Republican candidates running to face 2 term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Congressional District 8 (CD8) will meet for a debate on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Republicans Andy Goss, Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller are expected at the debate, sponsored by the Senior Government classes at Vail High School. This debate is to be moderated by 104.1 FM radio talk show host Jon Justice and University of Arizona political science associate professor Todd Lutes. LD 30 Republican State Senator Jonathan Paton just announced on Jan. 17 that he too is seeking this CD 8 seat. He will also be at this debate.

Andy Goss has mostly recently been a team leader on a Human Intelligence Support Team augmenting the US Army, Jesse Kelly is a Marine Corps combat veteran and works in his family construction business, and Brian Miller is a USAF reserve pilot and combat veteran. Paton was a military intelligence officer for the US Army Reserve. Thus, all four candidates have military backgrounds, unlike the Congresswoman they are challenging.

The debate will be at the Vail Theatre of the Arts, 10701 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, at 6 p.m.

For more information on Republican primary events, log onto Pima County Republican Party website — http://www.pimagop.org/.

Remember that the Arizona Primary election has been moved up to Tuesday, August 24. The winner of this Republican race will face Giffords in November 2nd’s General election.

Giffords’ previous Republican challengers were former LD 30 State Rep. Randy Graf, and LD 30 State Senate President Tim Bee.

If you miss this event on Jan. 26, there’s another debate (with all 4 candidates as well) on Feb. 11, 6 p.m. at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley. Event flyer here.

See you on the campaign trail.