The University of Delaware’s commitment to civic engagement continues with the presentation of “Delaware Debates 2024.” UD’s Center for Political Communication and Delaware Public Media are hosting the debates among candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and governor of Delaware on October 16 and 17. The general election is Tuesday, November 5.

“By hosting these debates, the University of Delaware supports the civic culture and democratic health of this great state,” said Dannagal G. Young, director of the Center for Political Communication.

​The governor’s debate will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. in Mitchell Hall on UD’s campus.  It will be live-streamed and available for delayed streaming. There will not be a live audience. The candidates are Democrat Matt Meyer and Republican Michael Ramone. Meyer has served as New Castle County executive since 2017. Ramone has been a member of the Delaware House of Representatives since 2008. 

The debate moderators for Oct. 17 are Tom Bryne, news director of Delaware Public Media and Sarah Petrowich, state politics reporter for Delaware Public Media. They will be assisted by UD student correspondent Casey Nyman.

The U.S. House and U.S. Senate event will be held on Wednesday, October 16, before a live audience in Mitchell Hall. The U.S. House of Representatives event is at 6 p.m., and the U.S. Senate event is at 8 p.m. Please register to attend. 

The moderator for Oct. 16 is Ralph Begleiter, founding director of the Center for Political Communication and a former CNN journalist. He will be assisted by Nyman.

Running for the U.S. House are Democrat Sarah McBride and Republican John Whalen III. McBride was elected to Delaware’s Senate in 2020. Whalen worked for the Delaware Department of Public Safety for 20 years. Whalen has declined to attend the Oct. 16 debate; event moderators will ask McBride the same questions they would have asked of both candidates. 

Running for U.S. Senate are Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat, and Eric Hansen, a Republican. Blunt Rochester has been the U.S. representative for Delaware’s at-large congressional district since 2017. Hansen has a management background, spending most of his career at Walmart. Blunt Rochester has not confirmed her attendance as of press time. If she does not attend, event moderators will ask Hansen the same questions they would have asked of both candidates.

“These events are tremendous opportunities for citizens to see the candidates speaking live, rather than in carefully scripted ads and appearances,” noted Nancy Karibjanian, a former director of the Center for Political Communication and current director of UD Journalism. “Regardless of whether all candidates attend, these events are important ways for voters to learn more so that they can make informed decisions. They also provide experiential learning for Casey and other UD students who are involved in front of, and behind, the camera,” she added.    

More information about the debates, including directions and parking for the Oct. 16 event, can be found on the Delaware Debates website.

About the Center for Political Communication

UD's Center for Political Communication is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary initiative that is committed to the emerging field of political communication. The center supports collaborative, interdisciplinary teams of social scientists who examine issues related to voting, civil rights and liberties, media effects, and intergroup relations.

The CPC’s events and programs inspire public participation in politics, engaging the next generation of public service leaders. The CPC supports UD students and departments who conduct their own initiatives to support political communication, especially research and public events.