Bielarski, Ward to debate twice in coming weeks  

Gainesville mayoral candidates Ed Bielarski and Harvey Ward (right).
Gainesville mayoral candidates Ed Bielarski and Harvey Ward (right).

Gainesville mayoral candidates Ed Bielarski and Harvey Ward will participate in two debates in the next two weeks as the Nov. 8 elections approach. 

The first debate will happen virtually at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Moderated by WCJB’s David Synder, the debate will stream on their website along with Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV streaming devices. It will not be broadcast on the station’s channel.   

Voters can submit questions online

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The second debate will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at UF’s Levin College of Law (309 Village Dr.) just two weeks before the polls open.  

The debate is open to the public with limited seating available and will also be livestreamed at WUFT News and The Gainesville Sun’s websites. The audio will also go out over WUFT-FM 89.1. You can reserve free tickets here.  

Journalists from WUFT and the Sun will create questions for the coming debate. The public may also submit questions to gainesvillevoice@gmail.com or on Twitter through #GNVoice.   

The candidates answered questions last weekend at a separate candidate forum that included Gainesville commission seats, Alachua County seats and other local candidates. During the forum, Bielarski and Ward spoke on creating a vibrant local economy, and Ward said a lot of issues could be solved with UF paying livable wages.  

Both candidates entered the mayoral race in the spring and joined seven others on the August ballot. Ward came through with 28% of the vote; Bielarski followed with 26%. After the race, Gainesville Commissioner David Arreola, who also ran for mayor and garnered 15% of the vote, endorsed Ward.  

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Neal and Elaine Spencer

We know Harvey Ward and believe he will be the best man for job.