About the Indiana Debate Commission

Founding Organizations

The following organizations were instrumental in founding the Indiana Debate Commission:

• Indiana Coalition of Open Government
• Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors
• Indianapolis Association of Black Journalists
• Indiana Associated Press Broadcasters Association
• Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations
• Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations
• Indiana Broadcasters Foundation
• Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
• League of Women Voters of Indiana
• The Radio-Television News Directors Association
• Hoosier State Press Association

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 longest serving, independent and non-partisan commission of its kind in the nation
• Receives all debate questions from the public at large – Putting Voters First
• Hosts all gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates who attain statewide ballot access
• Provides free audio/video feed to C-SPAN, Indiana newspapers, radio stations, TV stations (public and commercial), and nonprofit news outlets
• Relies on in-kind and charitable contributions
• Conducted 24 debates since 2008 for gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races
• Distributed free tickets to live audiences at 14 public venues, including high schools and colleges

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 (at) indianadebatecommission (dot) com