WNYT-TV, WAMC, WMHT and Times Union partner on debates for Congress, U.S. Senate

By WNYT

Four Capital Region news organizations are partnering to host a series of debates among the candidates competing in New York’s 19th, 20th and 21st Congressional Districts, as well as this year’s U.S. Senate race.

The Upstate Debate Consortium, comprised of the Times Union, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WMHT Public Media, and WNYT NewsChannel 13, will present four hour-long debates. The schedule is as follows:

  • 21st Congressional District: Thursday, Sept. 26 at WNYT NewsChannel 13 in Menands;
  • 20th Congressional District: Thursday, Oct. 3 at “The Linda,” WAMC Northeast Public Radio in Albany;
  • 19th Congressional District: Thursday, Oct. 10 at WMHT Public Media in East Greenbush;
  • U.S. Senate: Thursday, Oct. 17 at WMHT Public Media in East Greenbush

Each debate begins at 7 p.m. and will be moderated by journalists from consortium partners, with questions selected by a panel of reporters and contributed by members of the general public. The U.S. Senate debate will be made available for broadcast statewide.

Invitations have been sent to the candidates in each of these races.

Members of the consortium are committed to hosting fair and open debates among qualified candidates to inform the public and assist voters in making important electoral decisions. A set of criteria has been adopted to govern which candidates are eligible to participate in the debates. To be eligible to participate, a candidate must meet these standards:

  • Be legally qualified and listed on the ballot in the 2024 general election; no write-in candidates are eligible.
  • Have established a campaign headquarters with a paid and/or volunteer staff; a campaign headquarters may not be a private residence. The campaign must have a dedicated phone line, a campaign-specific website, campaign literature, and a schedule of public appearances.
  • Have received at least 10% in an established, professionally conducted nonpartisan poll released within three months prior to the debate. If there is no poll available, this requirement does not apply.
  • Have reported, on the most recent official forms filed with the appropriate election authority by the end of August, accepting at least $25,000 in monetary, as opposed to in-kind, campaign contributions, from a minimum of 250 donors, at least 25% of which must be raised from in-state sources.