The seven candidates for University Park Undergraduate Association president will have their first chance to tell students who is the best man or woman for the job tonight.

The first executive ticket debate will take place at 8 p.m. in 102 Thomas. Head Election Commissioner Frank Criscione and Deputy Commissioner of Voting and Publicity Tom Hudson will proctor the debate. Criscione said each presidential ticket would be given the opportunity to answer one question due to time constraints.

Criscione and Hudson will ask general questions submitted by the tickets, as well as some more specific questions Criscione and Hudson have come up with on their own.

Jay Bundy, presidential candidate, said he had a "big surprise" that would "change the face of student government" to announce at tomorrow night's debate. He refused to elaborate any further, saying students would have to attend the debate to find out.

Criscione said he hasn't spoken to Bundy since the first day of campaigning and didn't know what the announcement would be.

"In all honesty, I believe that nothing any of the candidates can do will surprise a veteran like me," he said. "All I've got to say is it's going to be tough to pull a fast one on this commission."

Presidential hopeful Jonathan Gremminger said the debate would provide students a good chance to "get acclimated to the political candidates," and fellow candidate Daniel Hadas said students in attendance would be able to see "if [the candidates] are in it for the right reasons" through their general demeanor.

"A lot comes out in questions," he said.

Gavin Keirans, who is also running for president, said it's important students get an idea of who all the candidates are so the election does not become a "popularity contest."

Presidential candidate Ricardo Torres said he would be interested to hear what the candidates with less experience in student government have to say.

"Through the debate, people will be able to look through the fanfare and noise of campaigning and see what the candidates are really made of," he said. "You need to be a seasoned leader."

Hillary Lewis, who is a presidential candidate, said that attending the debate was an important step in making an informed decision on who to vote for as UPUA president.

Current UPUA President Jay Chamberlin said the debate would elevate the "best candidates."

"You're going to see quite a disparity between those who have experience speaking in public and those who don't," he said.