WCCO Radio is hosting its first candidate debate of the primary election season tomorrow.
Democratic candidates for the 5th District congressional seat being vacated by Keith Ellison will square off on the issues Thursday from noon-1:30, live on WCCO Radio, and moderated by Chad Hartman and Blois Olson.
"The district is younger, and it is much more diverse when it comes to people of color, who are much more likely to vote than they were 12 years ago. There's kind of a new energy among young millennials of color," says Olson.
Candidates participating in the debate are State Representative Ilhan Omar, State Senator Patricia Torres Ray, and former Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher.
With Congressman Keith Ellison's last-minute decision to not seek re-election but instead run for state Attorney General, Olson says the candidates haven't been around each other very much.
"I think they'll be feeling each other out. And if they're going to test each other, this is probably their first and maybe last chance to do so before the election."
The winner of the August 14th primary election will face Republican Jennifer Zielinski in November's general election.