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2020 Democratic Candidates Debate Tonight

June 26, 2019
2020 Democrative Debate graphic with podiums

It starts tonight. The first set of the 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls take the stage tonight for the first of two debates.

Here is a schedule of the Democratic Primary debates taking place in 2019 and 2020. These debates are between all the major Democratic candidates running for President in 2020.  We will update as more information is provided. 

The first set of the 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls take the stage tonight for the first of two debates.  

When are the debates?

Tonight and tomorrow. There are so many candidates that the Democratic National Committee and NBC News split it into two 10-person debates, from 9p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday and Thursday, airing on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo.

The Democratic National Committee has sanctioned up to 12 debates.  The Democratic National Committee announced there will be 6 debates in 2019, starting tonight and tomorrow, June 26-27, and another 6 debates in 2020 starting in January.

Where can you see it?

They will be televised live from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. It will air, in New York on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo, and will also be live streamed for free on NBC’s and Telemundo’s websites and apps.   They will also be streamed on Twitter and YouTube.

Who are the moderators?

Lester Holt of NBC News, Savannah Guthrie of the “Today” show and José Díaz-Balart of Telemundo will moderate for the first hour, with Chuck Todd of “Meet the Press” and Rachel Maddow of MSNBC joining in for the second.

Which candidates are participating?

On Wednesday, standing from left to right the candidates are New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Hawaii Rep Tulsi Gabbard, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and ex-Maryland Rep. John Delaney.

On Thursday, as seen from left to right, the candidates are Marianne Williamson, ex-Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, New York businessman John Yang, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, ex-Veep Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, California Sen. Kamala Harris, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, ex-Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and California Rep. Eric Swawell.

What are the Rules?

There will be no opening statements, and candidates will have 60 seconds to answer questions and 30 seconds for rebuttals. Closing statements will be 60 seconds.

The debates come seven months before the Iowa caucuses, with state-by-state primaries to follow before the November 2020 election.

RECAP:

Night One, Wednesday, June 26th from 9PM - 11PM
Night Two, Thursday, June 27th from 9PM - 11PM

When are the next debates?

Second Debate

July 30 & 31, 2019
CNN Democratic Primary Debate

Aired On: CNN

Live Stream: CNN.com

Location: Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan

Sponsors: TBD

Moderators: TBD

Qualified Candidates: TBD

Qualifications: A candidate will need to either have at least 1 percent support in three qualifying polls, or provide evidence of at least 65,000 individual donations from a minimum of 200 different donors in at least 20 states.

One candidate who missed the qualifications for this week’s debates, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D), announced that he has qualified for the July debates. 

Third Debate

September 12 & 13, 2019

ABC News Democratic Primary Debate

Aired On: ABC, Univision

Live Stream: ABC News Live

Location: TBD

Sponsors: TBD

Moderators: TBD

Candidates: TBD

Qualifications: A candidate will need to either have at least 2 percent support in three qualifying polls, or provide evidence of at least 130,000 individual donations from a minimum of 400 different donors in at least 20 states.

The rest of the debates are still being scheduled.