Southern Utah University’s Micheal O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service has been selected by the Utah Debate Commission (UDC) to host the general election debate for Utah’s Attorney General on October 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. The debate will take place in the Church Auditorium on campus and be open to the public with details on ticketing and reservations to be determined.
The UDC was established in 2013 and is the foremost independent forum for debates in Utah and one of only four organizations of its kind in the United States. It is a consortium of higher education institutions, media organizations and community leaders.
“It is exciting to see the Commission partner with students to organize debates at universities statewide,” said Mary Weaver Bennett, chair of the UDC University Committee and director of the Leavitt Center. “Through direct engagement with students and community leaders, the Commission is fulfilling its crucial mission of educating citizens about the importance of elections and promoting lifelong civic engagement.”
This event will benefit the community by raising awareness about current issues faced in southern Utah and throughout the state. The debate will feature candidates for Utah Attorney General. All candidates who meet the Utah Debate Commission threshold of 10 percent level of support in a UDC-conducted poll will be invited to participate.
The debate will be broadcast live on local network affiliates as well as webcast on the Utah Debate Commission’s website. The format will include one moderator and candidates who qualify by UDC rules.
“This debate is an opportunity for our students to be involved in the political process, see how candidates campaign, learn about issues facing the state and make decisions about who to elect based on their own well-rounded opinions,” said Bennett.
Students at SUU will have the opportunity to work in all aspects of the live broadcast production, including the stage set, audio visual components, candidate management and audience management. Community members are encouraged to support the event by attending and engaging in the political dialogue.
The Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service was founded on November 16, 1996, by Craig Jones, a political science professor at SUU. The Leavitt Center aims to provide an open environment for all students on SUU’s campus no matter their political affiliation. The Leavitt Center was founded on four fundamental principles that form the Leavitt Center’s purpose: leadership, citizenship, research and service.