Local candidates debate tonight at 6 pm

Many eyes are focused on the big national and state races, but the Nov. 5 ballot will also have a host of state and county races. The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce will fill that gap next week with a candidate debate.

The Government Affairs Committee chaired by Brian Pate has set the debate for Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, and admission is free. It is sponsored by UNC Health.

Pate has not announced which candidates are invited to the debate. The races covered and their candidates are:

• Wake County Commissioner District 6 where the candidates are Shinika Thomas, Democrat and Jacob Arthur, Republican
• Senate District 18 where the candidates are Terrence Everitt, Democrat; Brad Hessell, Libertarian; Ashlee Adams, Republican.
• Senate District 11 where the candidates are James Mercer, Democrat, and Lisa Barnes, Republican
• House District 35 where the candidates are Evonne Hopkins, Democrat; Michael Oakes, Libertarian; and Mike Schietzelt, Republican.
• House District 66 where the candidates are Sarah Crawford, Democrat; Phillip Lin, Republican; and Michael Nelson, Libertarian
• House District 7 where the candidates are Matthew Winslow, Independent and Gavin Bell, Libertarian.

• Multiple candidate meet-and-greet opportunities
• Live television broadcast
• Post-event recording available for viewing

This debate offers a unique chance to hear directly from the candidates vying to represent our community. As a chamber dedicated to fostering connections between business and local government, we’re excited to facilitate this important dialogue.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UNC Health for their generous sponsorship of this event. Their support enables us to bring this crucial forum to our community, underscoring their commitment to civic engagement and informed decision-making.

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed about the issues that matter most to our region. Whether you attend in person, watch the live broadcast, or view the recording afterward, your participation is vital to the democratic process. Join us as we shape the future of Wake Forest and our surrounding areas. Together, we can ensure our business community’s voice is heard and our interests are represented in local government.

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