SEMINOLE – A candidates forum focusing on six area races will be held Thursday, Sept. 6, 6-8 p.m., at the Seminole Library Conference Center.
Dr. Jim Sewell of St. Petersburg will moderate the event, sponsored by the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, the Women’s Leadership Council and the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area.
The format will be conversational with questions from the audience and members of the League.
“It won’t be confrontational,” said Roger Edelman, president of the Seminole Chamber. “It won’t be a debate. We’re not interested in getting into the heat of the battle.”
Admission is free to the public.
“As a voter group, we need to turn out and support this,” said Edelman.
Among those committed to participate are the two finalists in the Pinellas Sheriff’s race – Republican Bob Gualtieri and Democrat Scott Swope.
The lineup also will include Republican Larry Ahern and Democrat Mary Louise Ambrose in the State House of Representatives District 66 race and possibly Congressman Bill Young who is running against Democratic challenger Jessica Ehrlich of St. Petersburg.
Young has not committed and according to federal election laws, Ehrlich cannot participate unless Young is there.
Democrat Janet Long, a candidate for Pinellas County Commission at-large District 1, has committed to the event and her opponent, Republican Neil Brickfield, is tentatively scheduled to participate.
Charlie Justice, a candidate for County Commission at-large District 3, will participate but his opponent, Nancy Bostock, had not committed earlier in the week.
Also expected is at-large School Board candidate Elliott Stern but his opponent, Janet Clark, will not be present due to a family wedding.
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