The Daily Campus is proud to announce that it will be hosting a televised debate for the Dallas mayoral race candidates this spring.

We have partnered with KTVT, the local CBS affiliate, and the debate will be aired live from the Hughes-Trigg Theater on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

All three candidates, Ron Natinsky, Mike Rawlings and David Kunkle have confirmed their attendance.

“We are excited to be hosting such an important event for the city of Dallas,” said Jessica Huseman, politics editor for The Daily Campus and the head of the steering committee for the event. “The rest of the steering committee and I believe that this is a unique opportunity for SMU, and it will put us in the spotlight for one of Dallas’ most important races.”

The steering committee for the event also includes David De la Fuente, president of SMU College Democrats; Chad Cohen, president of SMU College Republicans; Opinion editor Adriana Martinez, the executive director of the Tower Center’s Student Forum; Alex Ehmke, a member of Student Senate and Meredith Shamburger, online editor for The Daily Campus.

Huseman and De la Fuente first discussed the possibility in January, and the group was able to gain candidates’ interest by February.

De la Fuente is eager for the opportunity to come to campus.

“An SMU that strives to be the centerpiece of Dallas-area politics is an SMU that will be able to provide more educational opportunities for its students, while at the same time, serving the Dallas community,” he said.

The Daily Campus and KTVT are still planning the final format of the debate, but KTVT will be providing the moderator.

One person from each geographical area of Dallas will make a panel to ask questions, with hopes to bridge the gaps existing in the various areas of the city.

Panel members will most likely be from community papers and blogs from the respective areas. Students will also be able to participate.

The Daily Campus is still selling sponsorships for the debate, ranging in price from $50 to $500, including benefits such as recognition in advertisements, advertisements in the program, the ability to have an informational booth in the lobby of the event and reserved seats to the debate.

Any member of the steering committee can assist in providing further information.

A portion of the theater will include reserved seating, but the majority will be free and open to the public.

Huseman believes this opportunity for the Dallas community is just as great of a chance for SMU students.

“Our goal is to have as many SMU students as possible at this event,” Huseman said. “SMU students are a large part of the city of Dallas, so there is no reason we shouldn’t make our mark on Dallas politics as well.”

Taylor Adams is the Spring 2011 Editor in Chief.