Susan Wild, Ryan Mackenzie agree to debate. Dates and times unclear

Lehigh Valley area congressional candidates Susan Wild and Ryan Mackenzie both are willing to debate each other on key issues ahead of the November election, but the exact time, place and location of the events are unclear.

According to a news release from Mackenzie’s campaign, he has agreed to two proposed debates with Wild: One hosted by Blue Ridge Communication TV on Sept. 11 and one hosted by WFMZ on Sept. 12.

“I am proud of my record of standing up for the people of Pennsylvania as a state representative, and look forward to discussing important issues facing Congress like reigning in Washington’s over-spending and inflation, addressing illegal immigration, growing our economy to create good-paying jobs, and putting forth sensible policies to restore America’s position in the world,” Mackenzie said in a news release.

A Thursday news release from Wild’s campaign said that she agrees in principle to at least two debates, but that the September dates do not work because Congress will be in session.

“As I have done every cycle, I plan to give voters across Pennsylvania’s 7th District multiple opportunities to evaluate my vision and record of delivering for the Greater Lehigh Valley,” Wild said in a release.

Wild is running for a fourth term representing the Lehigh Valley’s congressional district. She was previously a solicitor for Allentown, and has billed herself as a moderate Democrat running on her record — she has prioritized efforts to lower health care and child care costs and authored several bipartisan pieces of legislation.

Mackenzie is a six-term Republican state representative from Emmaus who has touted his legislative record and support for Donald Trump on the campaign trail. He won a three-way April primary for the Republican nomination, beating attorney Maria Montero and businessman Kevin Dellicker.

The contest between Wild and Mackenzie is expected to be close, with most election forecasters rating the race a toss-up. Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, which includes all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties and parts of Monroe County, is being targeted by both political parties in their effort to gain majority control of the House of Representatives.

Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com .