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01/29/2010 12:27 PM

Republican candidates prepare for last TV debate

By: Associated Press

Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
The Republican candidates for governor are gearing up for their final televised showdown before the March 2 primary elections.

The debate will be held Friday night at 7 p.m. at the WFAA-TV studios in Dallas.

Gov. Rick Perry, the longest serving Texas governor, faces top challenger Kay Bailey Hutchison, the state's senior U.S. senator. A third GOP contender, libertarian-leaning Debra Medina, also snagged a spot on stage after polls showed she had broken into double-digit support.

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Speaking to reporters in Austin Thursday, Perry said he doesn't need any special preparation ahead of the debate.

Hutchison spokeswoman Jennifer Baker said the longtime lawmaker would use the debate to tell voters she has a plan to address problems she believes have gone unaddressed under Perry.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina.
The debate will air live on Belo stations in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Texas Cable News will also carry it live, as will Belo-owned Web sites.

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