Voters will have the opportunity to evaluate local and state Republican candidates face-to-face this Saturday during a forum at the Livingston VFW.
Friends of Overton County Founder and Forum Moderator Scott Deatherage organized the event to bring politicians directly to the community. Deatherage said the gathering allows constituents to move beyond scripted campaign advertisements and evaluate the individuals seeking public office.
“When we can meet with that person face to face and see their reactions and see their presentation,” Deaterage said, “It gives us a whole new perspective on who that candidate is.”
Deatherage said invitations went out to all Republican candidates for county mayor, trustee, county clerk, and governor. Representative Monty Fritts accepted the invitation and will arrive at about 2pm. Representatives for John Rose cited a scheduling conflict, while the Marsha Blackburn campaign has not responded to multiple contact efforts.
“We should all be connected to politics, especially at local levels like this,” Deatherage said. “We can’t really fix what’s going on in Washington and we don’t have that much of a voice there. Having tried to contact Nashville legislators over some of the things some of the bills that were filed this year, I can tell you we don’t always get a lot of traction there. But when it comes down to our county government and our governor, I think this gives us an opportunity to have our voices heard.”
Deatherage said community members can submit questions for the candidates in advance.
“And I hear from a lot of people, ‘why should I bother with this? My vote doesn’t matter,’” Deatherage said. “Everybody’s vote matters whether they know it or not. And this is an opportunity for that person that thinks their vote doesn’t matter, that thinks that a candidate doesn’t want to hear from them, to find out. Did they listen to me? Did they give me an answer? Do I like their answer? Do I not like their answer?”
Deatherage said the forum will make a big difference in voter turnout, particularly when constituents see which candidates actually show up to meet with them.
“Just a big encouragement, come out,” Deatherage said. “This is your opportunity to meet your candidates and to say what you want them to hear.”