A debate later this month in Springfield will feature candidates for the 7th Congressional district seat in Missouri. The event is sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement and the Holt Spicer Debate Forum and will be held October 26 at Missouri State University.
According to MSU, Libertarian candidate, Benjamin Brixey, and Democratic candidate, Genevieve Williams, have both confirmed their attendance. Billy Long, the Republican candidate, has been invited.
“The debate will allow the public to learn about the issues and the character of the candidates,” said Dr. Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk, MSU associate professor of socio-political communication and rhetoric. “The discussion that occurs can help them make informed decisions.”
It will be moderated by Dr. Eric Morris, associate professor of communication at MSU.
According to the university, each candidate will be allowed to make an opening statement followed by questions from the moderator on potential topics such as the candidates’ qualifications, the second amendment, race relations and higher education.
Each candidate will respond to each question, and follow-ups will occur at the moderator’s discretion. There will be no interaction between the candidates and the audience.
The debate will be open to the public and will last 60 minutes if two candidates attend or 90 minutes if all three attend. It will start at 7 pm at the Plaster Student Union Theatre.
