Stockton President Visits D.C. to Boost Debate Bid

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey President Herman J. Saatkamp paid a visit to Washington, D.C. last week following a visit to his school from a Presidential Debate Commission delegation last month.

Saatkamp visited with Janet Brown, executive director of the Commission on Presidential Debates, to discuss the school's

Saatkamp discussed points from the , and reaffirmed the school's commitment to bringing a debate to the State of New Jersey.

“We had a very productive meeting with Executive Director Brown,” Saatkamp said. “She used this opportunity to discuss aspects of the process going forward and the logistics of hosting a debate.”

Stockton is one of , three of which are presidential debates, while the other will be a vice presidential debate.

Stockton submitted the bid to host a debate in March, pointing to the college's 4,500-seat sports center as a prime venue to host a debate.

The commission sent a delegation to inspect the campus in May, the same month the

“We are optimistic about Stockton’s application,” Saatkamp said. “We have a reputation for academic excellence and civic engagement, as well as all the facilities, infrastructure and central location to host a successful presidential debate.”

Stockton should be aided by its which can provide hotel rooms, meeting space and other amenities for debate participants and support staff.

Stockton has also played up its proximity to Atlantic City International Airport, as well as the William J. Hughes Federal Administration Aviation Technical Center.

have shown they would be excited about a debate, and resident has begun a campaign to help Stockton secure the debate.

The possibility of the debate also factored into the introduction of a for Galloway Township to welcome visitors exiting the Garden State Parkway.

Stockton is also located 60 miles from Philadelphia, 125 miles from New York City and 175 miles from Washington, D.C.

“We have the physical and human resources, the ability, experience and desire to make a debate happen here,” Saatkamp said. “We look forward to the opportunity to host one of these important debates.”