Marquette hosts first-time and longtime voters for debate watch and discussion

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Several presidential debate watch parties were held throughout the area Tuesday night, Sept. 10.

Many were hosted by local Republican and Democratic parties. And a nonpartisan event was held at Marquette University.

It was a full house at the Lubar Center as nearly 200 people watched the debate, a diverse mix of students and seniors and everyone in between.

There were a lot of reactions to what was said: surprise, frustration, even laughter, especially to some of the claims made by former President Trump.

Topics of interest that got the biggest reactions were over immigration and reproductive rights.

Nearly everyone in the audience went to the event early to hear a pre-debate panel discussion.

Derek Mosely, the director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education, moderated the discussion with Republican and Democratic state lawmakers, as well as a professor.

The panelists were asked about the topics they hoped to hear about. Professor Philip Rocco said how the debate unfolded interests him as much as what was said.

We also spoke with some students during a break in the debate; many of them will be first-time voters this November.

Asa Presler, a freshman, told us, "It's been super interesting. I'm glad to be here. I'm getting extra credit for my class, too, so it's a win-win. It's been super interesting, it's a good time."

Chloe Lasek, a first-year law student, said, "I think that Kamala came to sort of disparage any comments about her not being able to handle this race. She's coming in here to try to unite people, rather than divide like I feel Trump is doing."

Polling shows the race in Wisconsin is incredibly tight right now. A CBS News poll released Monday shows Vice President Harris with a slight 51-49 edge over former President Trump in the Badger State.

Marquette University will release its next poll Wednesday.