Candidate forum coming Tuesday

WASHINGTON — A Chamber of Commerce event on Tuesday, Nov. 1 offers Washington area constituents a chance to meet their candidates for state and local races. The two-part event starts at 4 p.m. at Lebowski’s in Washington.

Part one is a candidate forum, as the Chamber has hosted many times before. State Senate District 46 candidates Dawn Driscoll (R) and Kevin Kinney (D) will join State House District 92 candidates Heather Hora (R) and Eileen Beran (D) to answer questions in front of an audience.

The first 30 minutes of that forum will focus on broad questions disclosed to the candidates in advance. The remainder of the hour will use questions submitted by community members, without extra prep time for the office runners.

Chamber Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said public interest in the event was higher than normal.

“This year we’ve received more questions than any in history,” she said. “We’re definitely hearing from the community … I haven’t even had a chance to sort through all of the emails.”

Following the traditional forum, at 5 p.m., voters will have a chance to talk with candidates more personally, during a social mixer at the same venue. Redlinger said anyone with a name on the Nov. 8 ballot — in contested elections or otherwise — would be introduced, provided name tags, and then set loose for casual conversations among chips and drinks.

“We are encouraging people to go around, introduce themselves to the candidates, and if they have a particular questions or concern, then they can have that conversation,” she said. “We want the mixer to be casual, we want it to be welcoming for our community members, families, and provide a down-to-earth, genuine opportunity to connect with those people that are on the ballot.”

the Southeast Iowa Union’s Washington Live Facebook page and KCII Radio will broadcast the event live, and record it for later viewing. Redlinger encouraged community members to attend or tune in, whatever their level of political engagement.

“I feel like politics are really challenging right now because it’s divisive, some people are concerned it may not be relevant to them,” she said. “Once you get in there, and you start to observe some of the dialogue, you’re like, ‘Oh, I have a question about this.’ That’s what we’re really hoping will happen.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com