Two of the three candidates running for U.S. Senate will face off in a debate later this month.
The Indiana Debate Commission will host a U.S. Senate debate from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29, ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. Voters are invited to send in questions ahead of the debate, according to an IDC news release.
Two candidates have accepted the invitation to participate: Democrat Dr. Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andy Horning. Republican Rep. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, who is vying to succeed governor candidate and Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, is not listed as participating by the commission.
Commission member Laura Merrifield Wilson, a political science professor at the University of Indianapolis and host of WICR radio’s “Positively Politics,” will moderate, the news release says.
“The U.S. Senate race has received little attention statewide, leaving many voters eager to learn more about the candidates on their ballot and the positions they hold. We look forward to hosting an informative discussion about issues that matter to Hoosier voters,” said Elizabeth Bennion, a political scientist and long-time debate organizer who agreed to lead the commission in June 2024.
Hoosier voters are asked to submit questions for the debate on the commission’s website, indianadebatecommission.com, using the “Ask Your Question” link at the top of the homepage.
Questions submitted by Oct. 17 will be vetted by members of the commission. Hoosiers whose questions are selected also may be offered the opportunity to ask their questions on pre-taped video to be broadcast during the hour-long debate. Consistent with past practice, candidates do not receive the questions in advance from the commission, the news release said.
Hoosiers across the state can watch the debate live from any location by visiting indianadebatecommission.com.
Viewers can also track local listings or visit the website in the days leading up to the debate to identify other local viewing options. The IDC offers the feed free of charge to media outlets across the state, according to the news release.
Founded in 2007, the Indiana Debate Commission (IDC) is a non-partisan, statewide, volunteer organization. It is the oldest independent and non-partisan debate commission in the nation. Since its first debates in 2008, the commission has hosted nine previous general election U.S. Senate debates and four U.S. Senate primary debates. All balloted candidates participated in past election cycles including 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2022.
