About the Indiana Debate Commission

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.