University Will Host Gubernatorial Debate on October 8 with Media Partners WCBS, The Record, Asbury Park Press, and KYW

Republican Governor Chris Christie and his Democratic challenger, State Senator Barbara Buono, to debate at 7 p.m. in Shea Center

William Paterson University will be the host of a 2013 New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate between Republican Governor Chris Christie and his Democratic challenger, State Senator Barbara Buono, on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in Shea Center on campus.

The University is partnering with WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880 in New York; KYW-TV and KYW Newsradio 1060 in Philadelphia; The Record and its sister paper, The Herald News; and Gannett New Jersey newspapers, including the Asbury Park Press, Courier-News, The Courier-Post, Home News Tribune, Daily Record, and The Daily Journal, to host the debate, which will air live on WCBS Channel 2 in New York, and KYW Channel 3 in Philadelphia.

“We would like to thank the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission for selecting William Paterson to host one of the two gubernatorial debates,” says President Kathleen Waldron. “As a public university, an important part of our mission is providing opportunities for our students and all New Jersey citizens to be engaged members of their communities and of the State.”

At least one University student will be selected to ask a question of the candidates during the debate.  In addition, a number of students will assist the organizers behind the scenes.

This is the third time William Paterson has been selected to host a gubernatorial debate.  The University served as a site for a debate between Chris Christie, Jon Corzine and Chris Daggett in 2009, and Christie Whitman and Jim McGreevey in 1997. In addition, the University hosted the congressional debate between Rodney Frelinghuysen and John Arvanites in 2012.