Forums scheduled in local races

Most state House, Charleston County Council and other local candidates will participate in one of several forums next month, but there won't be a forum in two local races.

The forum's sponsors, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area, said Monday that incumbent District 115 state Rep. Wallace Scarborough declined to participate because of prior campaign commitments, and County Council District 6 incumbent Curtis Bostic had a previously scheduled event that couldn't be changed. Scarborough and Bostic face Democratic challengers Anne Peterson Hutto and Vic Rawl, respectively.

The league and chamber unveiled dates for four forums.

On Oct. 7, Republican challenger Chris Cannon and incumbent state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis will face off at 7 p.m. at the James Island Charter High School.

Also, the seven candidates for three seats on the James Island Public Service District board will get a chance to speak.

On Oct. 14, Cannon and Stavrinakis will face off again, along with state House District 109 candidates Republican Steven Smith and incumbent Democrat Rep. David Mack and state Senate 42 candidates Republican Scotty Sheriff and incumbent Democrat Sen. Robert Ford. That forum will be at 7 p.m. at the Charleston County Main Library.

On Oct. 21, the nine candidates for five seats on the Charleston County School Board will participate in a 7 p.m. forum at North Charleston City Hall.

And on Oct. 29, the candidates for County Council's District 3 and District 7 seats and Charleston County Coroner candidates Henry Middleton and incumbent Rae Wooten will participate in a 7:30 a.m. forum at Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce at 2750 Speissegger Drive in North Charleston.

In most cases, the candidates will get to make a brief introductory statement and then will be asked questions submitted by audience members. All forums are free and open to the public.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@ postandcourier.com.