Boca Raton is about to become Florida’s political hot seat for two nights this fall. WPBF 25 will produce, moderate and televise the state’s U.S. Senate and gubernatorial debates, both taking place at Florida Atlantic University. The U.S. Senate showdown is set for Tuesday, Oct. 13, with the governor’s debate following on Thursday, Oct. 15, each airing statewide from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern. The plan was announced July 7, 2026, as organizers began locking in production partners and local hosts.
What WPBF Will Air
According to WPBF, veteran anchor Todd McDermott will moderate both hourlong debates, which the station will televise and stream across Florida. The Senate debate is slated for Oct. 13 and the gubernatorial debate for Oct. 15, each originating from FAU’s Boca Raton campus and running from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern. WPBF says more details on panelists and viewing partners will roll out as the fall schedule locks in.
Who’s Producing
Alongi Media will executive-produce the Decision 2026: Before YOU Vote debate series, FloridaPolitics reports, with Phil Alongi Sr. and Phil Alongi II named as executive producers. Partners on the events include Florida Trend, the Florida Press Association/Foundation, the James Madison Institute and the LeRoy Collins Institute, according to FloridaPolitics. The outlet also notes that party leaders have already joined planning calls, and that official nominees will receive invitations once the Aug. 18 primaries are decided.
Why FAU?
In a statement to FloridaPolitics, FAU President Adam Hasner said the university is "proud to serve as a trusted convener" for the debates, pointing to the educational upside for students who will be able to watch the candidates spar in person. Organizers are pitching the back-to-back events as a prime chance for voters to size up the nominees just ahead of a high-profile election cycle. Sponsors listed in the announcement include the Florida League of Cities, Florida Realtors and the Florida Bankers Association.
A Station With Debate History
This is familiar territory for WPBF and McDermott. Past Decision events and press-association debates have been staged in the Palm Beach market and used a moderator-plus-panel format, according to DebateFlorida. That same setup will return, with a single moderator posing questions drawn from a select panel of journalists and civic partners. Organizers say the streamlined structure keeps the hour tightly focused and gives viewers a clearer side-by-side comparison of where the nominees stand on issues that matter to Florida voters.
How To Watch
Both debates are scheduled to air live statewide from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern and are expected to stream on WPBF platforms. Viewers are encouraged to monitor WPBF for updates on viewing partners, streaming links and media credentialing. Producers say invitations will go out to the official nominees once primary contests wrap on Aug. 18, with participation criteria made public before the fall debates. Local residents hoping to be in the room should keep an eye on FAU and WPBF announcements later this summer for ticket information and campus access details.
