Two events for voters to visit directly with local candidates will be held in advance of the midterm elections on November 3.

The first is a town hall-style discussion organized by local Democrats at Turner Hall in Boonville tomorrow (Thursday). Fayette candidate Hope Tinker, running for Missouri District 48 Representative; Bethany Mann, a District 3 candidate for US Congress; and Jordan Herrera, a District 4 candidate for US Congress, will be featured.

The event will be moderated by Boonville city council members Tanner Bechtel and Evan Melkersman, and New Franklin alderman Charli Fae.

The Howard County Republican Association will host a candidate forum a week later, on Thursday, October 22, at the Country Club Bar and Grill in Fayette.

Area voters will have an opportunity to meet local candidates and hear directly from them during an Evening with the Candidates Forum. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the forum scheduled to conclude at 8 p.m.

Candidates who have committed to participate include Republican incumbent Tim Taylor, running for a final term as District 48 Representative in the Missouri House, and Sarah Thompson and Stacie McCutcheon, both running for Howard County Treasurer.

McCutcheon won the Republican primary in August. Thompson is running as an Independent.

The forum is designed to give each candidate an opportunity to introduce themselves, discuss their background, and explain why they are running for office. Each candidate will have five minutes for opening remarks.

Following the introductions, candidates will respond to questions related to the races in which they are running. The forum will also include questions from members of the audience. Questions will be submitted in writing and read by the moderator.

“We want this to be a respectful and informative evening that gives voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates,” organizers said. “Our goal is to provide a fair format and an opportunity for the community to learn more about the people seeking office.”

The public is invited and encouraged to attend, and there is no charge.