(KNZA)--An ongoing back and forth between the two campaigns for the 62nd District Kansas House race comes to an end as the two sides agree to a debate. 

According to an announcement for the campaign of incumbent Republican Representative Randy Garber, the debate is set to happen this coming Thursday, as Democratic challenger Steve Lukert's campaign agrees to participate. 

The debate comes after the Garber campaign recently issued a challenge to Lukert but only if certain terms could be met. 

When the initial discussion fell through, a statement was released on behalf of Garber calling for the radio stations of KNZA and KMZA to host a live on-air debate, on specific dates, despite no contact having been made with radio station representation prior to the release of the statement. 

Now, a debate is scheduled for Thursday at Hiawatha's Fisher Center, but the public is not invited to attend. 

According to the release from the Garber campaign, “each candidate will be allowed 20 supporters to serve as an off camera studio audience.” In a clarification email, the campaign confirms that the debate audience will not include any uninvited members of the public, but a second debate, currently being negotiated would not be done in the same style. 

According to the release, the debate will be live streamed online by Rainbow Communications and later broadcast,  in its entirety, on local television by Rainbow.

The debate is scheduled to start at 7:00 Thursday evening.  

Matt Diehl, of the Seneca Courier-Tribune will serve as moderator, 

Questions will be submitted by the public, with a 7PM Tuesday deadline put in place. 

Details on how to submit can be found with this story on our website, mscnews.net. 

The full statement is below. 

          Garber and Lukert Campaigns Agree to First Debate on Oct 23

 SABETHA - The campaigns of Representative Randy Garber and Mr. Steve Lukert have agreed to terms on a televised debate that will be filmed this Thursday, October 23 at 7PM in the Harness Room of the Fisher Community Center in Hiawatha. 

Details of the debate are as follows:

Matt Diehl of The Courier-Tribune will serve as moderator

Candidates will be standing at lecterns facing the seated moderator

Each candidate will be allowed 20 supporters to serve as an off camera studio audience

Debate will be broadcast live online by Rainbow and will air in its entirety in the days  following the broadcast 

Debate will be one hour in length to include introductions and 3 minute opening and closing from each candidate

Questions may be submitted up to 48 hours in advance to Mr. Diehl via email (ctseneca@nvcs.com), mail, or social media (Courier-Tribune Facebook). Deadline to submit is tomorrow at 7PM.

Candidates are allowed two questions directly to each other

Each question from the moderator must be answered by each candidate with up to a :90 response

A :30 rebuttal will be allowed if the candidate is mentioned by name. Other rebuttals are at the discretion of the moderator

Both campaigns look forward to discussing the issues affecting District 62 at this debate. Debate negotiations are ongoing for a second debate next week. 

On this news, Randy Garber said, "I am proud that Mr. Lukert's campaign and my campaign were able to negotiate such a good event. I am especially proud that folks throughout the district will be able to see it in their homes either online or on television. This debate will undoubtedly be seen by more people than any other previous debate for District 62."

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                         Paid for by The Randy Garber Campaign Fund