With both the Democrat and Republican national conventions to formally nominate presidential candidates less than seven months away, debates have been scheduled for the Republican candidates on Jan. 14 (Thursday) and the Democratic candidates on Jan. 17 (Sunday). The Republican debate in Charleston, South Carolina -- the sixth GOP debate since early August -- is expected to have no more than six candidates participating in the primetime portion, under tightened criteria required by Fox Business Network, which is hosting the debate.

The following University of North Texas faculty members are available to provide preview and analysis of the debates:

Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha, professor and chair of UNT's Department of Political Science, is the co-author of Breaking Through the Noise: Presidential Leadership, Public Opinion and the News Media and The President's Speeches: Beyond "Going Public." He has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Governing magazine, San Francisco Chronicle and Scripps Howard News Service, among other media outlets, and appeared often on NPR to discuss presidential races.

Phone: 940-565-2329
E-mail: mes@unt.edu

Kimi King, an associate professor of political science, teaches a constitutional law course on discrimination and the powers of the government and a course on laws and institutions in American government. She also researches institutional powers and equal protection, civil rights and civil liberties, and criminal procedure.

Phone: 940-597-4802
E-mail: kking@unt.edu

Brian Lain, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies and UNT's director of debate, will analyze tactics used by the candidates during the debate.

Phone: 940-453-2359
Email:blain@unt.edu

Valerie Martinez-Ebers is a professor of political science and co-editor of the American Political Science Review. Her areas of expertise include race, ethnicity and Latino politics, including immigration policy analysis and program evaluation; the impact of migration into the heartland of the United State; the rise of Latino voters and the role of Hispanic legislators.

Cell phone: 940-390-2304
E-mail: valmartinez@unt.edu

James E. Mueller, professor of journalism in UNT's Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, will discuss the Democratic debate. He wrote about Hillary Clinton's interactions and communication with reporters during her first presidential campaign in his book, Tag Teaming the Press: How Bill and Hillary Clinton Work Together to Handle the Media. He has been following Clinton's campaign this year for a possible update to the book.

Phone: 940-368-3528
E-mail: jmueller@unt.edu