Meadville, Pa. – Sept. 18, 2008 – The Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College will host a debate for the candidates for U.S. Congress, Pennsylvania District 3, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in Ford Chapel.
The 70-minute debate between Democratic candidate Kathy Dahlkemper and Republican candidate Phil English will be co-moderated by Allegheny College Professor of Political Science Daniel M. Shea and WSEE TV news anchor Jacqueline Policastro.
“Given the critical importance of young voters, not only in this election but to the democratic ideals that underpin our government, we are particularly pleased to host this debate,” Shea said. “Students deserve to hear from both candidates directly, and few activities are as ideally suited to fostering informed, engaged voters as robust debate.”
Policastro joined WSEE in January of 2007 as Washington bureau chief and correspondent. Prior to joining the Newswatch team, she worked for Associated Press Television in Washington. She also spent time at ABC News in Washington, Fox News in New York City, and the Today Show in Sydney, Australia. Policastro is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Boston University with a major in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.
Shea is director of Allegheny College’s Center for Political Participation. He has a bachelor of arts in political science and American studies from the State University of New York at Oswego and a master of arts in campaign management/applied politics from the University of West Florida. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from the State University of New York at Albany. Shea has written or edited 12 books on the American electoral process. His most recent project, “Living Democracy” (Prentice Hall, 2007), is a textbook on American government designed to inspire students and help them experience the impact of government in their daily lives. In 2007 Shea also edited, with John C. Green, “The Fountain of Youth: Strategies and Tactics for Mobilizing America’s Young Voters” (Rowman and Littlefield).
In keeping with Allegheny’s commitment to open campaign events as articulated by the Soapbox Alliance—a national coalition of colleges and universities founded by Allegheny in 2007—the debate is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. However, seating is limited and will be available on a first-come first-served basis.