JACKSONVILLE, FL, June 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute (Institute) and WJXT Channel 4 announced today that they will host a televised debate and town hall in the Florida gubernatorial primary races at Jacksonville University in August.
“The Florida Governor’s race is one of the most important in the nation and Jacksonville University is very pleased to partner with WJXT Channel 4 to host this debate and town hall,” said Institute Director Rick Mullaney. Added WJXT General Manager Bob Ellis, “Preparing our viewers on how each candidate views the important issues to our local community is a commitment we take very seriously.”
On Wednesday, August 8th, Florida Congressman Ron DeSantis and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam will participate in a televised Republican gubernatorial primary debate, one of just two debates the candidates plan to hold prior to primary voting. This will be their final debate before the primary election.
The Republican primary debate will be followed by a televised town hall on Thursday, August 9th in the Florida democratic gubernatorial primary, with candidates Andrew Gillum, Mayor of Tallahassee; Gwen Graham, former Congresswoman for Florida’s 2nd congressional district; Chris King, Winter Park businessman; and Philip Levine, former Mayor of Miami Beach. Billionaire Jeff Greene, who recently entered the race, has also been invited.
The debate and town hall will take place at Jacksonville University in the Terry Concert Hall, and will give voters a chance to hear candidates speak on a variety of important issues facing the state of Florida.
The Institute and WJXT have co-hosted seven televised debates in local, state, and federal elections since 2015, in addition to hosting a televised town hall on violence in schools this past March. WJXT Anchor Kent Justice has moderated the previous debates and town hall, and will serve as the sole moderator for both the Democratic candidate town hall and the Republican debate this August.
In addition, the Institute and WJXT Channel 4 have extended invitations to Florida Senator Bill Nelson and Florida Governor Rick Scott for a televised debate in the Florida U.S. Senate race, to be hosted in October at Jacksonville University.
The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute offers the only Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree in the state of Florida. The Institute seeks to shape the future through preparing a new generation of leaders, public policy expertise, and providing a neutral gathering place for public policy discussion, education, and debate. For more information about the Institute, visit https://www.ju.edu/publicpolicy/, or email the Institute at ppi@ju.edu. For more information on the debate and town hall, contact Amy Lane at (904) 256-7452 or alane4@ju.edu.
Attachments