The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee will host its Annual Candidates Forum, virtually on May 12 at 6:00 p.m..

This event, held virtually for the first time, will give voters an opportunity to learn about each candidate in the Georgia Senate District 23 race, the Columbia County Commission District 2 and the Columbia County Board of Education District 7 seat. The primary will be held on June 9, 2020 with early voting from May 18- June 5, 2020.

Each candidate will give an opening statement, followed by rotating questions, and then a closing statement. The program will begin with the Senate race, followed by the Commission race and end with the Board of Education seat. Each section should last approximately 35 minutes. The Chamber will also inform voters about the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) referendum.

Advanced registration is required by registering through this link, http://columbiacountychamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/zoom-candidates-forum-virtual-session-17766, and will be held on the Zoom platform. This virtual event is open to the public.

Candidates include, GA Senate District 23: Trey Allen (R), Max Burns (R) and Ceretta Smith (D); Columbia County Commission District 2: Lee Benedict (R), Mark E. Petersen (R), Don Skinner (R), and Robert G. Willis Jr. (R);Columbia County Board of Education District 4(Non-Partisan): William S “Billy” Jackson and Lee Ann Myer (I).