Candidate forum set Friday

GARDINER — The United Peninsula Candidate Forum for hopefuls for District 6 congressman, and state representatives for District 24, Positions 1 and 2, is set for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

The forum will be at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for seating.

Audience members are urged to arrive before 5 p.m. to secure a seat.

A section in front will be reserved for mobility-challenged public and members of the press.

The event, billed as non-partisan, is co-sponsored by Health Freedom Information (HFI) and Olympic Peninsula Independent Activists (OPIA).

These two groups are based in Jefferson and Clallam counties.

All of the candidates for the positions have been invited to attend.

Congressional District 6 includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.

Incumbent Derek Kilmer, a Democrat living in Gig Harbor, will be represented by Kevin Schilling, his political advisor and campaign manager, forum organizers said.

His challenger, Elizabeth Kreiselmaier, a Gig Harbor Republican, has confirmed that she will participate.

Candidates who have confirmed for a state representative seat in District 24 are Sue Forde for Position 1 and Brian Pruiett for Position 2.

Both Republicans are challenging Democrats Mike Chapman and Steve Tharinger.

Candidates were sent, on Sept. 16, a compiled list of questions provided by the public.

After their opening statements, the candidates will be asked questions from this list, and they will be allotted equal time to respond.

The candidate forum will be videotaped and submitted to PAPA (Peninsula Area Public Access TV – Channel 21), for broadcasting several times before the Nov. 8 general election.

Ballots for the election will be sent out Oct. 19.