Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton will host this year’s general election debates — with the U.S. Senate debate now set for Tuesday, Oct. 13th, followed by the governor’s race on Thursday, Oct. 15th. Both debates will be broadcast from 7-8 p.m. Eastern, with one-hour time zone delays in Panama City and Pensacola.
“Decision 2026: Before YOU Vote” is the longest-running televised debate series in Florida’s modern history. Partners in the project include Florida Trend, The James Madison Institute, Florida Press Association/Foundation, the LeRoy Collins Institute, and the project’s lead producing station, WPBF/25, the Hearst-owned ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach.
“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,” said Adam Hasner, president of Florida Atlantic University. “While the debates present an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and participate in the democratic process, they also provide a great educational experience for our students, who will be able to witness democracy in action.”
Sponsors helping to offset costs of the debate project include the Florida League of Cities, Florida Realtors, Florida Bankers Association, & the Claude Pepper Foundation. One sponsorship remains available. All funding for the project is administered by “Decision 2026” fiscal agent, the Florida Press Foundation.
As the second term of Governor Ron DeSantis heads toward completion, Florida is drawing national political interest as the state is expected to have robust contests to elect Florida’s next U.S. Senator and governor, on the Nov 3, 2026, general election ballot.
Dr. Robert McClure, President & CEO of The James Madison Institute, offered insight about the importance of the “Before YOU Vote” 2026 edition.
“These debates provide Floridians with an invaluable opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, compare their ideas, and make informed decisions before casting their ballots,” said Dr. McClure. “We’re proud to continue partnering with organizations across Florida to promote civil discourse, increase voter understanding, and strengthen our state’s democratic institutions through this longstanding tradition.”
A consortium of top network affiliate TV station broadcast partners statewide will blanket Florida with the debate programs in all 10 Florida markets:
West Palm Beach – WPBF25/ABC Orlando – WESH2/NBC
Tampa/St. Petersburg – WFLA8/NBC Miami/Ft. Lauderdale WTVJ/NBC6
Gainesville – WCJB20/ABC Fort Myers – WBBH/Gulf Coast News
Tallahassee WCTV6/CBS Jacksonville –WJXX25/ABC
Pensacola – WEAR3/ABC Panama City –WMBB13/ABC
