Iowa 1st District candidates to debate Oct. 8 in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Despite a voter registration disadvantage, Rod Blum says he's coming into his first debate with his Democratic opponent, state Rep. Pat Murphy, with a lead in the polls.

Or at least a poll.

Murphy, a former speaker of the Iowa House, and Blum, a Dubuque businessman, will meet in a live, televised debate at 7 p.m. on KCRG 9.2. The debate, sponsored by The Gazette and KCRGTV-9, will be in Sinclair Auditorium at Coe College. It will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required.

The meeting of the candidates for the U.S. House 1st District seat now held by Democrat Rep. Bruce Braley will be rebroadcast on KCRG 9.2 at 7 p.m. Oct. 22.

The debate, according to Blum spokesman Keegan Conway, is another opportunity for Blum to 'share his common sense solutions” and tell voters how he will work to create more opportunity for middle class Iowans.

He's also seek to 'draw a strong contrast between his real world private sector experience and his opponents' career as a politician,” Conway said.

Aaron Bly, Murphy's campaign manager said there is a clear choice between 'Pat Murphy who has been a constant fighter for working families and Iowa seniors and Rod Blum who was investigated for cheating workers out of overtime pay, would raise the retirement age and privatize Social Security.”

Blum and Murphy will meet for a second debate Oct. 18 in Waterloo.

Blum's campaign is buoyed by a poll from The Polling Company showing him leading Murphy 40 percent to 39 percent among likely voters with a 4.9 percent margin of error.

The key finding, according to Conway, is that it's the third straight poll showing Blum increasing his support. Among the take-aways:

' Blum leads by 6 points among self-identified no party voters who make up 40 percent of the 1st District registered voters.

' He has a 2-point lead among voters who say they have definitely decided which candidate they will support.

' Blum leads by 6 points among voters 65 and older.

' By a 49 to 40 percent voters said they want a GOP congressman who will be a check on President Barack Obama.

KCRGTV-9 will carry two more debates before the Nov. 4 election. It will carry the third and final debate between U.S. Senate candidates Braley and state Sen. Joni Ernst live from Sioux City at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 on KCRG 9.2.

At 8 p.m. Oct. 22, KCRGTV-9 9.2 will carry the Iowa House 68 debate between Rep. Daniel Lundby, D-Marion, and Republican challenger Ken Rizer of Cedar Rapids.

'Offering these debates to our viewers is an important part of our commitment to keeping our viewers informed,” said Adam Carros, KCRG-TV9 news director.

Debate coverage is part of The Gazette-KCRGTV-9 election coverage that will include complete coverage of the election and election night results on-air, in the paper and online at www.kcrg.com or www.thegazette.com.

In the Cedar Rapids area, KCRG 9.2 can be found on Mediacom channel 109 and ImOn channel 709. A full channel listing can be found at www.kcrg.com/9point2.