Delaware Debates 2018

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.

Ralph Begleiter, founding director of the CPC and former CNN journalist, returns to the University of Delaware to moderate. He will pose questions about key issues in Delaware such as 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 present questions to the candidates by video.

“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. 

The evening of debates will be held in Mitchell Hall Auditorium on the University's Newark campus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are required for admission to each debate; please visit Delaware Debates Tickets for details.

The University of Delaware's Center for Political Communication is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary initiative that is committed to the emerging field of political communication.

• The CPC supports collaborative, interdisciplinary teams of social scientists, who examine issues related to voting, civil rights and liberties, media effects, and intergroup relations.
• The CPC's events and programs inspire public participation in politics, engaging the next generation of public service leaders, in the United States and abroad.
• University of Delaware students expand their knowledge about political communication by minoring in political communication as undergraduates.
• The CPC supports University of Delaware students and UD departments who conduct their own initiatives to support political communication, especially research and public events.