By Jay Ermis
HUNTSVILLE — Walker County residents have will a chance to meet candidates involved in contested races during two forums tonight.
The Republican Party of Walker County will hold a forum featuring candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the state Senate District 5 position and the 278th State District Judge’s position.
The Woman’s Forum of Huntsville will hold a forum featuring GOP and Democratic candidates in contested races in the March 2 primaries.
The GOP forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Walker Education Center on 19th Street.
Sen. Steve Ogden of Bryan is opposed by Huntsville businessman Ben Bius for the Senate District 5 position, while 278th District Court Judge Kenneth H. Keeling is opposed by Leslie G. Hardy.
The Woman’s Forum event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the District Courtroom on the third floor of the county courthouse.
Forum chair Mary Vela Novark said each candidate will have the opportunity to explain their individual platforms and a question and answer session will follow.
County Republican chair Russell Martinez said the forum will allow candidates to discuss their qualifications and backgrounds and will feature prepared questions from a moderator as well as questions from the audience.
The county Republican Party held a forum Feb. 2, featuring the four contested races for county offices.
Early voting in the March 2 primaries runs Feb. 16 through Feb. 26. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Walker County Annex off Sam Houston Avenue.
The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Feb. 23.
Deputy Elections Administrator Dee Brimer said 29,530 county residents are registered to vote in the primaries as of Monday.
Republican candidates
• State Senate — Incumbent Steve Ogden of Bryan and Huntsville businessman Ben Bius.
• 278th District Judge — Incumbent Kenneth H. Keeling and Leslie G. Hardy
• County clerk — David Standlee, Ruth White Bond and Kari French.
• Precinct 2 commissioner — Paris Mims, Bill Don Avritt and Ronnie White.
• Precinct 2 justice of the peace — Eric Fugate and Richard B. Duncan.
• Precinct 3 justice of the peace — Susan McGilberry Embry, Johnny Holland and Mark W. Holt.
Democratic candidates
• Commissioner Precinct 4 — Bobby D. Brooks and Frank Novark.
