UNC-TV.

Sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation, the two candidates will debate before a live audience. National Public Radio anchor Carl Kasell will moderate the debate. UNC-TV is producing and holding the debate in their studios in Research Triangle Park.

UNC-TV and the Foundation have extended invitations to Governor Michael Easley and Senator Patrick Ballantine for a Gubernatorial debate. Senator Ballantine has accepted the invitation for the debate, and discussions continue with representatives from Governor Easley's campaign.

Each candidate will have one and a half minutes to answer each question, followed by a one minute rebuttal.

Foundation representatives say they are pleased to be partnering with UNC-TV.

"We, as broadcasters, are pleased to offer the candidates this free broadcast time," said Ardie Gregory, president of the Foundation. "These broadcasts will provide all of the voters of North Carolina an opportunity to see and hear the candidates and evaluate their views and positions on the critical issues facing the state and nation."

UNC-TV is North Carolina's only statewide broadcasting system, made possible through a unique partnership of public investment and private support. UNC-TV's commitment to producing and broadcasting local and national programs about our state resources make it one of the state's most important sources of information. For more information about UNC-TV and its programs, please visit www.unctv.org.

-UNC-TV-