Delaware's major-party candidates for the United States House of Representatives and Senate races will meet at the University of Delaware's Mitchell Hall Auditorium on Wednesday evening, October 17, for Delaware Debates 2018, a joint initiative of the University of Delaware's Center for Political Communication (CPC) and Delaware Public Media. The event marks the fifth biennial Delaware Debates, an initiative that began in 2010.
“Together with Delaware Public Media, the Center for Political Communication continues our tradition of providing an issue-oriented, exceptional forum for those vying to represent the First State in Congress. Without question Delaware Debates 2018 will feature the premier debates of this election year,” said Nancy Karibjanian, director of the CPC.
Delaware Debates will open at 6:30 p.m. with a one-hour debate featuring candidates for Delaware's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, followed by a one-hour debate at 8 p.m. featuring candidates for the U.S. Senate. Founding CPC Director Ralph Begleiter (now retired), will moderate the debates, posing questions about economic and job-growth policies, immigration, health care, gun violence, improving public education, legalization of marijuana, and climate change. University of Delaware and Delaware State University students will also pose questions to the candidates by video.
The evening of debates will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Mitchell Hall Auditorium on the University's Newark campus. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets, which are required to attend the Delaware Debates, are free and available to the public, students, and the University community on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 2 per person. Ticket distribution begins on Tuesday, September 18, and ends at the close of business on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at the following locations. No tickets will be available on Wednesday, October 17, 2018:
Bob Carpenter Center Box Office, 631 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
UD Main Campus – Trabant Box Office, Trabant University Center, Newark, Delaware. Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
No campaign materials, literature, hats, stickers, signs or banners are allowed inside Mitchell Hall during the Delaware Debates. The audience is prohibited from applauding or making noise during the debate and may not do anything visible or audible to express support or opposition to any candidate during the debate. Violations will prompt immediate removal of audience members from the debate venue.
