A bit late on this (I was on vacation!) but Heath Haussaman is reporting that Al Kissling was able to get Rep. Steve Pearce to agree to a debate in Las Cruces later this month:

The debate will be held Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Auditorium, 3011 Buena Vida Circle in Las Cruces. It’s the only debate in which Pearce has agreed to participate.

Kissling challenged Pearce months ago to several debates. The debate will be held in a small auditorium during the day, so it won’t receive as much attention as a prime-time event.

The debate is sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women.

Pearce doesn’t have a reputation as a great debater, but Kissling is a political newcomer. Kissling will be holding a mock debate Friday night to prepare.

Pearce’s fundraising has brought in some 10 times that raised by Kissling, who recently shook up his campaign and hired a new campaign manager.

I’ll have to check with the boss, but maybe I can go.