Three local contested races for office
“This will be a time for candidates to personally introduce themselves to us and their issues. This will not be in the format of a debate, though each candidate will have an opportunity to speak after his or her contender,” Clyde Andrews, President, Oroville Chamber of Commerce
OROVILLE – The Oroville Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Candidate Forum on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Oroville High School Commons. Each candidate will get a minimum of 10 minutes to present (more depending on total presenters).
Every candidate of every contested race for county has been invited to attend.
“Of course, not every candidate may be physically able to come, but is being invited to officially appoint a presenter on his or her behalf. If you have a favorite candidate, be sure to contact that candidate to make sure they received the invite and will have someone there to represent them,” said Clyde Andrews, president of the Oroville Chamber of Commerce.
Due to time limitations, the chamber cannot invite candidates for uncontested positions, nor have presenters on the issues on the ballot, according to Andrews.
“This will be a time for candidates to personally introduce themselves to us and their issues. This will not be in the format of a debate, though each candidate will have an opportunity to speak after his or her contender,” said Andrews.
The forum will be the organization’s second membership meeting since starting back up after a summer break. The public is invited to attend and listen to the candidates speak.
Ballots for the Nov. 4 General Election are being mailed out on Friday, Oct. 17. This election there are three county-wide positions up for election with two candidates on the ballot — the newly formed county coroner’s office, county assessor and Okanogan County PUD Commissioner Position 1. Seeking the office of County Coroner are Gary Reams (no party preference) and David Rodriguez (prefers Republican). Incumbent Scott Furman, a Democrat, is appearing on ballot with Les V. Stokes of the Conservative Party. Running for the non-partisan PUD Commissioner position are incumbent David Womack and Scott Vejraska.
All three state legislative positions in the Seventh District are contested as well. Incumbent Brian Dansel faces off against fellow Republican Tony Booth for a four year term in the Senate. For the House of Representatives, incumbent Shelly Short, a Republican, faces a challenge for a two year term in Position 1 from James R. Apker, a Libertarian and incumbent Joel Kretz is seeking a return to a two year year for Position 2, but is challenged by Ronnie Rae, a Centralist.
