Gray Media Will Host 100 Midterm Election Debates
Gray Television stations across the country are providing voters direct access to candidates through live forums.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you find local media debates helpful when deciding how to vote in your elections?
Gray Media will host more than 100 candidate debates and forums ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. The broadcaster, which reaches 37% of US households, has already carried over 90 of these events during the current cycle.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to provide local communities with essential information by allowing voters to hear directly from candidates in competitive races. Broadcasters play a critical role in facilitating civic engagement ahead of national voting deadlines.
Gray Media owns 117 full-power television stations that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The network has already facilitated more than 90 debates and forums throughout the current election cycle.
The players
Gray Media
Gray Media is an Atlanta-based broadcasting company that owns 117 full-power television stations and reaches over one-third of American households.
Jon Ossoff
Jon Ossoff is a candidate participating in a scheduled Georgia U.S. Senate debate on October 8, 2026.
Mike Collins
Mike Collins is a candidate participating in a scheduled Georgia U.S. Senate debate on October 8, 2026.
The details
Gray Media is providing airtime and production support for live debates and candidate forums across its local market footprint. These programs are being broadcast and streamed live on local news station platforms to ensure accessibility for voters in various states.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: Georgia and South Carolina Gubernatorial debates.
October 8, 2026: Georgia U.S. Senate and South Carolina Congressional debates.
October 11, 2026: Augusta healthcare forum broadcast begins.
October 13, 2026: Maine U.S. Senate debate broadcast.
November 2026: Midterm elections occur.
Political Context
Opponents of increased media-led debates sometimes argue that hosting entities may exert editorial bias in the selection of debate topics or moderators. Critics often prefer independent, non-partisan commissions to manage candidate forums to ensure strict neutrality during high-stakes elections.
Voters in markets served by Gray Media stations can expect increased access to candidate positions and platforms through live televised events. Residents should check their local station listings to confirm the exact broadcast times for debates occurring in their specific districts.
The takeaway
Engaging with local debates allows voters to evaluate candidate policy proposals directly before heading to the polls in November. Monitoring local station alerts can help you participate in the democratic process and stay informed on relevant local issues.
What happens next
Debates in Georgia and South Carolina are scheduled for October 6 and 8, 2026, followed by an Augusta healthcare forum on October 11 and a Maine U.S. Senate debate on October 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming races, visit the Elections section.
Live Poll
Do you find local media debates helpful when deciding how to vote in your elections?
