Full debate to be carried live on WTTG FOX 5 DC and online through Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service digital platforms
(February 23, 2022 – WASHINGTON) Georgetown University and its Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) at the McCourt School of Public Policy have announced a public partnership with WTTG FOX 5 DC to host a televised debate for qualifying individuals running to be the Democratic candidate for Mayor of the District of Columbia on June 1, 2022 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
The in-person debate will be held on Georgetown’s campus in historic Gaston Hall located at 3700 O St NW. The event will be televised on FOX 5 and WDCA, streamed online by GU Politics, and will be moderated by FOX 5’s Jeannette Reyes and Tom Fitzgerald and GU Politics Executive Director Mo Elleithee. It will be held in front of a live audience consisting of Georgetown University community members and residents from across the District, in compliance with any public health measures then in effect.
“This exciting partnership between the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service and FOX 5 DC is great news for voters who will have the chance to learn more about candidates running to serve them in these challenging times. We are thrilled to host the candidates for Mayor in what promises to be a very important discussion about the future of the District of Columbia,” said Mo Elleithee, Executive Director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service.
“We are proud to partner with Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service to present this important event to the community,” said Patrick Paolini, Senior Vice President and General Manager of WTTG FOX 5/WDCA FOX 5+. “Jeannette, Tom, and Mo seek to elicit answers from the candidates that will inform voters on which representative is best suited to fight for the needs of the local community at this critical time in history.”
Any candidate who meets at least one of the following three criteria will qualify and tentatively be invited to participate in the debate pending final confirmation they have also qualified for the ballot:
- Have been certified as a “participating candidate” in the District’s Fair Elections Program not later than via the May 10, 2022 Office of Campaign Finance Filing for Fair Elections Program participants, OR
- Have secured 1,000 campaign donations as demonstrated in the campaign’s May 10, 2022 Office of Campaign Finance Filing for Traditional Campaign Committees, OR
- Are polling at 3% or greater in an independent public poll sponsored by a media organization released between February 1 and May 18, 2022.
To date, Mayor Muriel Bowser, At-large Councilmember Robert White, and Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White have met at least one of the three criteria and been issued tentative invitations which will be finalized once they qualify for the ballot. To date, Robert White and Trayon White have accepted the tentative invitation. Additional candidates will be issued tentative invitations upon demonstration that they have satisfied any of the above-mentioned criteria by the deadlines.
WTTG FOX 5 DC will carry live the hour-long debate, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. DC residents can also watch the debate through Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service digital platforms, including politics.georgetown.edu. More information will be shared in advance of the debate including information on how to attend in-person or tune in virtually.
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ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE:
The Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) connects and empowers students and the broader community to improve and reimagine politics and public service and reaffirm its promise. Founded as part of the McCourt School of Public Policy in the fall of 2015, GU Politics programming is open to the entire Georgetown community.
ABOUT THE MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY:
As a top-ranked public policy school located in Washington, DC, the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy teaches students to design, analyze and put effective policies into practice in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. From the center of the policy world, the McCourt School connects with other leading institutions and organizations to tackle society’s most complex challenges — finding solutions that turn policy into impact.
ABOUT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY:
Established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Located in Washington DC, Doha, Qatar, and around the world, Georgetown University is a leading academic and research institution, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit georgetown.edu or connect with Georgetown on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
