With the state elections getting closer, some of the Eau Claire media are helping the community decide which gubernatorial candidate to vote for by sponsoring a debate.

Students, faculty and community members will have a chance to ask questions of four of the state’s gubernatorial candidates at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Zorn Arena.

“We thought it would be a good idea to bring something like this to Eau Claire,” local reporter Tom Giffey said.

Giffey and Christena O’Brien, who are reporters for the Leader-Telegram, worked on sponsoring the event.

Gov. Scott McCallum, R-Wis.; Jim Doyle, D-Wis.; Ed Thompson, Libertarian-Wis.; and Jim Young, Green party-Wis., all will have a brief introductory statement and the rest of the discussion will be question-and-answer, Giffey said. A panel will ask questions first and then the floor is open to audience members for their questions, he said.

Having the third party candidates there, in addition to the Republican and Democratic, is a big opportunity for their campaigns, Giffey said.

“We’re in a unique year politically,” he said.

Since they have less money compared to Doyle and McCallum for television ads, this will be a good chance for Young and Thompson to get their message out, Giffey said.

He also recommends people who intend to ask questions of the candidates come early. This will allow the panel time to review them. Those interested should come at 6 p.m., he said.

The panel will consist of Jeff Mayers, president and editor of WisPolitics.com, Doug Mell, managing editor of the Leader-Telegram and Jodi Becker, a reporter for Central Radio Group. The panel now is deciding what will be the specific issues, Giffey said.

How to fix the state budget and funding for schools and universities will be some likely topics, Giffey said.

This is the first time an event like this will be broadcast live in Wisconsin said Sarah Schuh, Student Senate president.

In the hour that the debate is scheduled to last, Giffey said the candidates could each talk about broad campaign speeches that they normally give to the public. But he hopes this will be a chance for them to answer the questions with specific answers and to show how the candidates interact with people, he said.

“It’s a great experience for students to see a debate first hand,” Schuh said.

The event is free and no tickets are required.