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WMU holding state House candidate forum

May 10, 2010

KALAMAZOO--Candidates for two state House seats representing large parts of Kalamazoo County will answer questions at a public forum Tuesday, May 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Fetzer Center at Western Michigan University.

The outcome of the August primaries and November general election will shape the direction of Michigan for the next decade and beyond. All statewide offices are up for election, none with an incumbent. Term limits will force a large turnover in the Legislature, and there will be a statewide proposal for a constitutional convention.

Gordon Evans, Morning Edition anchor for public radio WMUK will moderate the forum, which will include all of the candidates who will appear on the ballot for the 60th and 61st House districts. Those districts constitute the western three-fourths of the county, including the cities of Kalamazoo and Portage.

Candidates in the 60th are Democrats Dustin Harback, Sean McCann and Chris Praedel, and Republican Jeff Fernandez. Candidates in the 61st are Democrat Thomas Batten and Republican Margaret O'Brien.

Each candidate will respond to two questions submitted in advance. Candidates will then respond to questions submitted by the audience as selected and read by the moderator. Each candidate will be allowed brief closing remarks.

A second forum for candidates in the 20th state Senate district race is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, also from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Fetzer Center. WMU's Office of Legislative Affairs is sponsoring both forums.

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Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news