The Montezuma County Republican Central Committee will moderate a debate Wednesday among three candidates seeking the Republican nomination for county commissioner.
The debate will be held Wednesday at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce, 20 W. Main St., and is open to the public. It begins at 6 p.m.
Retired Cortez police officer Diane Fox-Spratlen, former Montezuma County noxious weed director Bonnie Anderson and fifth-generation county resident Rodney Cox are seeking the Republican nomination in the June primary. The seat held by County Commissioner Jim Candelaria is up for election in November.
“They have differences for sure so it would be good for people to show up and listen to their platform,” said committee Secretary Cindy Wallace. “This is a very important election for Montezuma County.”
Committee members will ask prepared questions, and candidates will have 90 seconds to respond. Candidates will then question one another, with time for rebuttals. Audience members may submit written questions for a final round. After the debate, candidates will be available to speak with voters.
Members of the current Board of County Commissioners may also attend.
“This is wide open to the public,” Wallace said, adding that the committee debated an online option but ultimately chose to encourage in-person attendance. “We want people to show up.”
The committee will also host a county clerk candidate debate between Lenetta Shull and Jerri Frizzell at 6 p.m. May 6 at the Chamber of Commerce.
Additional debates are planned ahead of the June primary in communities outside Cortez, though details have not yet been announced.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
If you go
What: Republican county commissioner candidate debate.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29.
Where: Cortez Chamber of Commerce, 20 W. Main St.
Who: Diane Fox-Spratlen, Bonnie Anderson and Rodney Cox.
Admission: Free and open to the public
