The 2014 political campaign season will have a prominent presence on the Oklahoma State University campus thanks to the OSU Debate Series: Decision 2014. The series kicks off with a U.S. Senate Republican Primary debate on Thursday, May 1 from 8-9 p.m. inside the “Little” Theater at the OSU Student Union.

The debate is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Former state senator Randy Brogdon, Rep. James Lankford, and state House speaker T.W. Shannon will engage in the hour-long debate, which will also be streamed live on OState.TV. The candidates will be available for media interviews following the debate.

Dr. Brandon Lenoir, a visiting assistant professor in political science at OSU, will serve as moderator. The format includes 30 minutes of moderated debate and 20 minutes of audience questions, bookended by opening and closing statements from each candidate.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the broader Oklahoma State University community,” Lenoir said. “By hosting this debate series on the OSU campus we are giving students a front-row seat to the political process. Not only can they see the candidates, they will also have the ability to ask them questions. Here at OSU we are educating the future leaders of Oklahoma. These debates will help make them more informed, more involved, and better prepared to take on the challenges of the state and the country.”

The OSU Debate Series: Decision 2014 will continue in the fall and will include a Gubernatorial, Superintendent of Public Schools, and two U.S. Senate general election debates. The dates for these future debates are to be determined.