Published: October 09, 2008 10:25 pm      

Chamber to host political forum

Candidates in contested local races invited

Navarro County voters will get a chance to ask questions of candidates seeking local office Tuesday in a candidate’s forum, hosted by the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce.

The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Corsicana Government Center. It will also be broadcast live on KAND Radio (1340 AM). Kerri Anderson-Donica will serve as moderator of the forum. Questions submitted by the audience will be reviewed by screeners David Coley and Connie Mayfield.

Candidates in the five contested local races have been invited to attend the forum. In addition, District 8 State Rep. Byron Cook, who is unopposed in the November election, is expected to make remarks during the evening.

Contested county races in the Nov. 4 election include the Precincts 1 and 3 county commissioner seats, the county tax assessor/collector, the Precinct 3 constable, and the office of district judge.

In Precinct 1, incumbent county commissioner Kit Herrington is facing a write-in challenger in Larry Bailey, while in Precinct 3, incumbent William Baldwin is being challenged by David “Butch” Warren.

In the race for tax assessor/collector, incumbent Russell Hudson faces a challenge from Mike Kaster. Hudson was appointed to the post by the commissioners court in 2007 to fill out the un-expired term of Peggy Blackwell Moore, who retired.

The Precinct 3 constable’s contest is between Brad Butler and Jackie Freeland.

Also scheduled at Tuesday’s forum, the two candidates seeking to replace the retiring John Jackson as 13th District Court judge. Clay Beard and James Lagomarsino face off in that race in the Nov. 4 election.

All but two of the candidates in those local contested races have indicated they will attend. Precinct 3 constable candidate Jackie Freeland informed organizers he will not be able to attend.

Precinct 3 commissioner William Baldwin has not yet confirmed whether he plans to participate, Coley said.

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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com