COLUMBUS, Ohio — When President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump square off Thursday in the first debate of the 2024 presidential race, there will be no shortage of places in Northeast Ohio to watch it.
Republicans and Democrats have each planned a number of watch parties for the 90-minute debate, which is set to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
The Republican Party of Cuyahoga County is hosting a watch party at Rock Creek Kitchen and Bar in Middleburg Heights from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the event, which is co-hosted by the Strongsville GOP and Middleburg Heights GOP.
The Summit County Republicans are planning to watch the debate at their headquarters in Akron, with light snacks and refreshments provided. They’re asking for people to RSVP by emailing Claire Jimerson, the county party’s political director, at [email protected].
The Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, meanwhile, has a watch party at New Heights Grill in Cleveland Heights starting at 8:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to RSVP to [email protected].
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Several others are holding presidential debate watch parties around Ohio, including:
- The Franklin County Democrats are co-hosting a watch party from 8-11 pm. The location is being kept private except for those who sign up to attend.
- The Montgomery County Republicans are holding a watch party at their Dayton headquarters starting at 8:30 p.m.
- The Pickaway County GOP’s watch party starts at 8:30 p.m. at Gibby’s Sports Bar in Circleville.
The debate is being hosted by CNN at its Atlanta headquarters, though it’s also being simulcast by other major networks and cable channels, including CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, Fox News, and MSNBC. CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are moderating.
Jeremy Pelzer covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.