San Diego City Councilman Chris Cate has become the latest villain for the Chargers and their fans in the team’s now 13-year quest to build a new stadium.

But at no point since 2003 has the discussion been this intense with so much at stake. The Chargers have run ads saying Cate’s opposition to Measure C, the team’s proposal to raise hotel-room taxes and build a downtown stadium, is the same as wanting the team to leave.

Now, Cate will face one of San Diego’s leading development consultants and representatives of the two biggest fan groups in a formal debate at Politifest, Sept. 24, 1 p.m. at SDSU. See the full schedule here.

But Cate won’t be alone.

Check out the cast for the debate:

FOR MEASURE C:

Marcela Escobar Eck, development consultant, former city permitting leader
Jason Riggs, San Diego Stadium Coalition
Thomas Powell, Save Our Bolts

AGAINST MEASURE C:

San Diego City Councilman Chris Cate
Rob Quigley, architect
Julie Meier-Wright, former head of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.

The debate will be moderated by Scott Lewis.

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