GAINESVILLE — The Lanier Tea Party Patriots will sponsor a debate between 9th District U.S. Congressional candidates Doug Collins, a Republican, and Democrat Jody Cooley on Oct. 16. The event begins a 7 p.m. at the Gainesville Civic Center.

This will be the second of three events the candidates will participate in during the month of October. They faced off last night at the Northeast Georgian newspaper in Cornelia and another is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios in Atlanta.

The 9th is a new district that was awarded based on population. It covers much of Northeast Georgia, with its population base centered in Hall and Forsyth.