Gubernatorial debates set for late October

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Questions accepted via online form through Oct. 15

The Indiana Debate Commission is accepting questions from Hoosier voters who want to raise issues with the state’s three gubernatorial candidates.


Questions submitted via an online form will be vetted and selected by members of the IDC and posed to the candidates during two October debates. Deadline to submit questions is Oct. 15 at indianadebatecommission.com under the “Ask your question” tab.


The IDC organized the debates between incumbent Republican Eric Holcomb, Democrat Woodrow “Woody” Myers, and Libertarian Donald G. Rainwater II.


There have already been about 140 questions submitted, said IDC board member Gerry Lanosga, a professor at Indiana University. In selecting questions, the IDC will attempt to reflect the range of attitudes and ideas that are out there, Lanosga said.


Out of caution during the Covid-19 pandemic, the debates will not have a live audience. They will be broadcast from 7-8 p.m. EDT Oct. 20 and Oct. 27. from WFYI-TV in Indianapolis and will also be live-streamed on the commission’s website and YouTube channel. Candidates and moderators will be on-site, barring any change in health recommendations.


The IDC is the first independent debate commission of its kind in the country. It was founded in 2007 with the mission of, “Putting Voters First.”

“We look forward to giving citizens this platform to voice their concerns,” said Commission President Elizabeth Bennion.


For news organizations, IDC will send out a media spec sheet a couple weeks in advance of the debates with information including how to imbed the feed on websites.


Lanosga said the debates will offer voters a chance to see the candidates in an extended, non-advertising setting.


“This commission is all about trying to have debates that reach as many people as possible,” Lanosga said.