Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) have confirmed a vice-presidential debate scheduled for October 1, 2024, hosted by CBS News.
This debate will be the first of at least one televised face-off between the Republican and Democratic vice-presidential candidates before the general election in November.
At a campaign event in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Vance expressed his enthusiasm for the debate, stating, “I think we ought to do as many debates as we possibly can.” He also revealed that CNN had extended an invitation for a mid-September debate, which he accepted.
CBS News proposed four potential dates for the vice-presidential debate, with Walz confirming his participation for October 1. “I’m really looking forward to how that goes. We have very different visions of America,” Walz remarked at a Boston fundraiser.
The announcement of the October 1 debate comes amid speculation regarding former President Donald Trump’s debate plans.
Trump had initially agreed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10 but reconsidered after President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election. However, Trump’s campaign has since confirmed participation in the September 10 debate and proposed two additional debates, including one for October.
The Harris campaign has confirmed acceptance of Trump’s proposals for three debates — two presidential and one vice-presidential. “The debate about debates is over,” said Harris campaign spokesman Michael Tyler.
“Assuming Donald Trump actually shows up on September 10 to debate Vice President Harris, then Governor Walz will see JD Vance on October 1, and the American people will have another opportunity to see the vice president and Donald Trump on the debate stage in October.”
