Overton County residents will have the chance to meet the Republican candidates for county executive and governor at a forum Saturday.
Forum Organizer Scott Deatherage said candidates confirmed include Gregg Nivens and Austin Dodson, who are running for county executive, and State Representative Monty Fritts, who is running for Governor. Deatherage said candidates will make opening statements, and then the forum will take written questions from the audience.
“Candidates may be asked, well, what do you think is the first thing you would do if and when you are elected?” Deatherage said. “And of course, I have no knowledge at this point of what someone from the audience may write down on one of those cards and give me.”
Deatherage said some of the prepared questions focus on issues that have come up at county commission meetings but have not yet been answered. He said the forum is being held to help voters better understand each candidate before casting their ballots.
“I don’t feel like any of us know enough about our candidates anymore when we go to the polls,” Deatherage said. “And this is something that I had participated in years ago in another state, which gives people an opportunity to actually meet the candidate face to face, to pose questions, and to get some answers.”
Deatherage said people can get to know a candidate better by interacting in person rather than online or through ad campaigns. Deatherage said written questions from the audience will be reviewed before being asked.
“I can assure you this is not meant to ambush anybody,” Deatherage said. “And if I get a question out of the audience that is absolutely meant to embarrass one candidate over the others, I think we will be bypassing that question.”
Deatherage encourages those who can to come out and take advantage of the opportunity. The forum will be held at VFW Hall, located at 103 West Henson Street in Livingston. The forum will run from 10am-2pm.