Republican Rodney Cox and Democrat Rebecca Busic will meet for the first forum of the general election race for Montezuma County commissioner during a luncheon Sept. 10 hosted by the Republican Women of Montezuma County.
The forum starts at noon at the Baymont hotel in Cortez, 2279 Hawkins St. It is open to the public and will focus entirely on issues and policies facing Montezuma County.
The Republican Women’s larger purpose is to familiarize voters with the candidates, said secretary of the executive committee Valerie Maez, and to encourage wider participation in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.
“For our form of government, we really need people to know the issues,” Maez said. “We need to have them know the candidates rather than relying on flyers in mailboxes.”
The forum is expected to last an hour.
Maez said she anticipates candidates may remain after the forum to speak with attendees. A lunch is available for $10, and those attendees wanting lunch are requested to RSVP by Monday by emailing mcgopwomen@gmail.com or texting 970-560-9603.
Attending the forum without lunch is free, but those attendees are still requested to RSVP by 5 p.m. Wednesday next week to help manage room capacity.
A moderator will ask timed questions and each candidate will have up to two minutes to respond. In total, each question will take about five minutes. Maez said the questions will not be provided beforehand, allowing voters to hear how the candidates respond on the spot.
“We think people deserve to know the candidates are capable of responding at any time on a wide range of issues. Hopefully, that's who we elect,” she said.
If time allows, the audience will be able to ask questions read by a moderator from index cards. Maez emphasized civility, saying both Republican and Democratic voters are welcome and requested that respect is given to the candidates. A period for mingling begins at 11:30 a.m.
For its October meeting, Maez said the organization plans to host candidates for Colorado House districts 58 and 59, with all candidates invited.
In District 58, incumbent Republican Rep. Larry Don Suckla faces Democratic challenger Alec Lindeman. The District 59 race is between incumbent Democratic Rep. Katie Stewart and Republican challenger Naomi Riess.
On Wednesday, Montezuma County Democrats announced the group is hosting another commissioner candidate forum, scheduled for Sept. 23 evening at the Dolores Bike Hostel, at 507 Central Ave, and moderated by LP McKay of KSJD Radio.
awatson@the-journal.com
