The big showdown between Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Republican challenger Jesse Kelly and Libertarian candidate Steven Stoltz is at 7 p.m. tonight in the first of three debates scheduled for this week. Christopher Conover of Arizona Public Media will be moderating and I'll be on board to ask questions alongside Dan Shearer of the Green Valley News and Emily Fritze of ASUA.

You can watch at home on Channel 6 or come on down to the UA Student Union to see it live. We're expecting a big crowd, so get there early for a good seat. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Details from AZPM here

The public is invited to the University of Arizona Student Union Ballroom for an Election 2010 forum with the candidates running for the Congressional seat in Arizona's 8th District. Gabrielle Giffords (D), Jesse Kelly (R) and Libertarian Steven Stoltz will debate the issues in this highly anticipated meeting of the candidates in a race that has drawn national attention.

Christopher Conover from Arizona Public Media will moderate and a distinguished panel of journalists will pose questions. The debate will begin promptly at 7 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m., doors will open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. All attendees must be seated by 6:45 p.m., and no

signage will be permitted in the ballroom. Parking will be available at Second Street Garage.

Arizona Public Media will air the Arizona Congressional District 8 Debate live Monday, Oct. 18 7PM on PBS-HD Channel 6, NPR-KUAZ 89.1FM/1550AM and online at http://ondemand.azpm.org.

The debate is a partnership between Arizona Public Media, Cox Communications, Associated Students of The University of Arizona, the Arizona Students' Association, and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.: