Utah Debate Commission, DSU Institute of Politics to host Utah AG debate
Utah Debate Commission, DSU Institute of Politics to host Utah AG debate
The Utah Debate Commission and the Dixie State University Institute of Politics & Public Affairs are partnering to host the Utah Attorney General Debate.
The debate, which is the first Utah Debate Commission event to ever be held in Washington County, will host incumbent Sean D. Reyes (R) and challenger Jon V. Harper (D). Moderated by retired broadcast journalist Bruce Lindsay, the debate is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Dixie State’s Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center. Attendees must be seated by 5:45 p.m.
"Debates matter, especially in a national election cycle that has taken a turn toward the unexpected,” Henrie Walton, director of DSU’s Institute of Politics & Public Affairs, said. “Too often, we assume our voices don't matter. This debate is an opportunity to remind ourselves that they do."
The televised debate is in advance of the Nov. 8 general election, for which Utah residents can register to vote by Nov. 1 at vote.utah.gov or at a county clerk's office. At the debate, candidates will be asked about a variety of issues, including questions generated by residents. To submit questions, visit utahdebatecommission.org.
“It is important that Southern Utah be represented by state leaders,” Walton said. “This is an opportunity for the state attorney general candidates to learn about and answer questions on the issues relevant not only to Utah, but Southern Utah.”
The Utah Debate Commission is a consortium of higher educational institutions, media organizations, and business and civic leaders dedicated to creating a nonpartisan and independent system of debates for statewide and federal offices in Utah during each election cycle. The commission educates voters about viable candidates and their issue positions, promotes a civil exchange of ideas among the leading candidates and elevates the discussion of the most important issues confronting the state of Utah.
Dixie State’s Institute of Politics and Public Affairs opened at the beginning of the 2016-17 academic year and serves the community as a hub for civic engagement, student leadership and public policy education and research.
Debate tickets are free but required to be admitted. Tickets are available in advance by contacting Walton at iop@utahtech.edu or arriving at the event earlier than 5:30 to get a ticket at the door.
