Florida Press Association/Florida Society of News Editors Announce Gubernatorial Forum Details

Submitted by Nancy Smith on May 23, 2014 - 5:36pm

David Dunn-Rankin, Florida Press Association chair, and Bob Gabordi, Florida Society of News Editors president, announced in a written statement Friday details for the first forums for Floridas 2014 gubernatorial candidates.

They will take place at the organization's annual meeting, more than a month ahead of the primaries, but -- as in previous gubernatorial election years -- presenting an opportunity for editors to hear all candidates address the issues and clarify their positions.

The July meeting is part of the annual convention of both organizations and will be July 10 and 11 at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. It is open to members of both organizations for a registration fee, and members of the working press are welcome to attend the gubernatorial forums without charge. Risers will be provided for broadcast media.

The forums are open to any candidate meeting the established criteria (available atwww.flpress.com/2014convention). Gov. Rick Scott, former governor Charlie Crist and former Florida Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich have been invited to participate.

In an email to the Florida Press Association, the Scott campaign noted that [the campaign] appreciates the invitation and will make decisions about debates and forums at an appropriate time. Charlie Crist and Nan Rich have accepted the invitation.

The first forum will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10. The rest of the afternoonwill be filled with industry-oriented programs. The second forum will be at 8:45 a.m.Friday, July 11.

Terry Spencer, Associated Press editor for Florida, will serve as moderator, and a panelto include three editors and reporters from Florida newspapers will be decided at a laterdate. Each participating candidate will be given 10 minutes to make his or her openingremarks, and then the panel will have approximately 15 minutes to ask questions of thecandidate. The candidates will then be given three minutes for their closing remarks.

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