A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

NKyTribune offers forums for state legislative candidates, Erlanger mayor — more in the works


Community forums for candidates in certain races in the November 6 election will be offered by the Northern Kentucky Tribune, starting October 11 at the Kenton County Public Library in Erlanger.

Other forums are on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Erlanger library and on Monday, Oct. 29 at a place to be announced.

The NKyTribune reached out to all candidates in the nine state legislative races, all of which have multiple candidates this year.

We received no responses from incumbents Sal Santoro and Joseph Fischer. Those who declined to participate, citing busy schedules, were incumbents Diane St. Onge, Adam Koenig, and Kim Poore Moser. We made every effort to find alternative dates to make the forum match-ups possible. We offered the opposing candidates the opportunity to be heard and each who opted for that will be given 20 minutes to meet the public and state their cases.

In addition, we are offering a session for the mayoral race — an open race with no incumbent — in Erlanger. Two candidates — Randy Blankenship and Jessica Fette — will be participating on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Mark Hansel, managing editor of the NKyTribune, will moderate. Questions in writing will be accepted from the audience.

Rules of civility and common courtesy will apply. No signs will be allowed into the meeting spaces.

The NKyTribune does not endorse candidates but provides a public service platform for honest and open dialogue.

Here is the schedule-to-date of the forums for candidates:

Thursday, October 11, 6:30 p.m.
Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger branch

State Legislative Race — District 66
(for seat vacated by Rep. Addia Wuchner)

Lex Hannan
Roberto Henriquez
C. Ed Massey
(Stacie Earl – no response)

Starting approximately 7:40 p.m.:

Erlanger Mayoral Race
(open seat, vacated by Tyson Hermes)

Randy Blankenship
Jessica Fette

Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m.
Kenton County Public Library – Erlanger Branch

State Legislative Race — District 61
(seat vacated by Brian Linder of Dry Ridge)

Darrell Link
Savannah Maddox

Starting about 11:15 a.m., these candidates will be heard in succession, as their opponents have declined to participate:

Josh Blair — District 63

Jesse Parks — District 60

Col Owens – District 69

Monday, October 29, 6:30 p.m.
Place to be announced

State Legislative Race – District 67

Dennis Keene (incumbent)
Bob Schrage

Starting about 7:40 p.m.
(seat vacated by Arnold Simpson)

State Legislative Race – District 65

Jordan Huizenga
Charles ‘Buddy’ Wheatley

Other forums for certain races that do not already have public forums scheduled are under consideration. We will work with any willing participants to help organize forums open to the public. Contact news@nkytrib.com.


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3 Comments

  1. Roger Auge II says:

    Typically, the Republicans, declining to talk to public, why, because they have nothing to say. Nothing to offer. Vote for the ones who actually show up and talk.

  2. Jack says:

    So the first set of debates scheduled for this Thursday the 11th, but you just released the information to the public Monday afternoon? Doesn’t seem like enough time was granted to any of the participants to fairly and adequately prepare.

    • Judy Clabes says:

      The participants were fully informed throughout this process. We just couldn’t pin down specific dates earlier because of juggling schedules that worked for everyone who agreed to participate. None of this was a surprise to participants. Our challenge is getting the dates out to the public now which we are endeavoring to do. Please share the information.

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