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Getty Wright State University pulls out of hosting general election debate

Wright State University in Ohio has pulled out of hosting a Sept. 26 general election presidential debate. The debate will now be held at Hofstra University in New York.

The university is citing worries around costs and increased security.

"Today I requested that the Commission on Presidential Debates release Wright State University from our obligation to host the first Presidential debate on Sept. 26," President David Hopkins said in a news conference on Tuesday. "This has been a very difficult decision to make but I am confident that it is the right one for Wright State University at this point in time. Wright State has in a responsibility for the safety and well being of those on its campus and in the surrounding area. We all take this responsibility very seriously. Over the last few weeks we have had a growing concern over what it would take to guarantee the safety and security of our campus."

The university expected the debate to cost as much as $8 million. They will likely lose some of the $2.5 million they've already invested.

"We can not afford as a university that's trying to manage our budget as fiscally sound to take on these costs," Hopkins said.

In a statement, the Commission on Presidential Debates said Hofstra, which had agreed to serve as an alternate, would take Wright State University's place.

"In light of Wright State University's announcement of earlier today, the September 26, 2016 Presidential Debate will be held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. The Commission very much appreciates Wright State's efforts. Hofstra University served very successfully as a presidential debate site in 2012. On September 23, 2015, the Commission announced that Hofstra University had agreed to serve as an alternate site this debate cycle if needed. The Commission looks forward to working with Hofstra once again," the Commission said in a statement.

Wright State is one four universities hosting presidential and a vice presidential debates along with Longwood, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Hadas Gold is a reporter at Politico.