The University of Alabama will be hosting the first gubernatorial debate between Republican candidate Dr. Robert Bentley and Democratic candidate and Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Moody Concert Hall. Debbie Elliot, a UA graduate and NPR News correspondent will serve as moderator.
Student tickets for the gubernatorial debate will be available on Sept. 13 on the My Football Tickets tab of the ACTion Card website. Students will be able to request tickets from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Requests will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets will not be available at the door and no tickets will be offered to the general public.
Students can submit questions to be used in the debate by visiting the debate website at decisionalabama.ua.edu.
Dr. Bentley said he hopes to make the decision easy for first time voters.
“It’s always a pleasure to be on the University of Alabama campus,” Bentley said. “I’m looking forward to being able to share my message of how I plan to help Alabama as governor.
“This will be a great opportunity, especially for first time voters, for students to hear both sides of the issues so they can make a clear decision on who they will vote for in November.”
Ron Sparks said he hopes to differentiate himself from his opponent by discussing how a lottery could help Alabama.
“A lottery would give scholarships to students across the state,” Sparks said. “It would make sure that families who can’t afford to send their kids to college are now given an opportunity to see their children go to college.
“The scholarships are paid for by a lottery,” he said. “Too much of our money goes to give Georgia kids college scholarships. I want our money to give our kids scholarships here.”
SGA President James Fowler said he is excited to be co-hosting the debate with the League of Women Voters and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program.
“As an SGA, we’ve had wonderful partners in the League of Women Voters, the Chambers of Commerce and ADAP in setting up this premiere event,” Fowler said. “We are looking forward to having both candidates on campus. I hope this debate will be a conduit for the discussion of pressing issues facing the state of Alabama in the next four years.”
The debate will be broadcasted live on Alabama Public Television, Alabama Public Radio and al.com. UA Debate Coordinator Jimmy Young said he believes the live broadcasts offer a great opportunity to citizens across the state.
“Our team inside of SGA has been working on this debate for a year and a half, and we’re so excited to provide this service not only to members of the UA community but to all Alabama citizens,” Young said.
“This debate serves as the perfect forum for both Commissioner Sparks and Dr. Bentley to share their ideas for the future of our state with all Alabamians through the live broadcast on APT, APR and al.com.”
Fast Facts
The gubernatorial debate will be held Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. in Moody Concert Hall
Student tickets will be available at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 13 on the My Football Tickets tab of the ACTion Card website.
Students can submit questions to the debate at decisionalabama.ua.edu
