ARIZONA'S DEBATE

posted by Andrea Kelly

Arizona's Republican presidential primary debate will be Nov. 30 at the Mesa Arts Center. That's a day earlier than the state Republican party initially announced, but now it's firm.

The event is scheduled to be broadcast on CNN at 6 p.m. local time.

Governor Jan Brewer said in a statement Arizona will play a key role in the race to select the GOP's nominee next year.

The national Republican Party granted Arizona the opportunity to host a debate in exchange for Brewer keeping the presidential preference election on Feb. 27. Brewer was at one time considering moving that date earlier in the year. Such a decision could have cost Arizona delegates at the party's national convention next year.

All that's left to find out is how many Republican candidates will be in Mesa Nov. 30. Some debates earlier this year featured as many as nine candidates on the stage.