Tag: 2016 Election

Charleston Among 16 Cities Competing to Host Presidential Debate

The Commission on Presidential Debates released Wednesday the list of cities who have applied to host one of four debates in 2016. 

In all, 16 cities have applied to the federal commission to host either one of three presidential or the vice- presidential debate in the fall of 2016.

West Virginia University and West Virginia State University have teamed up with the City of Charleston, Governor’s Office and law firm Steptoe and Johnson on a proposal to host an event at the Clay Center in the capital city.

Applicants include:

  • Belmont University, Nashville, TN  
  • City of Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
  • City of McAllen, McAllen, TX
  • Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA
  • Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
  • Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
  • Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY   
  • Houston Community College, Houston, TX
  • Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL
  • Longwood University, Farmville, VA
  • State University of New York Rockland Community College (SUNY RCC) in partnership with Rockland Debates 2016, Suffern, NY
  • Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas, NV
  • Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
  • West Virginia University and West Virginia State University, Charleston, WV
  • Wright State University, Dayton, OH

The Commission on Presidential Debates considers things like the size of the debate hall, number of hotels rooms in the area and nearness to air transportation when choosing the host cities.

A final announcement is expected to come in the fall.

Could Charleston Host a Presidential Debate?

A coalition of West Virginia groups is working to bring a presidential or vice presidential debate to the state’s capital city. 

The West Virginia Commission on Presidential Debates has spent the past six months putting together an application hundreds of pages in length detailing why Charleston is the perfect place for a 2016 debate.

    

The commission is made up of representatives from West Virginia University, West Virginia State University, the governor’s office, the City of Charleston and the law firm Steptoe and Johnson.

They propose holding either one of three presidential or the vice presidential debate at the Clay Center in the fall of 2016. 

Usually held on a college campus, the commission’s chair Mike Stuart, an attorney with Steptoe and Johnson in Charleston and a former West Virginia GOP State Chairman, said Wednesday Charleston offers all of the things the federal commission is looking for. 

"This city was really built for an event like this." -Mike Stuart, Chair of The West Virginia Commission on Presidential Debates

According to their website, the federal Commission on Presidential Debates requires:

  • A 17,000 square foot debate hall.
  • A large parking area close to the debate hall for 40 television remote trucks, trailers and/or satellite trucks.
  • A media filing center, located either in the same facility as the debate hall or extremely close to the debate hall that is a minimum of 20,000 square feet.  
  • Nearby hotels that can provide 3,000 rooms for the event.
  • Good air and ground transportation networks.
  • The host’s guarantee of complete city services, including public safety personnel.

With the dozens of hotels located in the metro area, the ease of access to Yeagar Airport and the location of the National Guard who would could coordinate security with national, state and local police agencies, Stuart said Charleston is an ideal location.
In return, he predicted the Kanawha Valley could see an economic impact of $12-18 million, with an larger $50 million economic impact for the state as a whole. 

The 2012 Presidential debates were held in Hampstead, New York, Boca Raton, Florida and Denver, Colorado. The Vice Presidential debate was held in Danville, Kentucky.

Stuart says the list of 14 to 20 applicants will be released by the federal presidential debate commission next week with final four locations chosen by November.

W.Va. Sen. Kessler Files Early Paperwork for Governor Bid

State Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler has filed pre-candidacy paperwork for an open governor’s race.

The Marshall County Democrat changed the office he’s seeking Thursday in the early paperwork from “undeclared” to “governor.”

In a 2011 special election, Kessler placed fifth in the Democratic primary for governor.

He would be up for re-election in the Senate in 2016, and can’t run for both.

Kessler served as Senate president before Republicans took control of the Legislature this year.

He has criticized policies pushed by the Republican majority.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is also considering a run at governor, a job he held for two terms.

Several Republicans are considering runs.

Pre-candidacy filing lets someone start raising and spending money for the election.

The Charleston Daily Mail first reported Kessler’s intentions.

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