The candidates for Idaho superintendent of public instruction, Republican Debbie Critchfield and Democrat Terry Gilbert, will square off in a televised debate next week as they gear up for the Nov. 8 general election.

Monday’s debate, which will air at 8 p.m. MDT and 7 p.m. PDT, is this election cycle’s third televised matchup in the Idaho Debates, a long-running statewide series held in partnership between Idaho Public Television, the Idaho Press Club, Idaho Votes, the League of Women Voters of Idaho and the state’s public universities.

The two candidates will field questions from a panel of reporters. Their answers will be restricted to 90 seconds, with 60 seconds for rebuttal.

The debate will be broadcast live on Idaho Public Television and its Youtube page.

EdNews has closely followed both candidates’ campaigns in the runup to the election.

To learn about Critchfield’s history on the State Board of Education, stances on school choice and fundraising efforts:

• Meet Debbie Critchfield, Republican nominee for state superintendent.

• Read the GOP candidate’s answers to EdNews’ candidate questionnaire.

• Listen to EdNews reporter Kevin Richert’s podcast interview with Critchfield.

For more on Gilbert’s background in the classroom, work with the state’s teachers union and his opposition to school vouchers:

• Meet Terry Gilbert, Democratic nominee for state superintendent.

• Read the Democratic candidate’s answers to EdNews’ candidate questionnaire.

• Listen to Gilbert’s interview on the Kevin Richert Podcast.

To read about both candidates’ fundraising and campaign strategies:

• Assembling an awkward alliance, Critchfield builds on fundraising edge.
• Superintendent candidates gear up for final weeks to election.

Superintendent’s debate is a go, but other debates were canceled

The superintendent’s debate will be one of four televised matchups in the Idaho Debates series. In recent weeks, candidates for attorney general and U.S. Senate faced off in the debate series. Candidates for lieutenant governor will debate on Oct. 28.

Past debates are on demand on IPTV’s website.

But IPTV canceled debates for governor, controller, treasurer, secretary of state and both U.S. House seats after too many candidates declined to participate.

Prior to the gubernatorial debate, incumbent Gov. Brad Little declined to face opponents Steven Heidt and Ammon Bundy, leading Heidt to follow suit. U.S. Rep.s Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher pulled out of their debates as well, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

Democratic candidates for controller, secretary of state and treasurer also declined or did not respond to IPTV.

For more on the debates, listen to the most recent episode of the Kevin Richert Podcast, where IPTV debate moderator Melissa Davlin discusses the process leading up to this season’s debates.

Check back for full coverage of Monday night’s debate.