Republican Senator and vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance and Democrat vice-presidential candidate and Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz have agreed to debate each other on October 1, setting up a face-to-face match-up as early voting in some states kicks off for the general election.
On Wednesday, CBS News posted on its X feed that the network had invited Walz and Vance to debate in New York City, presenting four potential dates — September 17, September 24, October 1, and October 8 — as options.
Gov. Walz reposted the message from his campaign’s account, saying, “See you October 1, JD.” The Harris-Walz campaign followed that message on its own, stating that Walz “looks forward to debating J.D. Vance — if he shows up.”
Vance posted on X that he would accept the October 1 invitation and challenged Walz to meet on September 18.
Harris-Walz campaign officials didn’t immediately return a message seeking to comment on Vance’s acceptance of the earlier debate that he said would be on CNN or whether Walz would be participating.
CNN representatives confirmed Vance had accepted the network’s invitation to debate.
According to the network, Margaret Brennan of “Face the Nation” and Norah O’Donnell, anchor of “CBS Evening News,” will moderate the October 1 debate.
Whether Vance and Walz would debate before the November 5 general election had been questioned in only the past several weeks. President Joe Biden left the campaign, and Democrats chose Vice President Kamala Harris to head their ticket.
Vance has primarily focused on Harris, who he would have debated before Biden’s withdrawal
Vance has primarily focused on Harris, whom he was set to debate before Biden’s withdrawal from the race. He has criticized Walz, including questioning the retired Army National Guard member’s service record.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has said he wanted Vance to debate Walz on CBS, which had been discussing possible dates for the meeting.
The debate is expected to occur in the weeks following the September 10 presidential debate, which Harris and Trump recently agreed upon on ABC News.
Former President Trump has said he negotiated several other debate dates on three different networks. Fox News has also proposed a debate between Trump and Harris for September 4, with NBC News angling to broadcast one on September 25.
During a Michigan appearance, Harris said she was “happy to have that conversation” about an additional debate.
