"We're thrilled:" UW-Milwaukee to host PBS NewsHour Democratic primary debate

MILWAUKEE -- PBS NewsHour will produce the first Democratic presidential candidates' debate following the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11th, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"We`re thrilled. We think this is not only great for UWM because we get a chance to show the world our campus over those couple of hours, but it`s also great for Milwaukee," Thomas Luljak, vice chancellor of university Relations and communications at UWM said.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC)-sanctioned debate will be held in the Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts.

"We have never hosted a national political debate before," Luljak said. "As we understand it now, there were several locations that they were scouting around Milwaukee."

NewsHour co-anchors and managing editors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff will moderate the PBS NewsHour Democratic Primary Debate, to be broadcast nationwide by PBS and WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public television station in the nation’s capital.

In addition to the national live broadcast on PBS, the debate — produced in cooperation with Milwaukee Public Television and WUWM 89.7 FM — will be streamed online at pbs.org/newshour .

“UW-Milwaukee has a long history of promoting civil discourse on important issues facing our society, and we are proud to host the debate on our campus,” University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone said. “Our school is an incredibly strong academic institution with a vast alumni base, robust research profile, and deep connection to the Milwaukee community — and we very much look forward to welcoming presidential candidates here this upcoming February.”

On November 10th, the Milwaukee Theatre played host to a Republican presidential debate. FOX Business Network partnered with the Wall Street Journal to host the Republican presidential primary debate focused on the economy.

"I`ve never seen Wisconsin be so in the middle of a presidential election," Mordecai Lee, UW-Milwaukee professor said.

Lee said he cannot recall any national debates in Milwaukee before this election.

"It`s all on purpose. It`s all to kind of lay the ground work, so come November, maybe having had the debate here in Milwaukee will influence the swing voters of Wisconsin to vote their way," Lee said.

The Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts seats about 750 people. PBS is renting the space so PBS will be building the stage and making all preparations.

Meanwhile, UWM officials are meeting with police and the Secret Service regarding security.

Pat Garrett, spokesman for the Wisconsin GOP issued this statement concerning the Democratic debate set for February in Milwaukee: