REDLANDS – The campaigns of Republican gubernatorial contenders John Cox and Travis Allen confirmed Friday that they would debate at the Jan. 4 meeting of the Redlands Tea Party Patriots.

“We’re beyond ecstatic that the first debate of the 2018 election season will take place in the Inland Empire,” Redlands Tea Party cabinet member John Berry said. “Unequivocally, this is the most significant meeting in our eight-year history.”

The Jan. 4 meeting will take place at the Mill Creek Cattle Co., 1874 Mentone Blvd., in Mentone. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the two-hour meeting begins at 7 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public.

The 90-minute debate format includes opening statements, questions from a panel of Inland Empire activists, and audience questions. Petitions repealing gas taxes, sanctuary state, and California’s top two primary system, will be discussed and circulated.

“No other candidates will be allowed on the debate stage,” Berry said. “We promised exclusivity to the candidates.”

The debate idea got started in October when Redland Tea Party cabinet member Greg Brittain suggested the idea to both campaigns while visiting the state’s GOP convention in Anaheim. Both campaigns then gave tentative agreements.

Several weeks of emails ensued discussing debate format and scheduling. By Friday, both campaigns had confirmed their participation.

Since starting in 2009, the Redlands Tea Party Patriots have hosted numerous debates and panel discussions for candidates seeking local, state, and national offices. Mill Creek is a frequent campaign stop for Republican candidates seeking conservative voters in the Inland Empire.

On Dec. 14, the Redlands Tea Party Patriots will host nationally known conservative comedian Evan Sayet during its annual “Make Christmas Great Again” party. An auction will be held to benefit the Fisher House, a wounded warrior rehabilitation house in San Diego.

Tickets can be found on Eventbrite: https://a-very-merry-maga-christmas.eventbrite.com