MORGANTON, N.C. — All eight Republicans seeking a spot on November’s ballot for the U.S. House of Representatives in the state’s 11th Congressional District will speak about their platforms Tuesday at CoMMA.
The Burke County Republican Party is sponsoring the free event. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the forum runs from 7 to 9 p.m.
Candidates Spence Campbell, Susan Harris, Jeff Hunt, Mark Meadows, Vance Patterson, Chris Petrella, Kenny West and Ethan Wingfield will be in attendance.
“This is going to be the first District 11 Congressional vote in this county,” said Ken Carrico, Burke County Republican Party forum committee chairman. “We’ve been a part of District 10 in the past and Patrick McHenry has been our Congressman.”
Incumbent Rep. Heath Shuler (D) is not seeking re-election, and three Democrats are vying for a position on the November ballot.
North Carolina’s primary on May 8 will narrow down the list of Republican and Democratic candidates to one per party for the seat.
Carrico said it’s been hard to get to know the Republican candidates well because there are so many.
“At this forum, we’re going to provide not only a cross-section of their positions but (voters) will be able to see them live,” Carrico said. “…This is going to be, in my opinion, a very beneficial introduction to all of them.”
The Republican House hopefuls will have two minutes for an opening and closing statement, said Burke County Republican Party Secretary Sandi Walker. The forum is not a debate and is intended to be informational.
Rob Eastwood, who hosts the Swap Shop on the 92.1 FM, and Hal Row, a talk-show host on 1290 AM, will co-moderate the event.
A Burke County Republican Party forum committee is drawing up questions across various topics for the forum, Walker said. The questions will be placed in a box and drawn at random.
Topics will focus on the party’s platform as well as candidates’ campaign platforms, Walker said. Questions will cover the economy, social issues, family, elections, education, the environment and national policy.
Candidates also will have the opportunity to hand out materials in the lobby of CoMMA.
The local organization is also hosting a fundraiser in which people can buy tickets for the chance to win a print of Republican presidents of this century and Abraham Lincoln. The print will be given away at the Burke GOP’s Lincoln dinner on April 21.