Staff Reports
At least 11 candidates on the Nov. 6 ballot in Bartholomew County will participate in a candidates forum tonight in Columbus.
The Columbus Area Dialogue group is sponsoring the forum from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Living Room, 1412 Sycamore St.
Some Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians who are running for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Indiana Senate and House and Bartholomew County Council are among candidates who have committed to appear, organizer Merry Carmichael said.
All of the participating candidates are running for offices that represent some or all of Bartholomew County.
The event opens with pizza and soft drinks, coffee and water for participating candidates and members of the audience, Carmichael said. Donations toward the food and drinks will be accepted, she said.
Each candidate will have 3 or 4 minutes to provide an introduction and make a statement about his or her candidacy, Carmichael said. County Council candidates will go first since the council meets at 6 p.m. today, she said. After the introductions are completed, members in the audience will be able to ask questions of candidates during the final 45 minutes.
Here are the candidates who have committed to tonight’s forum, with others still potentially appearing, Carmichael said.
U.S. Representative District 6: Libertarian Tom Ferkinhoff.
State Senate District 41, Indiana: Republican Greg Walker and Democrat Ross Thomas.
State Representative District 59: Republican Ryan Lauer, Democrat Dale Nowlin and Libertarian Clyde Myers.
State Representative District 69: Republican Jim Lucas and Democrat Steve Schoettmer.
Bartholomew County Council District 1: Democrat Hannah Omar.
Bartholomew County Council District 4: Democrat Lynne Fleming.
County Commissioner: Republican Carl Lienhoop.
All of the candidates are in contested races except for Lienhoop, who is running unopposed.
A second forum using the same format, sponsored the Columbus Area Dialogue, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 9, also at The Living Room.
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U.S. Senate, Indiana: Republican Mike Braun, Democrat Joe Donnelly, Libertarian Lucy M. Brenton
U.S. Representative District 6, Indiana: Republican Greg Pence, Democrat Jeannine Lake, Libertarian Tom Ferkinhoff
State Senate District 41: Republican Greg Walker, Democrat Ross Thomas
State Representative District 59: Republican Ryan Lauer, Democrat Dale Nowlin, Libertarian Clyde Myers
State Representative District 69: Republican Jim Lucas, Democrat Steve Schoettmer
Bartholomew County Council District 1: Republican Scott Bonnell, Democrat Hanna Omar
Bartholomew County Council District 4: Republican Jorge Morales, Democrat Lynne Fleming.
Wayne Township Trustee: Republican Brenda Mijares, Libertarian Brent Land
Harrison Township Advisory Board (3 positions): Republicans Robert Fear, Dana Parks, Sharon Voelz; Democrats Bob Hyatt, Stephen Audretch
Jackson Township Advisory Board (3 positions): Republicans Sue Lee, Luke Otte; Democrats Joe Hoene, Paul Newkirk
Rock Creek Township Advisory Board (3 positions): Republicans Garry Barker, Jim Reed, Ronald Speer; and Democrats F. Norma Carson, Terry Sweasy and Stephen Whiteside
Clifford Town Council At-Large (3 positions): Republicans Bonnie "BJ" Everroad, Charlie Bob Moore; Democrats Danny James, Ed Stone, Carroll Thompson
Elizabethtown Town Council At-Large (3 positions): Republicans Shannon Henson, Robert Tertocha; Democrats Rick Mullins, Shirley Nugent
Hope Town Council At-Large (3 positions): Republicans Clyde Compton, Lou K; Democrats Jerry Bragg, Chelsea Warriner
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