Candidate forums planned around Basin

PUD candidates meet Tuesday morning

GRANT COUNTY — Before the primary ballots are dropped off at their mailbox, voters will have the chance to hear from the candidates who may be representing them next year.

Open and contested seats at the Grant County Courthouse, Grant County Public Utility District, Washington State Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives are to be selected by voters in the Sept. 19 primary and the Nov. 7 general election. With two forums this week, and one later this month, the candidates have some opportunities to get their message out.

A forum dedicated specifically to PUD candidates is the first forum for Grant County politicians. The Grant County Industrial Managers Group is putting on a forum from 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday in the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College. The event is a question and answer style forum.

All candidates are invited to a forum on Wednesday at the Grant County Historical Museum in Ephrata. The forum begins at 5 p.m. with each candidate having five minutes to present why they are seeking their particular office. Voters will then have the chance to talk with the candidates one-on-one at their booth.

Moses Lake's candidate forum will bring in candidates for all positions from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 in the ATEC building. The forum is being put on by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, Moses Lake business Association, Soroptomist International, Columbia Basin Herald and Big Bend Community College.

Moses Lake Chamber Manager Bev Shuford said the forum will follow a similar format as previous forums. Each candidate will be given three minutes to present their message, followed by an answer session of prepared questions for the event. The audience will also have the opportunity to present written questions for the forum.

Ballots for the September primary election in Grant County will be sent to voters Sept. 1.