The DeKalb mayoral candidates and the Student Association (SA) Executive Branch candidates will be discussing their platforms and plans in two separate debates today, according to a press release from the SA public affairs office.

The mayoral candidate debate will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center’s Capital Room. It will be followed by the SA Executive debate. Mayoral candidates Mike Verbic, John Rey, Jennifer Groce, and David Jacobson have been invited to attend the debate, which will be moderated by SA Senator Michael Theodore.

“This is a great opportunity for students to get engaged and acquainted with the future mayor of DeKalb,” said SA Senate Speaker James Zanayed, according to the release. “Please join us to hear how the new mayor plans to interact and coexist with NIU.”

The mayoral election is April 9.

The SA Executive Branch candidates debate will also be moderated by Theodore and will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center Diversions Lounge.

“It is essential that as many students as possible be at this debate and play an active role in our student leadership,” Theodore said, according to the release. “This is a competitive election for very important positions that provide essential representation and leadership for the student body.”

According the press release, the invited candidates are Daihee Cho and Jack Barry for the presidential office, Kaliah Smith for the vice presidential office, Ivan Garcia for treasurer, and Elliot Echols and Ryan Dunleary for the student trustee office.

Voting for the SA executive election will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 26. Voting will take place in the Holmes Student Center, Barsema Hall, Founders Memorial Library, DuSable Hall and the Recreation Center, according to the release. All students are eligible to vote with a valid NIU One Card.

Editor’s Note: Jack Barry is the advertising manager at the Northern Star.