JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Wednesday the 16 locations being considered to host a presidential or vice presidential debate next fall, and Jacksonville University is on the list.
University officials say it is the first time JU has competed for one of the nationally televised debates.
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"We are humbled and honored to be considered as a host site and believe we are an ideal location, not only because Florida is a key state in national elections but also because of our emerging role as a leader in public policy and discourse," said JU President Tim Cost. "We've made an outstanding competitive bid highlighting our excellent facilities and resources and are grateful to have very broad public, private and civic support."
JU is the only school from Florida to make the list of proposed sites. Such events typically bring wide international attention, thousands of media members and substantial economic impact to their host communities.
Cost said JU's infrastructure and facilities add strength to the university's qualifications as a debate site, and the university is willing to commit multiple venues across its 250-acre riverfront campus to serve the staff, media and administrative needs for the event.
JU just hosted News4Jax debates with the candidates for Jacksonville mayor and sheriff, and will do so again in May, the week before the city's runoff election.
The commission is expected to announce final locations this fall.
Other sites being considered by the debate commission:
• Belmont University, Nashville
• City of Birmingham, Birmingham
• City of McAllen, McAllen, Texas
• Dominican University of California, San Rafael, Calififornia
• Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky
• Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, Georgia
• Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
• Houston Community College, Houston
• Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia
• State University of New York Rockland Community College (SUNY RCC) in partnership with Rockland Debates 2016, Suffern, New York
• Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas
• Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis
• West Virginia University and West Virginia State University, Charleston, West Virginia
• Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio