Libertarian Shannon Bray and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin will meet for a virtual debate this week in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. The event will coincide with the start of the state’s in-person early voting period.
The Libertarian Party of North Carolina announced the debate last week, saying it will take place October 15 from 7:30 to 9:00p ET. Democratic nominee Roy Cooper and Republican nominee Michael Whatley, the other two candidates appearing on the general election ballot, were also invited, but neither campaign responded.
Ryan Rabah, co-founder of the We The People Party of North Carolina, will moderate the event. Bray and Dublin will answer questions on a range of topics, including the economy, healthcare, the war with Iran, tariffs, climate change, immigration, election integrity, voting rights, and other issues facing the state. Viewers will also be able to submit questions during the livestream or leave them in advance on posts promoting the debate, which Rabah may use as time allows.
“Four candidates will be on every North Carolina ballot for U.S. Senate, and two of them agreed to stand in front of voters and answer their questions,” Libertarian Party of North Carolina Communications Director Rob Yates said in the announcement. “[…] Governor Cooper and Mr. Whatley were invited, and the invitation still stands. But this debate goes on Thursday night either way, because voters deserve to hear from everyone on their ballot.”
According to the party, Bray is a Navy veteran and cybersecurity professional whose campaign has focused on digital privacy and government accountability. His campaign site also includes a focus on border security, election integrity, criminal justice reform, and the protection of civil liberties.
Dublin, meanwhile, is a recently retired public school teacher and community activist who is campaigning under the theme “People, Planet, and Progress.” According to his campaign site, his platform focuses on economic and environmental issues, immigrant rights, government reform, and foreign policy.
“Shannon and I disagree on plenty, and that’s the point,” Dublin said. “People deserve a real debate about the war, the economy, and who this government actually works for, not two well-funded campaigns talking past each other in 30-second ads.”
“I’m glad Michael is showing up, and I’m ready to answer any question put to me,” Bray similarly said. “Anyone asking for your vote should be.”
The debate will stream live on the Libertarian Party of North Carolina’s Facebook, X, and YouTube accounts. In-person early voting in North Carolina will begin the same day and continue through October 31.
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