The WCLT Radio Group, The Reporting Project and the Licking County Farm Bureau will host a candidate forum to be broadcast live on Kate 98.7 from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Candidates in contested races in Licking County will have the opportunity to respond to questions crafted with input from The Reporting Project and the WCLT Radio Group and given to candidates in advance of the forum.
All candidates in contested local and state-level races have been invited. This includes Common Pleas Court candidates David Branstool (incumbent) and Matt Kunsman, Ohio State Senate candidates Nick Hubbell and Tim Schaffer (incumbent), Ohio House of Representatives candidates Michael Smith, Thaddeus Claggett (incumbent), Jamie Hough and Kevin Miller (incumbent), and Licking County Commissioner candidates James Snedden Jr., Tim Bubb (incumbent), Bryn Bird and Duane Flowers (incumbent).
This candidate forum will be broadcast with or without participation from candidates, and there will not be a studio audience.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 2, all invited candidates had accepted invitations from the host organizations, except for Snedden, Miller and Hubbell. Snedden said he would cede his time to his opponent, Tim Bubb; Miller had a conflict and Hubbell did not respond to multiple emails, phone calls and mailed letters.
“It is imperative that we know where our local political candidates stand on the big problems and opportunities facing Licking County,” said Tom Bunyard, owner, president and general manager of WCLT. “And as Licking County residents, we have limited control over what happens at the federal level in our country, but we can make a difference by getting informed and involved in what is happening in our local government.”
Julia Lerner, managing editor of The Reporting Project, said, “I’m glad these candidates are willing to participate in this community forum and show that they are willing to commit to the democratic process as we approach the November election.”
“Voters need to know about the candidates, their positions and the issues before casting their ballots,” Lerner said. “Events like these are foundational to supporting our community and our country.”
Kayla Jones, organization director for the Licking County Farm Bureau, said that, “As an advocacy organization, it is important for us to be involved with our elected officials and help them understand the issues facing agriculture everyday. We value their participation and their willingness to have these very important conversations.”
In addition to co-hosting the candidate forum, The Reporting Project is providing comprehensive election coverage on its website, social media channels and via its weekly newsletter. That includes state and national coverage from the Associated Press, which The Reporting Project is able to provide free to readers because of grant funding.
Watch for profiles of local candidates in contested races as well as coverage of issues facing Licking Countians, including ongoing development, environmental challenges and the local economy.
Readers are encouraged to fill out an election survey to share your election priorities – and help guide reporting by The Reporting Project staff – leading up to the November election.
The last day to register to vote in Ohio is Oct. 7, and early voting begins Oct. 8.
TheReportingProject.org is the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program and is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.