Fairfield Chamber to host candidate forum Oct. 11

FAIRFIELD — ‘Tis the season for candidate forums.

Jefferson County residents can learn all about local candidates running for office in a pair of forums on consecutive days Oct. 10-11.

The forum on Monday, Oct. 10 is being put on by Farm Bureau and will feature the two candidates running for the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, Democrat Daryn Hamilton and Republican Lee Dimmitt. That will be at 7 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.

The following day, the arts center will host another candidate forum, this one put on by the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce and featuring the candidates for the Iowa Senate and Iowa House of Representatives.

The forum on Tuesday, Oct. 11 will run from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and cover three races:

5:30-6:30 p.m. — Republican Jeff Shipley and Democrat Mike Heaton, vying for House District 87.

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Republican Helena Hayes and Democrat Lisa Ossian, vying for House District 88.

7:30-8:30 p.m. — Republican Adrian Dickey and Democrat Rich Taylor, vying for Senate District 44.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. The forum is free and open to the public. Questions may be submitted to the chamber by emailing info@fairfieldiowa.com or by calling 641-472-2111. Questions will be approved by the chamber board.

“This forum will not be a debate, but an opportunity for each candidate to show their position on key issues,” stated a news release from the chamber.

For more information, contact the chamber at 641-472-2111.

District borders

Since the Iowa Legislature adopted new House and Senate districts in 2021, it’s worth noting that voters in Jefferson County might be in a new district this year.

House District 87 covers all of Van Buren County plus the southern half of Jefferson County including Fairfield, and the southwest corner of Henry County including Mt. Pleasant.

House District 88 covers the northern half of Jefferson County, all of Keokuk County, and the eastern half of Mahaska County including Oskaloosa.

Senate District 44 includes all of the area covered by House District 87 and House District 88.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com