Stockton Accepting Questions From Public For Gubernatorial Primary Debates

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — Stockton University is accepting questions from the public for the gubernatorial debates set for Tuesday night, May 9. Members of the public also have the chance to buy tickets for the Republican and Democratic primary debates. The debates will take place in the Campus Center Theatre on Stockton’s main campus, located at 101 Vera King Farris Drive in Galloway, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Stockton will stream both debates live on stockton.edu/governordebates as well as on Facebook Live. Signing for the hearing impaired and a Spanish translation will be provided in the feed.

The public may request a limited number of tickets to the entire event in the Campus Center Theatre via links on the web page. Tickets to view the debates in a Campus Center simulcast room that seats 350 are also available online. A form for asking questions is also available online.

The university has also announced which debate will take place at which time. Up first is the Republican Primary Debate between Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-16). The debate will last one hour, followed by a half hour break.

At 8 p.m., 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).

The university’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy will host the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) debates, and Executive Director Sharon Schulman will moderate.

“I believe one reason Stockton was chosen by ELEC as a debate sponsor was to provide a chance for the candidates to speak directly to residents of southern New Jersey,” Schulman said.

“Civic engagement has always been a guiding principle of Stockton University. Political debates like these bring immediacy and relevance to the democratic process for our community and region,” Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman said.

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 the citizens of southern New Jersey to connect with their leaders on the local, state and national levels.

Patch file photo