Annual AARP candidate forum set Aug. 11

WASILLA — The summer primary election season is in its last 10 days, and candidates vying for four state house and two state senate seats in the Valley will get a last shot at making their points later this week.

Some 19 candidates have been invited to attend the annual Alaska AARP candidate forum Aug. 11, set for 5:30-7:45 p.m. at Mat-Su Senior Services in Palmer. The address is 1132 S. Chugach St.

Mat-Su Senior Services Director Rachel Greenberg, one of the moderators for the forum, said snacks and refreshments will be available starting at 5 p.m., with the debates split up into three locations at the facility: room A, the dining room and the activity room. Greenberg will be joined by moderators Chas St. George of Sandbox Solutions and Alaska Commons co-founder John Arrono.

Attendees also will have a chance to meet one-on-one with candidates, who have been invited to set up tables.

Greenberg said the format will most likely follow what has been done in years past, with the candidates being asked two prepared questions, then the floor will be opened to questions from the audience, either in spoken or written form. Candidates will draw numbers for the order in which the questions will be received, she said.

“I would encourage people who plan on attending to be prepared to ask questions,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg said this is her fourth year as a debate moderator, a position she said she uses to stay informed as a voter along with being part of the political process.

“I prefer to be an informed voter and I hope those who think likewise will come out and see the candidates,” she said. “Too many people in the world don’t have the opportunities to participate in the political process like we do. Part of that responsibility is to be informed in a way to able to vote for someone that you are comfortable with.”

The first round of forums begins at 5:30 p.m., and the second at 6:45. Below is the schedule and the candidates running for each seat. The list indicates invited candidates and not a confirmation of appearance.

5:30 p.m.

House 12 — Room A

• Karen Perry

(Alaska Constitution)

• Cathy Tilton (R)

• Gretchen

Wehmhoff (D)

House 7

Activity Room

• Sherie Olson (D)

• Brandon Montano (R)

•Colleen

Sullivan-Leonard (R)

House 11

Dining Room

• Richard Best (R)

• DeLena Johnson (R)

• Bert Verrall

(non-affiliated)

6:45 p.m.

House 9 — Room A

• Jim Colver (R)

• Pamela Goode

(Alaska Constitution)

• George Rauscher (R)

Senate D

Activity Room

• Lynn Gattis (R)

• David Wilson (R)

Senate F

Dining Room

• Adam Crum (R)

• Tim Hale

(non-affiliated)

• Shelley Hughes (R)

• Steve St. Clair (R)

• Samantha

Laudert-Rodgers (D)