WOOD TV8 governor debates draw near

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - WOOD TV8 will host two debates next week with the candidates who want to be Michigan's next governor.

On Monday, Democrats Andy Dillon and Virg Bernero will face each other. Then on Thursday, June 24, Republicans Mike Bouchard, Mike Cox, Tom George and Pete Hoekstra will answer questions. GOP candidate Rick Snyder has indicated he will not participate.

The debates will be televised on WOOD TV8 and streamed on woodtv.com beginning at 7 p.m. Viewers can also participate during the debate with their comments on CoverItLive on woodtv.com, and can submit questions through the WOOD TV8 Facebook page.

Each debate will be held at the Loosemore Auditorium on the downtown campus of Grand Valley State University. The event is not open to the public, though a small audience has been invited by each campaign.

For the Democrats, each candidate will have opening and closing statements of one minute each. Each candidate will have two minutes to respond to each question asked, and the candidates will have the chance to rebut three times during the debate.

The GOP rules will be slightly different. Details will be announced next week.