Miami to Host First Democratic Presidential Primary Debate

The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday that Miami, Florida with be the host city for the first Democratic presidential primary debate.
The debate, which is being broadcast by NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo on back-to-back nights, is being held on June 26 and 27.
The debate lineups for each night will be determined at random to provide each candidate with a fair opportunity to make his or her case to a large, national audience, the committee said.
In announcing the host city, DNC Chair Tom Perez said Miami was chosen because it is a “vibrant and dynamic city that reflects the values and diversity of the Democratic Party.
“I couldn’t imagine a better setting for our first debate,” Perez continued. “Throughout every step of this process, we’ve focused on empowering the grassroots and ensuring that we hold the most transparent, inclusive, and fair primary in our party’s history. I’m thrilled that we’ll get the chance to showcase our terrific candidates to voters in Florida and across the nation.”
The debate will be broadcast live across all three networks with real-time Spanish translations on Telemundo.
It will also be streamed for free on NBC News’ digital properties, including NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, NBC News Mobile App, and OTT apps in addition to Telemundo’s digital platforms.
“Miami is the perfect place to introduce our extraordinary presidential candidates to the country,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo.
“When [our candidates] take the stage, they’re going to show the American people that the Democratic Party is the party of ideas,” Rizzo added. “We’re fighting to empower voters, expand opportunity, and build a brighter future for all Americans. People are hungry for new leadership in the White House, and after the first debate, they’re going to be fired up and ready to organize for Democrats.”
The DNC said additional details on the venue, moderators, and various logistical considerations will be announced at a later date.
The most recent Democratic presidential debate in South Florida was held on March 9, 2016, and featured former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Va.
Held on the Kendall Campus of Miami Dade College in Kendall, Florida, it was broadcast through a partnership between Univision and The Washington Post.
In The News
Health
Voting
Elections

WASHINGTON – All six conservative justices on the Supreme Court appeared inclined Tuesday to support voting restrictions imposed in Arizona that critics say discriminate against racial minorities. The case, Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (Consolidated), is one of the most watched of the current Supreme Court... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Democrats in Congress want to overhaul the nation’s voting laws with the “For the People Act” (H.R. 1). Their majority in the House makes approval of the bill likely as soon as this week. H.R. 1 would reduce barriers to voting by extending early... Read More

ATLANTA (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Georgia muscled legislation through the state House on Monday that would roll back voting access, over the objection of Democrats and civil rights groups gathered at the Capitol to protest. The bill comes after record turnout led to Democratic wins... Read More

ST. LOUIS – The city of St. Louis, Mo., will hold its mayoral primary Tuesday with a new electoral process approved by voters in November. Under the so-called “approval voting” regime, candidates of all political affiliations will appear on the ballot without partisan labels. The measure... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Congress begins debate this week on sweeping voting and ethics legislation, Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing: If signed into law, it would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections law in at least a generation. House Resolution 1,... Read More

WASHINGTON - An independent political committee's use of aggregate contribution data related to PACs does not run afoul of the Federal Election Campaign Act, the Federal Elections Commission said. Full Employment Now-Political Action Committee is an independent expenditure-only political committee that engages members of Congress and Congressional candidates... Read More