Audience to be permitted at Senate debate - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Indiana Debate Commission will proceed with plans for a live broadcast of the U.S. Senate debate scheduled in New Albany despite an orchestrated run on tickets made by union workers on the campus of Indiana University Southeast this week.

"This is unfortunate, but we've received assurances from various union officials that this debate will not be disrupted and that our rules and policies will be followed on debate night," said Max Jones, president of the commission and editor of the Tribune-Star newspaper in Terre Haute.

Jones said union organizers have assured him they would agree to conditions set by the commission - no organized outbursts, no wearing of political or union apparel and removal of any participant who disturbs the live broadcast.

More than half of the 500 tickets were claimed this Tuesday at the venue box office in about an hour by people wearing United Auto Worker attire and who arrived on campus in groups, according to box office personnel. The public was notified via local media Friday that tickets were available to claim during box office hours. The box office is closed on Mondays.

The mid-morning run on tickets occurred at a busy time on campus when an estimated 1,000 school children and buses were on campus for activities under way at the Paul W. Ogle Cultural & Community Center.

"Our goal is to provide open and public access in public venues that are generously donated," said Jones. "The commission will not cancel the debate so that the other ticket holders and Hoosier voters who legitimately claimed their tickets can hear directly from the candidates."

The board voted late Thursday afternoon to proceed with the debate as scheduled and notified the candidates and their campaign managers. University officials will be providing additional security for the debate, including campus police and other law enforcement agencies.

This is the first time in the commission's history that an orchestrated ticket run has taken place. The New Albany debate for U.S. Senate candidates is the last debate of the season scheduled in a public venue before a live audience.

(This story is a news release from the Indiana Debate Commission.)