A couple of weeks back, GOP gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina was demanding she get an invite to KERA's January 14 debate at the Murchison Performing Arts Center on the University of North Texas campus. KERA spokesperson Meg Fullwood told us, look, she just needs to be patient: "We do not yet know whether Ms. Medina will meet the criteria, but we are continuing to gather information, and, if she does, she will be included." Looks like she passed the smell test: Fullwood sent word late yesterday that, yes, Medina will indeed stand alongside Governor Rick Perry and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in Denton one week from tomorrow:
KERA has determined the candidates for The Texas Debates: Race for Governor will include Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Debra Medina and Governor Rick Perry. Each candidate meets the viewpoint-neutral standards found in KERA's Criteria for Candidate Participation in KERA Broadcast Debates. Among the factors considered regarding Debra Medina's inclusion were whether she was conducting an active campaign and generating media and public interest. The criteria also allows for consideration of polling data. However, because there is sparse recent polling information, polls played a minor role in the decision to include Medina. The Texas Debates: Race for Governor takes place Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. This is a ticketed event by invitation only.Still no Paul Burka, though, who's also known to generate media and public interest.
