What do you want to know?

After weeks of watching political signs pop up along the road, it’s time to meet the candidates.

Local Republican and Democratic candidates will be participating in a series of forums starting Saturday.

“Leading up to the primary, it’s very important to establish a public face,” said Iredell County Democrat Party Chairman Robert Stidd. “We just want to get up close and personal with our candidates.”

This year is the first the Iredell County Democratic Party has held a primary for county commissioner candidates since 1992. Democrats Chuck Gallyon, Mark Vanek, Gene Shuffler, Fred Coggins and Barbara Orr are vying for a spot on the board.

Republican candidates Ken Robertson, Godfrey Williams, Brad Howard, Gene Houpe and Scott Keadle are trying to reach voters in their own party.

“The biggest issue is going to be development and a lot of people are concerned about the train coming to Mooresville,” said Harold “Bear” Simpson of the Iredell Republican Men’s Club.

So far, both parties have slated two candidate forums for the 10 commission candidates.

Upcoming forums include:

* Independent and Republican voters can start making up their minds for the May 6 primary at the Iredell Republican Men’s Club Board of Commissioners forum at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Mulligans Restaurant at Fox Den Golf Club. Each candidate will have three minutes to introduce themselves and their campaign platform and will then take questions from attendees.

* The next Republican forum will be at 7 p.m. April 21 in the Board of Commissioners’ room in the county office building at 200 S. Center St.

* The Iredell Democratic Party is also hosting a candidates forum from 7-8 p.m. April 21 at the War Memorial Building on North Maple Street in Mooresville. Tenth District candidates for the U.S. House of representatives Steve Ivester and Daniel Johnson will be there to discuss problems on the national level.

* At 6:30 p.m. April 22, there will be a forum for both Republican and Democrat candidates for the Iredell County Commission at Mac Gray Auditorium. The forum is sponsored by the R&L, The Mooresville Tribune, WSIC 1400 AM, the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce and the Education Association.

At 6:30 p.m. April 23, the same groups will host candidates for the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education and the new district attorney’s position for Iredell and Alexander counties at Mac Gray Auditorium. Republican candidates for the 95th District N.C. House seat will have a chance to explain why they are best suited to represent a large swath of Iredell in Raleigh.

* At 6:30 p.m. April 24, The Senior Democrats Caucus will hold a candidate reception at the Statesville Depot.

* The Iredell County Democratic Party Annual Convention will be held from noon to 3 p.m. April 19 at the Democratic headquarters on East Front Street. Some candidates may be in attendance.

Submit your questions now for the moderated forums to be held April 22-23. Post them below, or e-mail them to .

Posted on 04/09/08 at 02:17 PM
topstory • (0) Comments

You must be logged in to post comments. Please Log in or register.