The ISU College Republicans will add a taste of politics to campus this weekend when they host the first gubernatorial debate before the June 4 primary.

Republican candidates Bob Vander Plaats, Doug Gross and Steve Sukup will debate issues pertinent to ISU voters at 3 p.m. Sunday in 127 Curtiss.

Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco will moderate.

“Tuition should obviously be a big issue,” said Melissa McArthur, president of the ISU Republicans.

McArthur, sophomore in political science, said members of the ISU Republicans compiled questions for Tedesco to ask the candidates. Questions were not made available to the candidates, a decision McArthur made to have the candidates “answer on their feet.”

This is the first time the College Republicans have hosted a debate.

“The purpose of the event is to inform the public about the primary election coming up in June and about the candidates,” said Michael Horn, member of the campus organization and junior in political science.

McArthur said she wants to use the event to increase awareness of the College Republicans on campus.

“I wanted to host a big event to draw attention and get our name out there,” McArthur said.

The debate is free and open to the public.