Congressional candidates gear up For Sunday debate, urge people to vote

We’re exactly a month from the November 4th mid-term election, and here in the Coachella Valley, the race between incumbent Congressman Raul Ruiz and his challenger Assemblyman Brian Nestande is heating up.

Sunday night both candidates will come face-to-face for their first and only debate airing live on KESQ News Channel 3/CBS Local 2.

It’s also getting down to crunch time for the two candidates running to represent the 36th Congressional District. With only four weeks left to the election, they’re urging voters to make sure their vote counts.

“Because that’s what makes us a democracy. The best democracy in the world is the engagement of every single individual who can vote,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz.

Historically across the state voter turnout during the mid-term elections has been low.

“It’s important to vote, we think it’s a great civic duty, its good for the republic that people are participating. So, by having people actually contact, face-to-face talk about issues, it’s great to get feedback,” Assemblyman Nestande said.

State Assemblyman Brian Nestande is looking to unseat Congressman Ruiz. He wants to turn the now blue district back to red. He spent Saturday morning visiting neighborhoods, reminding people the importance of their vote.

“The best way to contact the voters we believe is face-to-face and door-to-door so that’s what we’re doing.” Assemblyman Nestande said.

Congressman Ruiz said he’s also taking the same approach asking supporters to mail in their ballots or to hit the polls on November 4th.

“We’re making phone calls, we’re knocking on doors, we’re doing everything that a campaign should be doing making sure people understand the difference and the consequences of not voting,” Ruiz said.

And voters will have a choice to make, one that both candidates hope will be clear after Sunday night’s one and only debate.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity to demonstrate the differences between Assemblyman Brian Nestande and myself and the different priorities,” said Congressman Ruiz.

“I’m feeling great, and really the best way for me to practice is to be out with people like this, talking to them, hearing what they have to say,” Nestande said about the debate.

The debate will take place Sunday, October 5th at 6 p.m. You can catch it on air and online, we’ll broadcast it live on our website.