LOCAL NEWS

What did Utah lose after the Presidential debate was pulled?

Jun 27, 2024, 4:48 PM | Updated: 5:23 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — As the current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump take the stage in Atlanta for a historic, first-of-its-kind debate, Utah is mourning the loss of its scheduled Presidential debate for October.

The University of Utah was supposed to be the final stop for the highest-profile presidential debate of the political cycle. But the Presidential Debate Commission recently informed the university that none of the planned 2024 cycle debates would happen – making it official that the event scheduled for October 9 is canceled.

“The Biden-Harris Campaign informed the Commission that President Biden will not agree to debate under the sponsorship of the Commission during the 2024 general election campaign,” CDP Co-chairs Antonia Hernández and Frank Fahrenkopf said in a statement that the University posted on its website.

“It is unfair to ask the four campuses to continue to prepare for their debates, as they have been doing since their November 2023 selection.

We are grateful to the sites, and we are sorry to come to this decision,” the chairs said.

Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics who was tasked with organizing the event, said he too is disappointed.

“Of course we’re disappointed in that decision but it’s not in our control at all,” Perry said.

Perry said it cost $2.5 million to bid for the debate, money he said came from University of Utah revenue outside of student tuition or taxpayer money.

Perry said that the PDC will have to pay back the portion of that $2.5 million that they haven’t used, although he did not yet have a final accounting of how much that would be.

The Utah legislature also recently allocated an additional $2.5 million to be used for debate prep, but fearing that Trump would back out, the legislature put it in a fund that only gets spent with approval from the Executive Appropriations Committee. That never happened.

Money that has been spent, Perry said, was on hotels and some marketing costs.

“In terms of those high profile, big costs for fencing, etc., we negotiate all our contracts so we do not have those expenses,” he said.

Perry believed they have forged a good relationship with the Presidential Debate Commission and said that if anything falls through with these media debates, Utah is ready. But, he said he’s not hopeful it will happen this year.

“I don’t have really any hope that there’s going to be too many other debates than the two that are scheduled.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

53 minutes ago

Over a thousand people filled the state Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to vet...

Shara Park

Thousands gather at Capitol Hill to protest against controversial union bill

Over a thousand people filled the Utah State Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to veto HB267.

58 minutes ago

West Valley City police officers preforming a welfare check at the home of Sha Reh and Bu Meh on De...

Courtney Johns

Did police miss a key opportunity in West Valley family homicide?

KSL Investigators obtained body camera footage that provides insight into how West Valley City police responded to a welfare check the night before police discovered the tragic murder-suicide inside the home. 

1 hour ago

Ice Castles lit in pink and blue shades like cotton candy....

Michael Houck

Ice Castles close early due to warm weather

A popular winter attraction in Utah is ending early due to the shorter-than-expected winter season.

4 hours ago

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Friday explained body camera videos from Taylorsvill...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Police officers found justified in shooting, killing armed man in Taylorsville

Three Taylorsville police officers were legally justified when they opened fire on a man with a gun while responding to a domestic violence situation, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

5 hours ago

Utah's Capitol building...

The Deseret News Editorial Board

Opinion: Keep Utah government transparent

Through the years, Utah lawmakers have developed few things that work as well as the State Records Committee.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

What did Utah lose after the Presidential debate was pulled?