Notre Dame to host first 2020 presidential debate
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame is going to host the first 2020 presidential debate on Sept. 29, 2020.
Although this is the first presidential debate to be held at the university, Notre Dame has hosted presidents and world leaders in the past including U.S Attorney General, William Barr on campus Friday.
Administrators and students say they are thrilled to host the candidates and worldwide media.
“I do want to announce that the commission on presidential debates has selected Notre Dame for the first presidential debate on September 29th, 2020,” University President Reverend John Jenkins said.
Jenkins said the presidential spotlight is nothing new.
“Notre Dame, throughout its history, has hosted presidents, world leaders, and national figures,” he said.
President Eisenhower, Carter, Reagan, both George Bush’s, Barack Obama and several more have all made appearances, many giving commencement speeches. But this time the university will actually help voters select the next occupant of the white house.
“That is always what Notre Dame has stood for. We’ve always welcomed leaders from the various parties, various figures to talk seriously about issues,” Jenkins said.
And students want to see it all first-hand.
“Being at such a preeminent institution to be able to have such this opportunity for a debate to be able to be great for everyone. Hopefully, it will be open for some students to be involved. I think it’s a great opportunity to grow Notre Dame’s presence across the country,” Jack Vettel, one Notre Dame student said.
“Politics is super important to integrate into your education. It’s such a fundamental piece of our American identity right now,” Chessley Jackman, one Notre Dame student said. “I think that every student should have the opportunity to go to something like this. Being that it is the first election that I can vote in as well is even more important to me”
ABC57 has been told there will be limited seating and information on tickets has not been released.
The Purcell Pavilion holds just under 10,000 people for basketball, but it’s not clear how many seats will be open to students and the public next fall.