Young voter group sponsoring gubernatorial debate

Nevada's two major party gubernatorial candidates will debate before an audience of college-aged voters later this month.

Ryan Costella, head of Youth Voice, said the details were worked out with the campaign camps of Republican Jim Gibbons and Democrat Dina Titus on Tuesday.

Spokesman Andrew Pederson said the debate will be held at the University of Nevada, Reno campus Sept. 25 from 6-7 p.m. in Nightingale Hall at the Church Fine Arts building.

Pederson said the debate will be "town hall" style with audience members asking questions as well as statements from the candidates.

He said because of time constraints, only Titus and Gibbons will participate and that it is aimed at attracting students 18-25.

"We really want this to be focused on youth issues," he said.

Costella, a political science major at the campus, founded Youth Voice as a non-partisan, non-profit organization to increase interest among high school and college-aged citizen in politics and government. He said in an earlier interview the purpose is to get more voters under the age of 26 involved.

He said Youth Voice is sponsoring the debate on partnership with the Young Democrats and campus Republicans.

Costella said Youth Voice itself doesn't take sides but wants to ensure that the candidates who participate answer questions that concern young Americans.

This is one of two events Youth Voice is putting together this campaign season. The second the group is working on is a debate Oct. 2 between candidates for the Carson City School Board. That event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Carson City Community Center's Sierra Room.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.