The Rider University Institute for New Jersey Politics will sponsor a debate between 12th Congressional District candidates, Democratic incumbent Rush Holt and Republican challenger Bill Spadea, noon - 1 p.m., in the Bart Luedeke Center Theater on Thursday, October 28. The campus community is invited.

Holt, 55, is a three-term congressman from Hopewell Township who first won his congressional seat in 1998. He previously served as assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory from 1989 until he ran for office. He was also a teacher and an arms control expert at the U.S. State Department.

Spadea, 35, is a resident of Princeton Township and is running for office for the first time, but is no political neophyte. He was President George H. W. Bush's national youth director in 1992 was elected national chairman of the College Republicans from 1993-1995.

The 12th Congressional District meanders east to west across the central portion of New Jersey and encompasses 44 towns in Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth counties. The district has more than 350,000 registered voters with more than 206,000 listed as unaffiliated. Both Lawrenceville and Princeton are located in this district.

"We are pleased to host this debate, and to have it during the day when our students can attend," said Dr. David Rebovich, managing director of the Institute and panel moderator. "One of the missions of the Institute is to engage young people in the political process and have them develop an understanding and appreciation for policy issues and the challenges facing government officials. Just days before the election, the Holt-Spadea debate will bring a serious discussion of issues of regional, national and international importance to our campus and help Rider students and 12th District resident clarify their own views."

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