Virginia State Will Host A 2024 Presidential Debate

By Rosaland Tyler
Associate Editor
New Journal and Guide

On Oct. 1, Virginia State University will make history when it hosts one of four 2024 Presidential Debates that will be held on college campuses.

Specifically, Virginia State will host the second Presidential debate. It is the first time that the Commission on Presidential Debates has selected a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as a debate site. On Sept. 16, Texas State University in San Marcos will host the first debate. The University of Utah in Salt Lake City will host the third debate. On Sept. 25, the lone vice-presidential debate will be held at Lafayette College in Easton, Penn.

“Virginia State University is proud to announce that it has been chosen by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host a 2024 Presidential Debate,” Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, president of Virginia State said in a recent press release.

“This is a momentous occasion for VSU, as it is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ever selected to host a General Election U.S. Presidential Debate. The debate, scheduled for October 1, 2024, is the second of three scheduled general election presidential debates,” Abdullah said.

“We are honored and grateful to have been chosen as a host for a 2024 Presidential Debate. This is a historic moment for our university and for HBCUs nationwide. Our university mantra is “Greater Happens Here,” and we look forward to welcoming the candidates, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the entire nation.”

While the Biden campaign refused to comment on the announcement, according to NBC News, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for former President Donald Trump’s campaign, said, “President Trump has already addressed this in multiple interviews this past year.”

The RNC did not immediately respond to an interview request. The commission said it would announce additional details about the debates, including the format and the moderators, next year.