With election time quickly approaching, last night’s Meet the Candidates presentation gave each candidate for contested state and county positions the opportunity to speak to the voters, allowing them five minutes to express themselves. The room was filled with interested voters at the Knox Community Center as candidates or their representatives made their cases to the audience.
Candidates for U.S. Senate Joe Donnelly and Richard Mourdock were given time to speak on stage to the audience. Mourdock was unable to attend, but a representative for Donnelly was present to address the voters.
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives Jackie Walorski was also unable to attend, but Pete Mullin spoke to the voters on behalf of his son, Democrat Brendan Mullen, who is also running for the House.
A representative for Mike Pence, Republican candidate for governor, addressed the voters at the community center, but a representative for Democrat candidate John Gregg did not appear for the presentation.
The candidates for State Senator in District 5, Democrat Deb Porter and Republican Ed Charbonneau, were both present at the event to address the audience and make their five-minute speeches.
Democrat Jim Arnold, who is the incumbent State Senator for District 8, spoke to the voters about his time in the Senate and his plans for the future. Unfortunately, no representative for Republican candidate Eric Harris was present.
For the state representatives for District 16, Democrat Richard Ludington and Republican Douglas Gutwein both attended the Meet the Candidates night and gave their speeches to the gathered audience.
Republican incumbent State Representative for District 20 Tom Dermody spoke at the event, but neither Democrat candidate Karen Salzer nor a representative was present to speak.
At the county level, Starke County Commissioner candidates for District 3, Democrat incumbent Dan Bridegroom spoke at the event along with Republican Kent Danford. For county council, Republicans Bryan Cavender, Talia Reed, and Bruce Williams made their speeches at the event, and Democrat Freddie Baker was also present to make his presentation. Democrat candidates Judy Benninghoff and Bob Sims were not present last night.
