McCormack Graduate School Of Policy And Global Studies At UMass Boston, WBUR, Boston Globe To Host Gubernatorial Debates This Spring

UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, WBUR and The Boston Globe plan to host live debates among the candidates running for governor this year.

The first debate, among the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, will take place on the UMass Boston campus on Thursday, May 17.

It will be conducted as part of WBUR’s Radio Boston program, from 3 to 4 p.m., before a live audience, and live-streamed by the sponsors at bostonglobe.com, wbur.org and umb.edu.

The show’s host, Meghna Chakrabarti, will be joined by a co-moderator Shira T. Center, political editor from The Boston Globe. All three candidates running for the Democratic nomination — Jay Gonzalez, Bob Massie and Setti Warren —  have accepted our invitation to the debate.

Gov. Charlie Baker has also been invited to appear on another segment of Radio Boston that will include questions from WBUR and a Globe reporter.

The sponsors are also planning similar debates and conversations among candidates running for the U.S. Senate this summer, and for the general election in the fall.

"We know voters will want to be as informed as possible when they vote in the primary in September,” said David Cash, dean of the McCormack Graduate School. “We strive to be a catalyst for civic discussions and are delighted to help provide this forum for the public."

“WBUR is pleased to collaborate with UMass Boston's McCormack Graduate School and The Boston Globe on these important public debates because of our firm belief in promoting civic dialogue and public discourse,” said Tom Melville, executive news director of WBUR. “We’re particularly pleased to provide live broadcasts of the debates through Radio Boston, our vibrant daily local afternoon program, and live-stream through wbur.org.”

"These debates not only provide an important public service to Massachusetts, but they're also at the core of the Globe's mission," said Brian McGrory, editor of The Boston Globe. "We're looking forward to our continued partnership, and we invite voters and readers to watch these debates and read about them on BostonGlobe.com."

The debates will be free and open to the public, but registration will be required. A media advisory and additional information will be forthcoming.