The Oak Ridge Education Association will host a public forum for five Tennessee House of Representatives candidates on Wednesday.
Three of the candidates—Democrat Jack McNew, Independent Allen Cole, and Republican Kent Calfee— are seeking seats in Tennessee’s District 32. That district includes Roane County and part of Loudon County. The seat has been held for one term by Lenoir City Republican Julia Hurley, who lost to Calfee in the Aug. 2 primary.
The other two candidates—Clinton Democrat Jim Hackworth and Oak Ridge Republican John R. Ragan—are battling to represent District 33, which includes most of Anderson County.
Ragan is the incumbent. He beat Hackworth, who is seeking to regain his old seat, in the November 2010 election. Both parties agree that the contest between the two men is one of a half-dozen key races across the state this fall.
Wednesday’s forum is scheduled to run from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater.
A press release said the forum will be moderated and staffed by volunteers from the League of Women Voters and will be conducted according to LWV debate rules. Each candidate will make an opening statement and then answer questions submitted by audience members and screened by forum volunteers. After the question-and-answer period, each candidate will issue a closing statement.
Organizers have invited the public as well as teachers and retired teachers from Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Roane County.
Abbey says
Will there be a forum for the School Board candidates, too? It seems like this would be the perfect opportunity to include them as well when “educators” are hosting.
John Huotari says
The League of Women Voters will have a forum for candidates for Oak Ridge Board of Education and City Council at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Oak Ridge High School amphitheater.
Tj says
I am always irritated by the way the LWV screens the questions. The won’t let any hard question be asked. The control the debate according to their liberal views. They need a few members under 70.