Date Set For Gubernatorial Primary Debates At Stockton University

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — Stockton University will play host to a pair of gubernatorial primary debates on Tuesday night, May 9, the university announced on Monday.

Phil Murphy, a former ambassador to Germany and a financier will participate in the Democratic Debate, along with State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-20); Jim Johnson, an attorney and activist who was formerly an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement; and Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19).

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16) will participate in the Republican Debate. The first debate begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the second debate at 8 p.m. It has not yet been determined which debate will take place first.

They will both be held in the Campus Center Theatre on Stockton’s main campus, located at 101 Vera King Farris Drive in Galloway.

William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy Executive Director Sharon Schulman will moderate both debates.
Overflow space to view the debates will be available in the adjacent Campus Center Event Room, which will accommodate up to 350 additional community members. Stockton also will live-stream the debate using Facebook Live.

“The Hughes Center has hosted debates as part of its mission in its nine years of existence,” Schulman said. “Holding the primary debates at Stockton University is a way for the people of South Jersey to hear what our future policy makers have to say, and enable the candidates to reach the southern region of our state.”

The debate is sponsored by the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). NJTV in Newark and Ocean County College in Toms River also applied to host the debates.

Primary Day is June 6, and the general elections are set for Nov. 7.

Previously, Stockton University has hosted debates including legislative, congressional and senatorial debates. Its mission includes enabling South Jersey citizens to connect with their leaders on the local, state and national levels.

Patch file photo