Update Nov. 6, 2019:
This morning, the Democratic National Committee asked our media partners to move the December 19, 2019 debate to another venue following renewed and unanticipated objections from organized labor. With regret, we have agreed to step aside as the site of the debate rather than become a potential distraction during this vitally important time in our country’s history.
Posted Oct. 29, 2019:
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs is welcoming to campus hosts “PBS NewsHour” and Politico for the sixth Democratic debate of the 2020 presidential primary campaign.
The debate will take place on Thursday, Dec. 19, in UCLA’s historic Royce Hall.
The Democratic National Committee toughened criteria for candidates to qualify for the Los Angeles debate. The debate’s format and moderators will be announced at a future date.
Ticketing will be handled by the DNC. A limited number of tickets will be made available to students, alumni and other individuals associated with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Information about the UCLA Luskin ticketing process will be distributed later through internal channels.
“As a public institution, UCLA is committed to civic engagement and sharing knowledge that benefits our community here in Los Angeles, as well as the nation and the world. As such, UCLA has a long history of hosting political debates, including the presidential debate between George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis in 1988 and last year’s California gubernatorial debate, to help voters make more informed choices,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said. “We are proud to host the Democratic candidates for president here at UCLA in December and look forward to other opportunities where our campus and community can engage with candidates from both parties for national, state and local offices.”
The forum will be part of UCLA’s Luskin Lecture Series, which enhances public discourse on topics relevant to the betterment of society.
The Luskin Lecture Series demonstrates the school’s commitment to encouraging innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions to formidable public policy challenges, UCLA Luskin Dean Gary Segura said. “The Luskin School of Public Affairs is thrilled to bring this debate to campus. Civic education and thoughtful consideration of the issues facing our society is our core mission and our passion.”
The debate will be held in the midst of UCLA’s centennial year, when the campus is recognizing its many contributions to Los Angeles, the nation and the world since its founding in 1919, as well as looking ahead to another century of discovery and achievement. Founded 25 years ago, the Luskin School incorporates the fields of social work, urban and regional planning, and policymaking. The unique intersection of these disciplines within one school allows for academic cross-collaboration and a rich education for students in the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.
