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Campus Announcements Oxford and Beyond

Miami University and WLWT to host Ohio U.S. Senate Primary Debate April 5

(Update April 1: Tickets have sold out for this event )

armstrong student center facade in sunrise
Armstrong Student Center
Campus Announcements Oxford and Beyond

Miami University and WLWT to host Ohio U.S. Senate Primary Debate April 5

Armstrong Student Center

Miami University and WLWT will host the Ohio U.S. Senate Republican Primary Debate on the Oxford campus  7-8 p.m. April 5 in Armstrong Student Center’s Wilks Theatre. Five candidates for the Republican nomination – Matt Dolan, Mike Gibbons, Josh Mandel, Jane Timken, and J.D. Vance – will address the concerns of voters. WLWT News 5 anchor Sheree Paolello will moderate the debate.

The event is free and open to the public. This is the third and final debate between the candidates and the only one in southwest Ohio. 

The event is a collaboration between Miami University’s  Menard Family Center for Democracy and WLWT News 5, which will broadcast the debate live and stream it on  WLWT.com and the WLWT app.

"The Menard Family Center for Democracy is proud to partner with WLWT in bringing this important discussion to Miami's campus,” said John Forren, associate professor and chair of the Department of Justice and Community Studies, and Executive Director of the Menard Family Center for Democracy. “This year, Ohio is a key battleground for control of the U.S. Senate, and this debate will help voters throughout the region to learn more about both the candidates who are vying to represent us in Washington and the issues that will define American politics in the years ahead."

WLWT President and General Manager Branden Frantz said that the debate is “a key part of our Commitment 2022 comprehensive coverage.”

“We are honored and excited to partner with Miami University for this important conversation," Frantz said. “Today's political climate continues to demonstrate the importance of these types of discussions. It is our commitment to our communities to ensure our viewers know who the candidates are and what they stand for.”

Forren emphasized that the university's role in this forum is strictly non-partisan – the Menard Family Center regularly hosts candidate debates and discussions involving both Democratic and Republican party candidates -- and is aimed at promoting civic and political engagement in general rather than any particular partisan or ideological agenda. 

"Much of the Center's work aims to promote civic dialogue across ideological and political lines, and events like this provide community members regardless of their political affiliation a valuable opportunity to learn more about politics and civic affairs," he said.

Large bags, signs, campaign materials, noisemakers, water bottles and video recording are not permitted.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and close promptly at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the live broadcast; no exceptions. Ticketholders should anticipate a security screen and plan accordingly.

Seats not filled at 6:30 p.m. will be forfeited. No one will be allowed in the auditorium after 6:30 p.m. No re-entry after 6:30 p.m.