PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will debate each other for the first time in Philadelphia next month at the National Constitution Center, ABC News announced Friday morning.
The debate, hosted by ABC News, is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 9 p.m.
City officials said they are thrilled that Philly was chosen to host the first debate.
Philadelphia Democratic committee chair Bob Brady said it’s another big boost for the city. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is an adviser to the Harris campaign, said he can’t think of a better spot — "just blocks away from where our founders wrote down on paper what our principles were going to be," he said.
"All of us at the National Constitution Center are thrilled and honored to host the September presidential debate," added NCC President Jeffrey Rosen, who is working with ABC and the Secret Service on logistics. As of now, the debate will air live from the center with no live audience.
The debate has taken on greater importance since June, when President Joe Biden’s poor performance in a debate against Trump led to his withdrawal from the race.
Trump initially sought to cancel the Sept. 10 debate when Harris became the candidate, but last week he agreed to go through with it. Harris has agreed to a second debate in October on the condition that Trump actually participates in the Sept. 10 event There’s no venue or sponsor for that yet.
Both candidates’ running mates have also agreed to a debate, this one hosted by CBS News. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance will face off on Oct. 1 in New York City.