Photo of College Hall Bell Tower
University News

NJTV and Montclair State Co-Host New Jersey Lieutenant Gubernatorial Debate

Live debate held at Montclair State on October 16

Posted in: Communication and Media, University

Photo of Democratic Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver and Woodcliff Lake's Republican mayor, Carlos Rendo at Lieutenant Governor debate.

Photo credit: Amanda Brown

Political dignitaries from both sides of the aisle gathered at Montclair State University on October 16 for the 2017 New Jersey Lieutenant Gubernatorial Debate.

Co-hosted by NJTV and Montclair State, the live primetime event – including the pre-show, debate and post-debate analysis – was held in the University’s new state-of-the-art School of Communication and Media building. The pre-show and post-debate analysis were held in the facility’s broadcast-ready studios, and the debate was held in the building’s Presentation Hall.

A capacity crowd was on hand as Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy’s running mate, State Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, and Republican candidate Kim Guadagno’s running mate, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo, stated their positions on New Jersey’s most significant issues, including property taxes, attracting corporations to the state and the New Jersey Transit system.

The candidates also took questions from NJTV viewers via social media, including a question on making New Jersey more affordable for millennials from a Montclair State University student, James Coffey. Montclair State student journalists were able to take in the debate as members of the press, providing them a unique opportunity to gain experience in the field at one of the state’s most significant political events.

The 60-minute debate – the only one scheduled for the two candidates – was broadcast live on NJTV and live streamed on its website and on Facebook Live. Titled NJ Decides 2017: The Lieutenant Gubernatorial Debate, the debate was moderated by NJTV News Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron and coverage of the broadcast included commentary and analysis anchored by NJTV News anchor Mary Alice Williams and correspondents Michael Hill, Brenda Flanagan and David Cruz.

Although the two candidates for lieutenant governor will not debate again, the next gubernatorial debate between Kim Guadagno and Phil Murphy is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18.

Read media coverage of the Lieutenant Gubernatorial Debate:

Archived broadcast of the Lieutenant Gubernatorial Debate