Our Mission

The Indiana Debate Commission is a non-partisan, statewide group of affiliate organizations dedicated to promoting debates at the state level. The Commission works with candidates, sponsors, venues, media and citizen groups to promote open, unbiased and transparent debates for Hoosier voters.

Indiana Debate Commission Facts and Figures

  • Founded in 2007 as a 501c3 nonprofit
  • Hosted its first gubernatorial debates with three candidates in 2008
  • Remains the oldest independent and non-partisan commission of its kind in the nation
  • Receives all debate questions from the public at large – Putting Voters First
  • Includes all candidates who attain statewide ballot access, resulting in the broadest participation by statewide candidates seeking to represent Hoosiers
  • Provides free audio/video feed to a minimum of 160 Indiana newspapers, 259 Indiana radio stations and 33 Indiana TV stations (public and commercial)
  • Relies on in-kind and charitable contributions exceeding $300,000 in value since 2007
  • Conducted 23 debates since 2008 for Governor and U.S. Senate races, including many contested primaries
  • Distributed free tickets to live audiences at 14 locations such high schools and colleges throughout Indiana

The Indiana Debate Commission is one of only four state-level debate commissions in the United States. We believe Indiana voters make the difference in all statewide elections – and we exist for the voters.

Media can contact us via media@indianadebatecommiss.us7.cdn-alpha.com.

Indiana Debate Commission Board

Elizabeth Bennion
IDC President (for media)
Professor of Political Science
Indiana University
South Bend

Scott Uecker
IDC Treasurer (for donations)
General Manager
WICR-FM, UIndy TV, UIndy
Indianapolis

Chris Davis
News Director
93 WIBC Radio/Network Indiana
Indianapolis

Max Jones
Editor
Tribune-Star
Terre Haute

Giancarlo Sucre
Senior Integrated Marketing Specialist
Radio One
Indianapolis

W.S. (Bill) Wilson
Executive Editor, retired
The Rochester Sentinel
Rochester

Cathleen Shrader
IDC Vice President
Attorney
Barrett & McNagny, LLP
Fort Wayne

Cindi Andrews
Executive Editor
Courier & Press
Evansville

Shannon Cagle Dawson
PR Director
Indianapolis Classical Schools
Indianapolis

Gerry Lanosga
Associate Professor
Indiana University
Bloomington

Eunice Trotter
Director
Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program
Indianapolis

Laura Merrifield Wilson
Associate Professor of Political Science
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis

Lloyd Wright
CEO and General Manager, retired
WFYI Public Media
Indianapolis

Thomas Maloney
IDC Secretary
VP of Radio Operations
Lakeshore Public Media
Crown Point

Dan Byron
Partner
Bingham Greenebaum Doll, LLP
Indianapolis

Andy Downs
Professor of Political Science
Purdue University
Fort Wayne

Ambre L. Marr
State Legislative Director
AARP Indiana
Indianapolis

Thomas Weber
Owner and President
Weber Broadcast Services
Greenwood

Mike Wilson
PR Director
Indiana Comcast
Indianapolis