Florida Atlantic University will host statewide televised debates in October for Florida’s 2026 races for U.S. Senate and governor, organizers of the long-running “Decision 2026: Before YOU Vote” debate series announced.
The U.S. Senate debate is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, followed by the gubernatorial debate on Thursday, Oct. 15. Both debates will be broadcast live from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, with one-hour delays in the Panama City and Pensacola markets.
The debates will be held at FAU’s Boca Raton campus and organized by the nonpartisan “Before YOU Vote” partnership, which has produced statewide televised debates in Florida for more than two decades.
“As voters prepare to make important decisions that will shape the future of our state and nation, Florida Atlantic University is proud to serve as a trusted convener for these debates,” FAU President Adam Hasner said.
The 2026 election cycle is expected to draw national attention, with Gov. Ron DeSantis nearing the end of his second term and voters preparing to choose his successor. Floridians will also decide a U.S. Senate race in which former state Attorney General Ashley Moody, appointed to the seat after Marco Rubio became secretary of state under President Donald Trump, is seeking voter approval for the first time as a senator. Democrats running for the seat include retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, state Rep. Angie Nixon and Orlando-area educator Josh Weil, while Moody also faces Republican primary opposition. The winner of the race will serve the remaining two years of Rubio’s original six-year term.
Candidates must meet a polling threshold to qualify for the debates, which organizers defined as at least 12.5 percent support in a September Mason-Dixon Polling survey, including the benefit of the poll’s margin of error.
A statewide consortium of broadcast partners will air the debates in all 10 Florida media markets, including stations in West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Gainesville, Fort Myers, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Pensacola and Panama City. Florida Public Media is expected to simulcast the debates on public radio, while Spanish-language broadcasts will also be provided. C-SPAN is expected to rebroadcast both debates nationally.
WPBF anchor Todd McDermott will moderate both debates, with a two-person panel of journalists also questioning candidates. Alongi Media will serve as executive producer of the series.
Of note, The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) said on Tuesday afternoon it had not sanctioned or agreed to any statewide debates, stating that any prior discussions were focused on potential post-primary negotiations involving the eventual nominees, their campaigns and the opposing party.
Party Chairman Evan Power said the RPOF remains committed to general-election debates after the August primary, but criticized the announcement as an attempt to “unilaterally dictate terms” to candidates.