ELKINS — Local voters will have the chance to meet and listen to Congressional candidates during a forum later this month.

The Randolph County Democratic Party will host a Congressional Democratic Candidates Forum on Tuesday, March 24 at the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel.

The forum will be in the conference room located above the former 1863 Tavern Restaurant, off Harrison Avenue, and is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We’ve invited eight candidates to the forum, which is going to be around two hours long,” Cindy Stemple, the Randolph County Democratic Executive Committee chair, told The Inter-Mountain. “For the first hour of the event we are going to give the candidates time to introduce themselves and then have a short question and answer session with them from the people who attend. They will be able to ask them questions and what their stance is on various things.”

Stemple said that during the second hour of the event the public will have an opportunity to get to know each of the candidates personally.

“During the second hour we are going to have some really good food and have a meet-and-greet with the candidates,” Stemple said. “During the second hour those attending will be able to get some one-on-one time with the candidates and get to know them on a personal level, which I think is important.”

Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates invited to attend include: Thornton Cooper, Jeff Kessler, Rachel Fetty Anderson, Rio Phillips, and Zach Shrewsbury.

U.S. House (District 2) Candidates invited include: Ace Parsi, Stephanie Tomana, and Steve Wendelin,

“We have room for about 200 people and we have invited some of the chairs of surrounding counties’ Executive Committees to attend,” Stemple said. “Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will have a good turnout.” 

The West Virginia primary Election will be on May 12. For more information on elections and voting the the Mountain State, visit GoVote.com. 

For more information about the upcoming Democratic Candidates Forum, go to RandolphCountyDems.com.