Similar to traditional employment procedures, appointing someone to political office requires an extensive and thoughtful vetting process. After all, it’s a job that influences thousands of lives.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan nonprofit, is kicking off its candidate forums in preparation for the Aug. 2 primary election. These discussions are different from a typical political debate, because candidates are not allowed to provide a rebuttal to others’ statements.
“This is a way that people can say, ‘Hey, we want to interview you for this job and see if you have the talents, abilities, the dedication, the determination, (and) the passion to serve,’ ” said Dee Anne Finken, Clark County League of Women Voters communication chair.
None of the candidates running for local and federal office declined the nonprofit’s invitation to participate, Finken said. Each forum will be broadcast live on Clark/Vancouver Television’s government access channel and will also be recorded for later viewing.
Candidate breakdown
Legislative District 18 Position 2
6:30 p.m. June 22
Duncan Camacho – Democrat
Brad Benton – Republican
John Ley – Republican
Greg Cheney – Republican
Clark County Council District 5
6:30 p.m. June 22
Don Benton
Richard Rylander
Sue Marshall
Rick Torres
Clark County Council District 1
6:30 p.m. June 23
Hector Hinojosa
Doug Coop
Glen Yung
Clark County Council District 2
6:30 p.m. June 23
Chartisha Roberts
Michelle Belkot
Kim Hamlik
Clark County Sheriff
6:30 p.m. June 23
Rey Reynolds
John Horch
David Shook
Legislative District 17 Positions 1 and 2
6:30 p.m. July 6
Kevin Waters – Republican
Hannah Joy – Republican
Terri Niles – Democrat
Anthony Ho – Republican
Paul Harris (incumbent) – Republican
Justin Forsman – Independent Republican
Joe Kear – Democrat
Earl Bowerman – Republican
Clark Public Utilities District 2
6:30 p.m. July 6
Don Steinke
Nancy Barnes
Carol Dillin
Themes that will be discussed during the forums cannot be disclosed to the public to ensure fairness for each candidate, seeing as the events occur on different days. All participants will receive the topics two days before their scheduled forum, giving them the same opportunity to gather an authentic response.
Candidates will be in the same room during the respective forums yet will not have an in-person audience.
For 3rd Congressional District contenders, moderators will direct individual interviews — slated to be 15 minutes long — due to the long list of challengers presenting scheduling challenges. These interviews will be available on CVTV closer to the election.
Clark County Elections will begin sending out ballots on July 15. Voters must have their ballots postmarked by Aug. 2 if returning through the mail or deposited by 8 p.m. at a drop box the same day. Learn how to register to vote on the county’s elections website.
