SIOUX CITY- Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn today announced the second installment of the Iowa GOP/Fox News Debate Series for the 2012 Iowa Caucus. The first ever nationally televised Presidential debate from Northwest Iowa is scheduled to be held the week before the Iowa Caucus at Sioux City’s historic Orpheum Theater. The date for the 2012 Iowa caucuses is Monday, February 6, 2012.
The first Iowa GOP/Fox News debate will take place on August 11, 2011, two days before the Iowa GOP’s Ames Straw Poll.
“Iowa is once again taking center stage as Republican voters embrace their responsibility of starting the nomination process, and I am proud to bring an historic piece of that process to Siouxland,” Strawn said. “No longer will Republicans in Northwest Iowa have to settle for watching high-profile caucus debates hosted hundreds of miles away, they will be active participants in the process.”
Strawn noted that the Orpheum will provide the perfect backdrop for a Republican presidential debate, saying the historic theatre will not only showcase the GOP’s presidential candidates, but “showcase Sioux City and Northwest Iowa to the world.”
Strawn was joined at today’s announcement by Siouxland Initiative/Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President, Chris McGowan, who praised Strawn and the Republican Party of Iowa for their role in bringing the Iowa GOP/Fox News debate series to Sioux City. “I want to thank Matt Strawn, the Iowa GOP, and Fox News for bringing this event to our community. We are excited about the national and international focus it will bring to Sioux City and northwest Iowa, as well as the substantial economic impact such an event will have on our regional economy.”
Strawn noted that additional specifics regarding the debate will be released at a later date.
Additional information on the Orpheum Theatre can be found at http://www.orpheumlive.com/history/index.php