League of Women Voters Hosts Regional Candidate Forums

The League of Women Voters organized separate candidate forums in Kansas and Nebraska to provide public access to candidates appearing on November ballots.

In Salina, the local league scheduled a forum for Sunday, September 27, at the Salina Area Technical College auditorium. President Cori Sherman North invited 32 state and local candidates to participate, allowing those unable to attend to submit written statements. The event is free to the public and will be moderated by league members, reporter Charlie Rankin, and former Kansas Senate member Randall Hardy.

In Lincoln, the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County and 10/11 News co-hosted a forum on Wednesday at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln. The event featured candidates for County Attorney and District 3 County Commissioner. While both candidates for Sheriff were initially confirmed, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin withdrew on the day of the event. To maintain fairness, the league subsequently excluded his opponent, Jay Pitts, from the forum.

This Lincoln event followed a State Legislature Candidate Forum held Tuesday for candidates from Districts 2, 26, 28, 30, and 32. Candidates Dean Helmick, Tobias Howard, and Mark Schoenrock declined to participate in that session.