Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Rep. Chris Gibson and Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge are halfway to their first debate. Eldridge announced Thurs., Aug. 7, that he accepted the invitation to participate in a debate on WMHT in October. Stephanie Valle, Gibson’s chief of staff, said a formal decision from the Republican’s side will come in the future. “Voters in New York's 19th district deserve to hear directly from both of us about where we stand on the critical issues facing our communities and our country,” Eldridge said. Valle said Gibson has accepted invitations to debate on WMHT before and that his camp would like to speak with the Eldridge campaign to make sure there is a balance of debates throughout the large 19th Congressional District. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.