May 29 – Voters will have the opportunity to learn more about candidates in the upcoming local elections during a candidate forum jointly produced by the McAlester News-Capital and the McAlester Chamber of Commerce.
Doors open at 5:30 PM and the event begins June 4 at 6:00 PM in the Clark Bass Building Conference Center Room 215 of the Eastern Oklahoma State College McAlester Campus.
Candidates for the June 18 election for the positions of Pittsburg County Sheriff, Pittsburg County Clerk and Pittsburg County Commissioner District 2 are invited.
Candidates who have announced their intention to run for mayor of McAlester are also invited.
Three current city council members — Ward 6 Councilman Kevin Beaty, Ward 4 Councilman Randy Roden and Ward 2 Councilman Justin Few — have all signaled their intent to seek the mayor’s office and are putting out campaign signs, despite the filing period beginning in June and the primaries. election in August. McAlester resident Jimmy Plummer has also announced his intention to run for mayor.
“We want to give people the opportunity to hear from all the candidates running so they can decide which one should represent them,” said publisher Reina Owens.
The forum will be open to the public.
All candidates will be given two minutes for an opening statement, two minutes for a closing statement and one minute per person to answer questions.
Each candidate is asked questions about issues and given one minute to respond in fairness to each other and with respect for everyone’s time.
The format is designed to allow voters to hear all candidates answer questions about the responsibilities of the office they are running for.
Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris is running for re-election against Randy Hass.
Pam Smith, the current Pittsburg District Court clerk, is being challenged by Tracy Brock.
Mike Hayes and Don Chapman are running for the Pittsburg County District 2 commissioner seat, currently held by Sandra Crenshaw following the retirement of Kevin Smith in February. Crenshaw is not seeking election to the seat.
Early voting is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 13 and 14, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 15.
Polls open at 7 a.m. for the primaries and close at 7 p.m. on June 18.
