Kaul and Toney Will Debate on October 11
Wisconsin Attorney General candidates Josh Kaul and Eric Toney will meet for their only televised joint debate.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Elections
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Incumbent Attorney General Josh Kaul and challenger Eric Toney have agreed to a televised debate scheduled for October 11. The event will be recorded at WISN-TV studios and will serve as the candidates' only joint appearance before the general election.
Why it matters
This debate provides voters with their singular opportunity to view both candidates in a direct, televised exchange before they head to the polls. It serves as a critical window for the public to compare the platforms of the incumbent and the Fond du Lac County district attorney.
The debate takes place October 11, appearing as the sole joint forum ahead of the November 3 general election. It will be moderated by Matt Smith and Gerron Jordan.
The players
Josh Kaul
He is the incumbent Attorney General of Wisconsin running for reelection.
Eric Toney
He serves as the Fond du Lac County district attorney and is the challenger for the Attorney General seat.
Matt Smith
He is one of two moderators appointed to lead the televised discussion between the candidates.
Gerron Jordan
He is a moderator scheduled to assist in questioning the candidates during the debate broadcast.
The details
The upcoming televised event will be hosted on the program UPFRONT and taped within the WISN-TV studios. This session is set to be the only time both candidates share a stage for public debate.
Timeline
The attorney general debate occurs on October 11, 2026.
A full debate recap will be published on October 12, 2026.
The general election takes place on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opposition groups often argue that restricted debate formats limit transparency, claiming that a single joint appearance is insufficient for voters to scrutinize policy differences. These critics frequently advocate for multiple regional forums to better expose candidates to broader questioning.
Wisconsin voters can use this televised appearance to evaluate how each candidate plans to handle state legal issues before casting their ballots on November 3. The debate provides a direct look at how the incumbent and the challenger address the specific regulatory and safety concerns facing the state.
The takeaway
This debate stands as the definitive public forum for candidates to differentiate their records before the November election. Residents should treat this broadcast as their primary chance to compare candidate stances on attorney general responsibilities.
What happens next
A full recap of the debate will be available in the October 12, 2026, WisPolitics AM update.
Further reading
For more on the current state of state-level races, visit Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WISN.
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