Democrats In Senate Seat Primary Set To Debate

The Democratic contenders for late Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s U.S. Senate seat are set to hold a televised debate in August.

NJTV, New Jersey’s public television station, will host a Democratic Primary debate beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 from Montclair State University, the television station said late Wednesday.

All four candidates – state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, U.S. Reps. Rush Holt and Frank Pallone and Newark Mayor Cory Booker – have confirmed their participation, the release says.

The 90-minute debate, to be called “NJDecides 2013: U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Debate,” the forum will be moderated by Mike Schneider, managing editor of NJTV's weeknight news program, “NJ Today with Mike Schneider,” the release says.

The debate will be conducted in a one-on-one interview style by Schneider, with contribution from Alfred Doblin, editorial page editor of The Record, the release says.

The station also plans to stream the debate on its website atnjtvonline.org.

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt said he looked forward to the debate.

"Elections are ultimately about substance, and a series of debates is the best way for voters to judge who is the most substantive and experienced candidate," Holt said.

This story was written by Patch Political Reporter Keith Brown.