Wright State University Withdraws From Hosting Presidential Debate

The event will move to Hofstra University in NY on Long Island, according to a statement from the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Hofstra University will host the first presidential debate, scheduled for September 26, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Tuesday. He called the expense to do so “daunting”. Hopkins said the costs of additional necessary security would add to the financial burden on the school.

The Commission on Presidential Debates said Tuesday that the Long Island university “served very successfully as a presidential debate site in 2012”.

This will be the third consecutive presidential election cycle in which Hofstra has hosted a presidential debate. But President Hopkins says the national tone has worsened so much since they agreed to the debate, that he simply can’t afford it. “I can’t dip into more reserves to do this debate”.

“We have a responsibility to our community both safety-wise and financially to do the right thing”, he stated. Thomas DiMassimo, a 22-year-old Wright State University student, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of illegally entering a restricted area.

“The commission looks forward to working with Hofstra once again”, the commission said in a statement. “Thank you to the Wright State community and all of Raider Country, especially our host committee, for your support through this journey”.

A total of four debates are scheduled before the election on November 8. Greene County News report compiled by Scott Halasz.

“I really wanted this experience for our students”, Hopkins said in a news conference.

Wright State president David Hopkins said the decision broke his heart but that the school was not able to raise enough money to hold the event or sufficiently address security concerns. “I hate this decision”.