Friday, September 26, 2014

Bringing Candidate Debates to Duluth


It is an ambitious undertaking to schedule and host political candidate debates. The challenge is amplified when the debates involve high profile, major campaigns for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Congress and the Minnesota Governor. It was a challenging endeavor to have the candidate campaign teams agree to a time, venue and format for the debates. 

I suspect these truths contributed to why there will be only one local debate for each one of the following races: Senator Al Franken and Republican challenger Mike McFadden; Congressman Rick Nolan, Republican Party challenger Stewart Mills and Green Party challenger Ray Sandman;  as well as Governor Mark Dayton and Republican Party challenger Jeff Johnson. 

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth News Tribune met the challenge of arranging for the debates. We are pleased and proud to be cohosting these remarkable gatherings. We will do so at 8:00 a.m., at the Duluth Playhouse Theatre, on these dates:

·         October 1 – U.S. Senate, State of Minnesota
·         October 7 - U.S. Congress, 8th Congressional District
·         October 14 – Minnesota Governor 

Earlier this month, the Chamber accepted registrations to attend the debates.
Community members responded quickly to this unique opportunity to spend time with the candidates. We rapidly reached our attendance capacity. This strong interest in learning more about the candidates reinforced Duluth’s reputation as a politically savvy and engaged community. 

Fortunately, you can still access the debates. Local television stations plan to broadcast the debates and make them available to their viewers either live or recorded for subsequent viewing. The Duluth News Tribune plans to video the debates and present them on the Tribune’s website. Additionally, statewide and local radio stations have indicated interest in broadcasting the debates. 

The Tribune, the Chamber, and our friends from the local broadcast community are marshalling our resources to make these timely and valuable debates available to you. It is now up to you to access the debates through the Tribune, or through the television and radio providers of your choice. Please watch for broadcast-related announcements to be made prior to the debates or inquire with your favorite media outlets. 

This is an exciting opportunity to tune in and stay informed.

In support,















 David Ross, President & CEO
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2 comments:

  1. Unknown4:21 PM

    It is very disappointing to see the lack of the Independent Party candidate, Hannah Nicollet, in this debate. Governor Dayton himself made a point of inviting her to the debate process this election cycle. The lack of courtesy is contrary to the mid-west's fairness and openness that is never in short supply.

    Bad on you Duluth. This is a black eye self-inflicted.

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  2. Phil Fuehrer6:24 PM

    It is interesting - in the sense of lacking all concepts of justice - that you invite a Green Party candidate (a MINOR party in MN) that has not raised enough money to have to even file with the FEC (that'd be $5K) yet, you will NOT invite a MAJOR party candidate (Hannah Nicollet) who has raised in excess of $20K, already run TV ads and been in two other major debates to your Gubernatorial debate. Where in there is any rational justification for taking that action?

    Poor form, folks.

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