Students will get their first taste of the Republican congressional primary Wednesday when rivals Gail Kohlmeier and Bill Price will square off in what looks to be a torrid debate featuring two conservatives aiming to capture the historically Democratic post.

Following an internal poll of the College Republicans that found 75 percent undecided in the race, it was agreed by the group that a debate should be staged. College Republican Vice President Cory Haberkorn is confident the forum will be a big draw and serve to better educate students brainwashed by a liberal faculty.

We hope a lot of people come around for this because this is a big thing, he said. We’re doing this for the students so they can have a different perspective on the issues.

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There’s more liberal teachers here that teach the more liberal stuff, so we’re trying to open up a broader forum of ideas.

The hour-long debate, scheduled to convene in the Thebes Room of the Student Center, will take on a town hall meeting format as audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions following the candidates’ opening statements. Beginning at 5 p.m., the event will be open to all interested students, faculty, staff and community members. Haberkorn expects about 100 people to attend the debate, which he says will be more personalized than most contests.

Many 12th District Republicans are excited about their party’s chances in the November congressional election. Though Costello has enjoyed immense popularity during his three terms in Congress, Kohlmeier, a Christian school administrator and Price, son of former congressman Mel Price, are seen as formidable challengers to the St. Clair County Democrat.

Andy Volpert, former College Republican president, anticipates a hotly contested campaign with Costello ultimately falling to either Kohlmeier or Price. Volpert would not disclose which candidate he endorses, though he admits to having already decided.

We have a couple of excellent candidates that have a great chance of unseating [Costello], Volpert said.

The SIUC College Democrats, who are scheduling a series of upcoming events, also are interested in hearing the two conservative congressional candidates discuss the campaign. College Democrat President Ami Lilley urges everyone to attend the debate regardless of his or her party affiliation.

Open discourse is what this country is all about, she said. Any opportunity to hear dissenting points of view on the issues is a good thing.

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Lilley warns, however, the tide of conservatism on campus driven by recent College Republican guests Oliver North and David Horowitz is about to turn.

Recently, there have been a lot of opportunities to hear political points of view that are more to the right, she said. But, in the near future, that will all change. The College Democrats are definitely back.

Heading off Republican efforts to steal the election spotlight are Barb Brown, SIUC lecturer in political science and candidate for state Senate, and Carbondale Police Chief Don Strom, candidate for state representative. Both will attend a Law School Democrats’ reception at 4 p.m. in the Law School Auditorium. Lilley said the event will provide students with an opportunity to meet the two candidates and socialize with other campus Democrats.

Students should definitely attend this event, she said. The earlier you get involved in a campaign and the earlier you learn about what the candidates want to do, the better off you are.