Springfield Ready to Host Key U.S. Senate Debate Between Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren on Oct. 10

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The two candidates for the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts will debate at Springfield Symphony Hall at 34 Court St. on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 7-8 p.m. Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren face off in the only televised debate from western Massachusetts.

 

The Massachusetts Senate race is one of the highest profile contests in the country in this election cycle and its outcome could have a huge influence on whether Republicans or Democrats control the U.S. Senate beginning next January. Many media outlets from across the state plan to carry a live feed of the event.

 

The debate, to be moderated by Jim Madigan of WGBY-TV 57, is sponsored by the Western Massachusetts U.S. Senate Debate Consortium and coordinated by the Springfield Public Forum. The consortium includes MassLive.com; New England Public Radio, WFCR and all-news WNNZ; Springfield Public Forum; The Daily Hampshire Gazette; The Republican; Valley Press Club; WGBY: Western New England Public Television; WGGB-TV, ABC 40 and Fox 6; WSHM-TV CBS 3; WWLP-TV, NBC 22; University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Western New England University.

 

Page Brody, executive director of the Springfield Public Forum said, “This debate is a key part of one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country. It puts a national spotlight on the candidates and provides Springfield and western Massachusetts with an opportunity to host a high-profile, high stakes event. The mission of the Springfield Public Forum has always been to bring important dialogues to our area and to make that discourse free and open to the public. The Forum and the entire debate consortium are pleased to sponsor this opportunity.”

 

The debate is expected to draw a large contingent of media as well as a full house at Symphony Hall, which seats 2,611. The audience is encouraged to arrive early. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and close promptly at 6:30 p.m. to allow for technical checks. Seating is first-come, first-serve. No campaign materials are allowed inside. Late seating will not be allowed. While there is no reserved, on-site parking, there are many nearby parking facilities in downtown Springfield. A parking map can be viewed at

www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/springfield_senate_debate_wher.html.

 

Moderator Madigan will ask the candidates questions, which were solicited from the public and selected by consortium journalists. Responses by candidates will be timed, allowing for an initial 90-second response and a 30-second rebuttal. Brief, closing remarks of 60 seconds by each candidate will end the one-hour debate.

 

Students from UMass Amherst and Western New England University will be in attendance at the event, and expert faculty from the two schools will be on hand to conduct media interviews following the debate.

 

A media availability for live interviews regarding the debate will be held Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 10:30 a.m. on the front steps of Symphony Hall with consortium coordinator Page Brody, who can also be reached at pbrody@springfieldpublicforum.org.

 

For details about media access and credentials, contact Ed Blaguszewski of UMass Amherstat 413/545-0444, 413/695-4522 or edblag@admin.umass.edu.