Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Republican Gov. Rick Scott have sparred at a distance for months.
But with the Nov. 6 election approaching, Nelson and Scott are poised for a head-to-head clash in their race for Nelson’s seat. The two will debate Tuesday in a South Florida television studio and the debate itself will be broadcast later in the day.
It remains unclear, of course, how much the debate will affect the campaign. Neither candidate is known for soaring oratory. But each will try to score points on what they consider compelling issues -- and hope the other guy slips up.
The outcome of the race is critical, both for Florida and the U.S. Senate. Republicans are trying to maintain control of the closely divided Senate, and winning Nelson’s seat would bolster the GOP’s chances.
In Florida, Nelson has been the last Democrat standing as Republicans have controlled every other statewide office since the 2010 elections. Democrats hope to capture other statewide offices in November, but re-electing Nelson is crucial for the party.
The debate will be taped at 11 a.m., Telemundo 51 studios, 15000 S.W. 27th St., Miramar. Air time at 7 p.m. on Telemundo stations in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Fort Myers, Tampa and West Palm Beach markets and across the stations’ digital and mobile platforms.
