Hoosier voters invited to send in questions for U.S. Senate candidate debate

The Indiana Debate Commission has announced plans to host a U.S. Senate debate in advance of the November 2024 election. The debate will be broadcast live from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

In keeping with its mission of “Putting Voters First,” the commission invites Hoosier voters to submit questions via its 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.

Two candidates have accepted the invitation to participate. They include Democrat Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andy Horning. Commission member Laura Merrifield Wilson, a political science professor and host of WICR radio’s Positively Politics, will moderate.

Hoosiers across the state can watch the debate live from any location by visiting the Commission’s website at 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 Commission offers the feed free of charge to media outlets across the state.

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 the Commission’s 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.

Candidates Jim Banks (R), Valerie McCray (D), and Andy Horning (L) are vying to succeed Senator Mike Braun who is running for governor.

“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.