First Lexington mayoral debate goes digital

Only people in Lexington may vote for them, but the first forum for the candidates for mayor of Lexington can be followed throughout the world.

The forum will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. It will be available on Facebook and Twitter as well as several live text and video blogs.

"I don't think that anything of this scope has been done in Kentucky yet," said Kakie Urch, an assistant professor of multimedia at the University of Kentucky.

The four candidates for mayor — Skip Horine, Jim Gray, Teresa Isaac and Jim Newberry — will answer questions from a panel of traditional and digital media representatives.

Urch expects that the forum will attract a number of students, especially since the city is grappling with a number of issues involving housing around UK, she said.

Also, the Obama campaign showed that students gravitate toward online politics, she said.

Young professionals, "the people that we are hoping to attract and retain," might also watch and listen, she said. And maybe even some older folks.

"It would be delightful if this could be the first foray for people who aren't that much online to go on and participate, and maybe have their children or grandchildren help them set it up," Urch said.

The forum will take place at Awesome Inc., a technology incubator at 348 East Main Street. It has limited seating.

This story was originally published February 19, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "First Lexington mayoral debate goes digital."