Hofstra University to host first 2016 presidential debate

The Commission for Presidential Debates announced that the first presidential debate of 2016 will be held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York instead of the previous choice, Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

According to ABC7, the Long Island university was chosen after Wright State University decided to cancel its part in the Sept. 26 debate.

“This is a very difficult decision,” Wright State President David R. Hopkins said on Tuesday. “But there has been a growing crescendo of concern about what it would take to guarantee the safety and security of the campus and the community. The expense would be daunting.”

“We were fully aware of the challenges and were prepared to meet them when we decided to host the debate, but things have changed,” Hopkins said. “The current national environment has made security even more critical.”