NBC News' Tom Brokaw to Moderate California Governor's Debate Between Candidates Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown at Dominican University of California on October 12

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 2010 Dominican University of California President Joseph R. Fink today announced that veteran NBC News journalist and author Tom Brokaw will serve as the moderator for the California Governor's debate between Republican candidate Meg Whitman and Democratic candidate Jerry Brown on Tuesday, October 12. The debate will take place at Angelico Hall on the Dominican campus. The debate will air live at 6:30 p.m. on the California NBC Local Media stations including NBC Bay Area, KNBC Los Angeles, KNSD San Diego, on NBC affiliates KCRA in Sacramento and KSBW in Salinas/Monterey and will be offered to other California NBC stations.  Brokaw, who was the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982-2004, is currently a special correspondent for NBC News.

"We are delighted that both candidates have accepted our invitation to debate here and we are pleased that the highly regarded journalist Tom Brokaw has agreed to moderate," President Fink said. "The fact that a journalist of Tom's stature is involved in the debate reflects the impact that California has on issues facing our country from health care to economic recovery. As a University known for social responsibility, Dominican is well-positioned to offer a thoughtful platform for the candidates to present their views."

"This election comes at a critical time for the citizens of California, and as the campaign unfolds over the next few months, the country will be watching to see who will become the next Governor," Brokaw said. "I am particularly excited about participating in this debate because I began my NBC News career covering California politics in 1966."

"The race to the statehouse here is one of the most highly watched electoral contests in the nation," Phil Alongi, executive producer of the debate and a former Emmy-award winning network television producer of news and political coverage, concurred. "NBC is providing this evening statewide broadcast of the debate as part of its continuing news commitment to informing the voters of California."

About Dominican University of California:

Founded in 1890, Dominican University of California is an independent university located 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, California. Dominican enjoys a century-long reputation for excellence in scholarship, research and community outreach.  Visit: www.dominican.edu.

About NBC Universal and Hearst Television:

NBC Universal's Local Media companies in California include NBC Bay Area, NBC LA and NBC San Diego. NBC affiliated stations KCRA in Sacramento and KSBW in Salinas/Monterey are owned by Hearst Television Inc. The three network NBC-owned stations and two Hearst affiliates reach 83% of California's viewers. NBC U.S. Local Media Division comprises 10 NBC owned-and-operated television stations reaching 27% of U.S. TV households. Visit: www.nbcuni.com and www.hearsttelevision.com.

SOURCE Dominican University of California