Carroll County GOP committee to host candidates forum March 12

The Carroll County Republican Central and Executive Committee will host a Republican candidates forum Thursday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Friendship Center, 100 Kensington Road, Carrollton. Admission is free, and the forum is open to the public.

Organizers said the event is intended to help voters better understand candidates’ positions and priorities. The format will include a neutral moderator and a panel of local media and nonpartisan citizens who will ask questions. Organizers said candidates will be given equal time. Each candidate will be asked at least one question and will have up to 90 seconds to respond to follow-up questions, if asked.

Candidates may submit up to six questions in advance for the panel to consider. Organizers said the panel will randomly select at least two of those questions.

At the conclusion of the question-and-answer portion, each candidate will have up to two minutes for closing remarks. During that time, candidates may ask a direct question related to current events to another candidate seeking the same office. The recipient will have up to 60 seconds to respond.

Attendees may submit questions in advance by emailing Chelsa@carrollcountyohio.com. Questions also may be submitted in writing during the event, though organizers noted time limits may prevent all questions from being addressed.

Organizers said notifications were sent to Republican candidates who filed with the Carroll County Board of Elections.

Confirmed candidates expected to attend include:

State Central Committee: David Johnson, Christopher Zelonish.

State Central Committee: Tracy Winbush.

7th District Court of Appeals: Mark Hanni, David “Chip” Comstock, Molly Johnson. Don Scott has withdrawn.

U.S. House, 6th District: Michael Rulli, Jullie Kelley.

Carroll County commissioner: Donald Leggett, Ron Eick.

Carroll County auditor: Stacy Brady.

Common Pleas Court, Probate/Juvenile Division: Jennifer Thomas.

Ohio Senate: Al Cutrona.