APS to Host Historic Gubernatorial Debate

First Debate Between Denish, Martinez to Address Educational Issues

August 2, 2010

Albuquerque Public Schools will sponsor the historic first debate on public education between gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. Diane Denish and District Attorney Susana Martinez at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, in the performing arts center at Eldorado High School. The debate, to be moderated by APS Superintendent Winston Brooks, will be the first between two women seeking the state’s top office.

“Public education is one of the most important issues New Mexico’s new governor will need to tackle, therefore it seems like the perfect focus for the candidates’ first debate, a historic event that we’re excited to sponsor,” said Brooks. “We look forward to learning where District Attorney Martinez and Lt. Gov. Denish stand on the various issues that impact K-12 education.”

Questions for Lt. Gov. Denish, the Democratic candidate, and District Attorney Martinez, the Republican candidate, will be solicited ahead of time from members of the APS Board of Education, its leadership team and the community. Invited guests will include APS students, teachers, administrators and the Board of Education among others.

“The education of our children is one of the most pressing and critical issues confronting New Mexico,” stated gubernatorial candidate Martinez. “Today, too many of our students are struggling to learn how to read, write and solve basic math problems. Too many are not meeting grade level achievement. With 40 percent of New Mexico’s high school students not graduating, we have a great deal of work to do to ensure greater accountability in our education system and improve results. That starts by directing more resources into our classroom, refusing to accept a culture of low expectations and demanding improvement."

“It’s critical that the people of New Mexico have opportunities to hear the candidates debate and discuss the most pressing issues facing our families,” said Lt. Gov. Denish. There’s nothing more important than our children and their futures, so it’s appropriate that the first gubernatorial debate focus on New Mexico’s public education system. I look forward to laying out my vision for how we can strengthen our public schools and ensure that every New Mexico child has the knowledge and tools needed to succeed.” 

Eldorado High School is located at 11300 Montgomery Blvd. NE (map). The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 2. New Mexico has never had as woman governor, making this a historic election.

The debate will air live on KANW-FM (89.1) in Albuquerque. Live audio will be streamed on the APS website. A series of videos from the debate will also be posted on the website following the event.