Candidate forums

Tonight local voters will have an opportunity to hear from candidates in three races for the Missouri Legislature.

Hosted by the Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club, candidates for the 146th and 147th House seats will speak as will both candidates for the 27th Senate seat. The contest in the 146th House District has Van Hitt, Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, and Gerald Adams. Kathy Swan, though unopposed in the primary and general elections for the 147th House seat, will also address the group. These districts cover all of Cape Girardeau County, a product of the new district maps that start with this election cycle.

Reps. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, and Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, will speak as the two candidates for the 27th Senate seat. The district is made up of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry, Scott and Wayne counties. This race will, among several others, continue to be an interesting one to watch.

The forum starts at 7 p.m. at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau, 236 S. Broadview St. A meal will precede the forum at 6 p.m.

A second forum will be held by the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party at 6:30 p.m. July 17 at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. Local tea party organizer Brian Bollman said Republican, Constitution and Libertarian party candidates from Cape Girardeau County commissioner to U.S. Congress have been invited. However, this list does not include the candidates for public administrator. So far 24 candidates have confirmed their participation.

Thanks to the these groups for hosting the public forums. Having an opportunity to hear from candidates at one location benefits voters, and we hope many in the area choose to attend.

If you've not yet registered to vote, that last day to do so for the Aug. 7 primary election is July 11.