Chat Box: A Conversation with the U.S. Senate Democratic Party Challengers streams and broadcasts beginning April 25 on NJ PBS

The discussion, recorded this week, will first stream on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel with host David Cruz moderating; broadcast to follow on NJ PBS

April 24, 2024 - NEWARK, NJ - Chat Box with David Cruz, the public affairs series produced by NJ PBS, New Jersey's public media network, will premiere an in-person group conversation with New Jersey's U.S. Senate Democratic Party Challengers on YouTube this week. The special, Chat Box:A Conversation with the U.S. Senate Democratic Party Challengers, is moderated by Chat Box series host and NJ Spotlight News Sr. Political Correspondent David Cruz. Viewers can watch it online and on-air.

The program premieres this Thursday, 4/25 at 6pm on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel, with Cruz joining viewers for a live chat during the program's web stream. Next, the program will air on the NJ PBS network Saturday, 4/27 at 6pm, Sunday, 4/28 at 10am and Wednesday, 5/1 at 8pm on NJ PBS (check local listings).

The hour-long program was hosted at the Agnes Varis NJ PBS Studio and featured the three candidates seeking to succeed incumbent Bob Menendez in the U.S. Senate: union organizer Patricia Campos-Medina, activist Larry Hamm and Rep. Andy Kim (CD-3). Topics of discussion included immigration, foreign aid, reproductive rights, the SALT deduction, crime, and more.

"Our goal was to host a productive conversation with these candidates rather than stage a traditional debate," said Cruz. "We touched on issues that affect all of us around the state and across the globe."

"Civil discourse is an important part of the democratic system and is inherent to public media," said NJ PBS Vice President and General Manager Joe Lee. "NJ PBS is proud to host this type of discussion that will educate and enlighten constituents about the perspectives of those running for office during a critical election year."

Funding forChat Box:A Conversation with the U.S. Senate Democratic Party Challengers provided in part by New Jersey Education Association. Promotional support provided by InsiderNJ.