Recap: Paulding Chamber's Candidate Forum

Several candidates for state office from Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties are in Dallas tonight for the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Candidate Forum.

The event begins at 7 p.m., and Dallas-Hiram Patch, Douglasville Patch and West Cobb Patch will be bringing you live coverage from the event.

Invited to take part in tonight’s forum are those running for House Districts 19, 66 and 67, as well as Senate District 31.

As of Monday afternoon, all three candidates for House District 19 had confirmed their attendance at the event. In the District 19 race, incumbent Paulette Rakestraw Braddock of Powder Springs is being opposed by Michael Ray James of Acworth and Melissa Morrison of Dallas in the GOP primary. The victor will have no Democratic opposition in November.

All three Republican candidates vying for the new District 66 seat are set to attend—Michael “Mike” Miller, Bob Snelling and Mickey Thompson, all of Douglasville. Kimberly Alexander of Dallas is not expected to attend due to being away on business; she is the sole Democratic candidate seeking the House seat.

All three candidates for Senate District 31 have confirmed their attendance. The three Republican candidates—incumbent Bill Heath of Bremen and challengers Bill Carruth and J.K. Rogers, both of Dallas—debated earlier this month; Dallas-Hiram Patch brought you live coverage from that event.

As of Monday, neither candidate for the District 67 seat had confirmed their attendance. In that race, incumbent Bill Hembree of Winston is unopposed for the July primary, but will meet Democrat Leigh McMutry, also from Winston, in November.

The forum also will feature candidates local to Paulding—those seeking the chairmanship and the board’s Post 1 seat have been invited to speak.

The forum will be moderated by Terry Lawler, executive director of the Regional Business Coalition.

Return here at 7 p.m. for live coverage of the entire forum.