OSU to host U.S. Senate Republican Primary debate on Thursday, May 1

Friday, April 25, 2014

 

UPDATED April 28, 2014 at 10:27 a.m.

The 2014 political campaign season will have a prominent presence on the Oklahoma State University campus thanks to the OSU Debate Series: Decision 2014.  The OSU student-run series kicks off when three of the five candidates in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary face-off Thursday, May 1 from 8-9 p.m. at the Student Union Theater on the OSU campus. The debate is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 7 p.m.

Former state senator Randy Brogdon, Rep. James Lankford and Norman paramedic, EMS instructor Jason Weger will engage in the hour-long debate, which will be streamed live on OState.TV (www.ostate.tv).  The candidates will be available for media interviews following the debate. The candidates are running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Tom Coburn, who is retiring.

OSU students will be actively involved in organizing and running the debate.  Dr. Brandon Lenoir, a visiting assistant professor in political science at OSU, will serve as moderator.  The format includes 30 minutes of moderated debate and 20 minutes of audience questions, bookended by opening and closing statements from each candidate.  

“The candidates will debate issues that are important to the OSU community.  Education, healthcare and the economy are issues that will affect our students as they enter the job market.  Hearing the candidates who potentially could be our next U.S. Senator discuss those issues is a wonderful opportunity for our students, alumni, and the broader community,” Lenoir said. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the broader Oklahoma State University community,” Lenoir said.  “By hosting this debate series on the OSU campus we are giving students a front-row seat to the political process.  Not only can they see the candidates, they will also have the ability to ask them questions.  Here at OSU we are educating the future leaders of Oklahoma.  These debates will help them be more informed, more involved, and better prepared to take on the challenges of the state and the country.”

The OSU Debate Series: Decision 2014 will continue in the fall with plans for Gubernatorial, Superintendent of Public Schools, and two U.S. Senate general election debates.  

WHAT: U.S. Senate Republican Primary debate

WHEN: Thursday, May 1 from 8-9 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

WHERE: OSU Student Union Theater