Patrick, Castro finalize April 15 debate in S.A.

Mayor Julian Castro sports renewed dark hair as he helps to unveil the plans for additional educations centers during ceremonies at the Southside Pre-K4 SA center on February 19, 2014. Mayor Julian Castro sports renewed dark hair as he helps to unveil the plans for additional educations centers during ceremonies at the Southside Pre-K4 SA center on February 19, 2014. Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Patrick, Castro finalize April 15 debate in S.A. 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Mayor Julián Castro and state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, have finalized their long talked-about debate on immigration for next month on the mayor's home turf.

The two rivals, who have sparred online and in the news for nearly two months, agreed to debate the issue of border security and immigration on April 15 at the Univision studio in San Antonio, according to the Texas Tribune.

The event will be broadcast by Univision and open to media only, according to the San Antonio Current.

Patrick, an outspoken conservative and tea party darling, is in a heated runoff election for lieutenant governor with incumbent David Dewhurst. Castro, a Democrat, sent a missive via Twitter in January calling Patrick “anti-immigrant” and comparing the GOP senator to former California Gov. Pete Wilson.

Wilson was known in the 1990s for leading efforts to curb education and public services to undocumented immigrants in that state.

Patrick's campaign ads include stern warnings about an “invasion” from Mexico, and he vehemently opposes amnesty for anyone who entered the country illegally, according to a March 1 Express-News story by Patti Hart.

In a previous Texas Senate campaign, Patrick warned that undocumented immigrants brought such communicable diseases as leprosy with them — an unsubstantiated claim, Hart wrote.

Patrick, who is a conservative radio host in Houston, has denied the allegations. He filmed a video outside of the Alamo last month pressing Castro on the debate and said he “cares more about the citizens of this state and city than I think you do.”

Evan Smith, editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune, will moderate the hour-long event, which will be broadcast from 6-7 p.m. on April 15.

kparker@express-news.net

Twitter: @KoltenParker