Belmont University will host a live, televised mayoral debate on Monday, August 26 ahead of the Sept. 12 runoff election between current Mayor David Briley and and At-large Council member John Cooper.
Co-sponsored by The Tennessean and NewsChannel 5, the debate is part of a shared commitment to provide voters with robust news and information and a space to discuss the important issues facing the city. Belmont and the two news organizations have a long track record of hosting successful debates, forums and public policy discussions.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said Nashville’s extraordinary success has contributed greatly to the progress made at Belmont. “We view it as a great privilege to host this debate which will help clarify the leadership capacity of the candidates to create the Nashville of the future that is reflective of the hopes and dreams of our citizens,” he said. “This is democracy at its very best.”
The debate will take place at 7 p.m. at Belmont’s Troutt Theater. It will air live in its entirety on NewsChannel 5 and be streamed on NewsChannel5.com and Tennessean.com.
“We have two strong candidates for mayor and how each will lead our city forward is the crucial question of this runoff election,” said Michael A. Anastasi, the editor of The Tennessean and the vice president of news for the USA TODAY Network – Tennessee. “We are committed to providing voters with the information they need, and this debate will help provide the answers.”
NewsChannel 5 News Director Sandy Boonstra agreed.
“We are proud to once again be working with The Tennessean and Belmont University to provide Nashville voters an opportunity to hear where the candidates stand on issues important to them,” Boonstra said. “We want Nashvillians to be educated when they go to the polls. This debate will help do that.”
The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available through Belmont University at www.belmont.edu/mayoraldebate.
Early voting in the September runoff begins Aug. 23 and runs through Sept. 7.
