Candidates for U.S. Congressional District 13, one of the most closely watched races of the 2016 campaign in Florida, will face off in a debate at St. Petersburg College’s Palladium Theater on Sept. 19.
The debate, co-sponsored by SPC’s Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions, the Tampa Bay Times and 10 News WTSP, will be three weeks after the Aug. 30 primary. U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a Republican currently representing the district, faces Mark Bircher in the GOP primary. The winner will debate former Gov. Charlie Crist, a Democrat running unopposed. It will air live on WTSP from 7-8 p.m. and will be streamed on tampabay.com and wtsp.com.
“The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at St. Petersburg College was established to engage our community in ways that promote civic engagement and discourse to advance public awareness of key issues affecting our local citizens,” said SPC President Bill Law. “This debate is a perfect example of that mission and we are honored to host this event, which will help inform voters in November’s election.”
Said Times Editor Neil Brown, “We believe this debate will not only inform the voters of District 13 but will air issues of great importance to the people of the entire Tampa Bay region. A congressional seat has high stakes for all of us.”
WTSP President and General Manager Elliott Wiser added, “10 News WTSP is excited to work with our partners at the Tampa Bay Times. It is part of our larger commitment to highlight political discourse on issue important to our viewers and our digital users.”
Election Day is Nov. 8, and mail ballots go out on Oct. 4. The district became slightly more Democratic because of redistricting. Parts of St. Petersburg that used to be in a different congressional district are in the newly reconfigured 13th District, which covers most of Pinellas County south of Safety Harbor.
The Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions at SPC is dedicated to advancing academic excellence, community engagement and public understanding through solutions-oriented public policy programs.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Times has produced debates for local, state and national offices for 22 years, including races for Florida governor, the U.S. House and Senate, the GOP presidential nomination and vice president of the United States.
10 News WTSP has been honored over the years for not only its investigative work, but its political coverage as well.
Information on audience tickets to the debate will be available in mid-August.
i hope students will attend because it’s not just the presidential race that matters! The local races actually impact our lives even more.
P S Students can sign up to vote in less than 2 minutes on SPC website.
I am glad that SPC is hosting this big, crucial event. It will help constituents to be informed, and in November cast an intelligent vote.