As Student Senate kicks off its Get Out the Vote campaign this week, it already has one victory that will encourage student votes. The four major candidates for governor have agreed to debate on the UW-Eau Claire campus.

“The only challenge now is to make sure we get them all there on the same day,” Tom Giffey, debate committee chairman of the Western Wisconsin Press Club, said.

Attorney General and Democratic candidate Jim Doyle, Libertarian candidate Ed Thompson and Wisconsin Green Party nominee Jim Young have confirmed that they will take part in a debate from 7 to 8 p.m., Oct. 16.

Republican Gov. Scott McCallum has tentatively agreed to the time, provided a conflicting event can be rescheduled. McCallum’s campaign said the governor would participate if the debate were scheduled for 7 p.m., Oct. 14.

“I just want to make sure we have a good debate on campus that gets students out to vote,” said Craig Smith, director of Student Senate’s academic affairs commission. He added that he is fairly confident the debate will be Oct. 16.

Mary Jo Wagner of National Public Radio will moderate the one-hour forum sponsored by the Western Wisconsin Press Club, www.WisPolitics.com and Student Senate.

A panel of journalists, made up of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram’s managing editor Doug Mell, WAYY-AM’s Jodi Becker and www.WisPolitics.com President and editor Jeff Mayers, will present questions to the candidates. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

The debate will be carried live on Wisconsin Public Radio station WHWC-FM (88.3), NewsTalk 790 WAYY-AM and Community Television in Eau Claire.

Gantner Concert Hall in Haas Fine Arts Center has been reserved for the debate, but depending on interest, it may be moved to Zorn Arena, Giffey said.

“This is a crown jewel for us,” Smith said. “It is great for our efforts to get students out to vote.”