ALDEN - 2024 Gubernatorial Nominees Governor Joshua Adamson and Joseph Cooke are now slated to face off for the first time on July 20, 2024. The location of the debate is however, not being revealed until July 18, 2024, for safety reasons, in response to Kirk Paul's murder.

The debate will kick off on July 20, as both candidates are introduced on stage. The two agreed to hold three debates, usually only two are held during Gubernatorial elections, as they both feel, gives voters ample time to get to know them. The first debate will focus on crime, the state's inflation, economic policy and criminal justice reform.

Incumbent Governor Joshua Adamson has a relatively strong grip on power, and his popularity is ever more strong. He has been polling with heavy leads over Cooke, is behind him by 25 points. This generally happens when a Nationalist tries to run against an incumbent Republican governor, as the incumbent usually gets the first round of polling to them.

Joseph Cooke, however remains strongly popular among voters who say Joshua Adamson and Republicans aren't doing enough to address inflation. They say they'd be much more likely to vote for a Nationalist, then Adamson because they're tired of "consistently paying high prices," and "being able to afford the bare minimum under Republican leadership."

"This debate will be a fiery one, as both candidates seek to grab as much support from the first debate as possible," said Nancy Yates a political analyst from News 28. "Cooke is young seeking the office while Governor Adamson is seeking to keep his job. Both are going to be cutthroat during the debates, more so during the first debate as they attempt to establish that support. It will be a fun watch."

Republicans have gripped control of Mesa for a decade under three different Republican governors. Nationalist law makers say they need to rip that control away from them as they have become "content in lacking on law making."