Candidate Forum Held at ECC Sept. 20

East Central College is proud to host the Franklin County Candidate Forum on Thursday, September 20 at 6 p.m. in the John Anglin Performing Arts Center.

The non-partisan event will give candidates a chance to deliver an opening and closing statement, but the evening will mainly focus on questions from the audience.

“We want to give voters the chance to have their voices heard,” said Leigh Kolb, organizer and East Central College Journalism Instructor. “We want them to be able to ask about the issues that are important to them.”

All Franklin County candidates have been invited to participate in the event, as well as the District 26 Missouri State Senate candidates, District 61, District 109, District 110 and District 119 Missouri State Representative candidates, District Missouri Auditor candidates, District 3 U.S. Representative candidates and U.S. Senate candidates.

“We are excited to have St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum moderating the event,” said Kolb. “He is a highly respected political reporter not only in Missouri but across the country.”

Voter registration will also take place at the event.

The event is being facilitated by the East Central College Civic and Community Engagement Committee, Franklin County Democratic Central Committee, Franklin County Republican Central Committee and the East Central College Student Government Association.

“Hearing directly from the people who are seeking to act in service of our citizens is integral to democracy,” said Clyde Voelkerding, Chair-Franklin County Democratic Central Committee. “The Franklin County Candidate Forum is an excellent opportunity for members of the community to make direct contact and determine who will best serve their interests and ensure that the health of the people is the supreme law.”

“Thomas Jefferson said, ‘If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed,’” said Trish Mitchell, Chair-Franklin County Republican Central Committee. “I am pleased that ECC is hosting this forum.  Events like this are so important to our communities because without an educated citizenry our Republic cannot remain free. We, as citizens, are responsible for those we put into office. We must choose our candidates wisely by getting to know who they are and what they stand for.”

List of candidates attending (subject to change):

• Franklin County Clerk
  Tim Baker (R)
  (no Democratic opponent)
• Franklin County Recorder of Deeds
  Jennifer Metcalf (R)
  (no Democratic opponent)
• County Municipal Judge
  Bill Stahlhuth (D)
• State Senator – District 26
  Dave Schatz (R)
  John Kiehne (D)
• U.S. Representative – District 3
  Katy Geppert (D)
• State Auditor
  Jacob Luetkemeyer (C)
• State Representative – District 61
  Aaron D. Griesheimer (R)
  Pamela A. Menefee (D)
• State Representative – District 109
  John Simmons (R)
  James Cordrey (D)
• State Representative – District 110
  Dottie Bailey (R)
  Cody Kelley (D)
• State Representative – District 119
  Marcie Nichols (D)