The primary election is next Tuesday and this Saturday the Pearl River County Republican Party is hosting a political forum to inform voters about the Republican candidates on this year’s ballot.
Emil Kleinfeld, chairman of the PRC Republican Executive Committee said one of the only legal responsibilities of the group is to certify the Republicans in the primary elections.
However, the committee is committed to informing people about the candidates and their stances on important countywide issues and seeking viable candidates, he said.
There will be a forum held for each of the following offices: sheriff, chancery clerk, circuit clerk, Senate District 47 and supervisor.
“The questions posed will be those that are authored by our committee,” Kleinfeld said. “During the forum, there will be no public comments. However, people will most likely have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with candidates.”
The forum begins at 10 a.m. with the sheriff forum, followed by the chancery clerk and circuit clerk at 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.
At noon, food plates will be available for $10, Kleinfeld said. The event is being catered by Kelly’s Poor Boy in Picayune.
After lunch, candidates for Senate District 47 will speak.
After the Senate forum, the room will be divided into five forums, one for each district in the county, Kleinfeld. The supervisor candidates will speak during the separate forums.
As of Thursday, the following candidates have confirmed attendance including sheriff’s candidates David Allison, Charlie Fazende and John “Tank” Herring.
Chancery Clerk hopeful Melinda Bowman and Circuit Clerk hopefuls Rance Bedwell, Sian Fazende and Aprel Purvis will attend.
Candidates from the Senate District 47 race who are speaking include Rogena Mitchell, Anne Smith and Mike Tyson.
Supervisor District II candidates who will speak include David Bullen, Malcolm Perry and Frank Vaccarella as well as Supervisor III candidates Hudson Holliday and Sylvester Lewis.
District IV Supervisor candidates Patrick Lee, Farron Moeller and Chris Smith will attend along with District V Supervisor candidates Donnie Saucier and Sandy Kane Smith.
Tony Smith, who is running for southern district public service commissioner and Senate District 40 incumbent Angela Burks Hill plan to attend. Senate District 44 candidate John Polk and House District 93 candidate Timmy Ladner will also be in attendance.
Rounding out the list of candidates speaking at the forum is House District 106 incumbent Herb Frierson, House District 108 hopeful Mark Formby, Lt. Governor hopeful Alisha Nelson-McElhenney and State Auditor hopeful Mary Hawkins Butler.
“It’s important for voters to become informed, especially with the larger issues occurring locally which include TIF, one cent sales tax increase and progressive smart planning for the county,” Kleinfeld said.
The forum will be held at Sun Roamers RV Resort, located at 41 Mississippi Pines Blvd. in Picayune.
For more information about the Pearl River County Republican Party, visit www.prcgop.org and through Facebook at Pearl River County Republican Party.
For more information about membership, contact Tavish Kelly at 228-342-4142 or leave a message at 601-215-5882.