MONROE, Mich. – A community-focused candidate forum scheduled for Sept. 11 will give area residents a look at key state and federal races on the November ballot.
The forum is scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College.
It is sponsored by The Monroe News and MCCC, in partnership with a variety of community organizations.
Candidates who have confirmed they will attend are:
- 7th U.S. House District: Incumbent Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, and challenger Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline.
- 17th state Senate District: Incumbent Dale Zorn, R-Ida, and challenger Bill LaVoy, D-Monroe.
- 17th state House: Incumbent Joe Bellino Jr., R-Monroe, and challenger Michelle LaVoy, D-Monroe.
- 56th state House: Incumbent Jason Sheppard, R-Temperance, and challenger Ernie Whiteside, D-Monroe.
The forum will include questions prepared in advance by a committee that helped organize the event. Each candidate will have an opportunity to respond with timed answers. Audience members also will have an opportunity to submit questions.
The form, which is free to the public, will be moderated by Monroe News Executive Editor Ray Kisonas.
Partner community organizations include the Monroe County Positive Action Network (MCPAN), Christians United of Monroe, the IHM Sisters, Oaks of Righteousness, the Monroe County Opportunity Program, and the River Raisin Institute.
Dan Shaw, a journalism professor at MCCC and one of the event organizers, said the college was happy to co-sponsor the event because of the importance of helping voters get information about candidates.
“It’s particularly important, in this age of social media dominated news, that voters get a chance to hear directly from the candidates,” Shaw said.
“The questions will be designed to give all the candidate an equal chance to present their views, so voters can get unfiltered information.”
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition.
The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.