What's at Issue?

WHYY's Tracey Matisak talks to Pennsylvania's gubernatorial candidates
By Jill Zayszly

On Thursday, April 4 at 8 p.m., WHYY's News and Public Affairs service, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Public Television Network and working with the Pennsylvania Economy League's Issues PA project, will present Issues PA: Meet the Candidates.

This important two-hour special will be broadcast on WHYY TV12, 91FM and www.whyy.org and will feature in-depth interviews with three of Pennsylvania's gubernatorial candidates, each of whom will be involved in the state's primary elections on May 21.

WHYY's Tracey Matisak will sit down for individual conversations with Democrats Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Edward G. Rendell. Republican Mike Fisher will also be interviewed.

Broken into separate features, the program will take an introspective look at each of these candidates and include thorough examinations of each person's life experiences, platforms, education and careers.

As the state's Auditor General and the son of former governor Bob Casey, Robert Casey, Jr. has a long history in Pennsylvania politics, as does former Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell.

Video biographies of Casey, Rendell and Fisher will provide voters with essential background information on the candidates and present the issues that are at the center of their campaigns.

The program will also reflect on the history of the Pennsylvania Governor's Office. In 2001, Pennsylvanians witnessed an historic moment when Mark Schweiker was appointed governor as Tom Ridge assumed a new role as head of the nation's Office of Homeland Security after the tragic events of September 11.

As the race for governor heats up in the coming months, WHYY will continue to bring viewers and listeners up-to-the-minute campaign coverage on TV12, 91FM and www.whyy.org, examining the impact that the course of events will have on life in the Delaware Valley. Tracey Matisak and Marty Moss-Coane, host of 91FM's Radio Times, will host election-night coverage on November 5.

The two-hour special Issues PA: Meet the Candidates airs Thursday, April 4 at 8 p.m. on WHYY TV12, 91FM and www.whyy.org.

Important Dates for PA Voters
For current information from Pennsylvania's Department of State, including important voter registration information, visit www.dos.state.pa.us.

May 21: General Primary
April 22: Last day to register to vote before the primary election
October 7: Last day to register to vote before the general election
November 5: General Election

Who's Who
Browse the following Web sites for more information about the candidates for governor of Pennsylvania:

Robert P. Casey, Jr. www.caseyforgovernor.com
Mike Fisher www.mikefisher.com
Michael Morrill www.michaelmorrill.org
Edward G. Rendell www.rendellforgovernor.com

Tune In
Stay tuned to WHYY TV12 and 91FM for ongoing campaign coverage:

Morning Edition Weekdays beginning at 6 a.m. on 91FM
Radio Times Weekdays beginning at 10 a.m. on 91FM
Talk to the PA Representatives The leaders of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will answer questions about pertinent issues from viewers across the state during this live public affairs program. Thursday, April 11 at 8 p.m. on TV12