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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Ohio School Pulls Out of Presidential Debate

(CN) - An Ohio college says it is withdrawing as host of the first presidential general election debate, citing rising security concerns and costs.

Wright State University President David Hopkins called a news conference for Tuesday afternoon to make the announcement and explain the decision to pull out of its role for the scheduled Sept. 26 debate.

School spokesman Bob Mihalek confirmed that Wright State was withdrawing but declined further comment pending Hopkins' appearance.

The Dayton Daily News reported school officials as saying the recent mass slayings in Nice, France, heightened concerns about security needs for the debate. Security costs have already reached over $8 million, according to several reports.

In light of Wright State University's announcement, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonprofit that has sponsored the presidential debates since 1988, said Hofstra University on Long Island, New York will serve as the new host of the first debate.

In a written statement, the commission said "Hofstra University served very successfully as a presidential debate site in 2012. On September 23, 2015, the Commission announced that Hofstra University had agreed to serve as an alternate site this debate cycle if needed. The Commission looks forward to working with Hofstra once again."

Hofstra hosted a town hall-style debate between President Barack Obama and his GOP challenger, Mitt Romney, in 2012.

None of the other venues slated to host presidential or vice presidential debates this fall has indicated they are also considering backing out.

The vice presidential debate is currently scheduled for Tuesday, October 4 at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.

The second presidential debate - to be presented with a town hall meeting format - is set to be held at Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday, October 9, and the third and final debate is scheduled to held at October 19 at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

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