First up is a head-to-head event at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club meeting. The Pachyderm Club, a conservative club with ties to the Republican Party, meets at Dexter Bar-B-Que, 236 S. Broadview, on the third Thursday of each month.

The public of any political affiliation is welcome to attend, said Holly Lintner, president of the club. If you want to eat, members usually start filtering in between 6 and 6:30 p.m. in order to be served and finish their meals before the program.

The next event will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the auditorium of the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Finch told me this morning. That event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, will also include forums for candidates for other contested races in the area.

The Southeast Missourian, of course, will provide detailed coverage of both events. But for the full story, exercise your responsibilities as a citizen and attend yourself.