The Johnson County Post will host eight nights of forums this fall ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, giving local voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates who want to represent them in local and state offices.
As has been the case since the Post started hosting these events more than a decade ago, the questions we’ll ask the candidates will come directly from our readers.
You can still tell us what you want candidates in your community talking about this election season. Send us your ideas or questions for the candidates to stories@johnsoncountypost.com.
In the weeks leading up to the election, we will also be publishing candidates’ responses to questions crafted from reader input, as well.
“There’s often a significant gap between the issues that politicians and political parties talk about most and the issues that local voters say are most important to them,” said Post Publisher Jay Senter. “Our approach is designed to put average residents’ interests at the center of campaign coverage.”
The forums will be moderated by Post Editor Kyle Palmer. All events will be free and open to the public.
These events will take place at Johnson County Library branches and will be co-sponsored by the library. Johnson County Library hosting these events does not constitute an endorsement for any particular candidate or issue.
You can RSVP at the Facebook event links below, but it’s not required. It will help us prepare for the number of audience members if you tell us you’re coming.
The full schedule for this fall’s forums is below:
Kansas State Board of Education candidates
- Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Start time: 6 p.m.
- Central Resource Library (9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park)
- RSVP on Facebook
Kansas House & Senate candidates (southern OP and Leawood area)
- Wednesday, Sept. 25
- Start times:
- Senate District 35: 5:30 p.m.
- House districts 27 & 28: 6:15 p.m.
- House districts 8 & 48: 7:15 p.m.
- Blue Valley Library (9000 W. 151st St., Overland Park)
- RSVP on Facebook
Kansas House & Senate candidates (northeast Johnson County area)
- Tuesday, Oct. 1
- Start times:
- Senate District 7: 5:30 p.m.
- House districts 19 & 20: 6:15 p.m.
- House districts 24 & 25: 7:15 p.m.
- Merriam Plaza Library (6120 Slater St., Merriam)
- RSVP on Facebook
Kansas House & Senate candidates (De Soto, Lenexa, Shawnee area)
- Thursday, Oct. 3
- Start times:
- House districts 17 & 18: 5 p.m.
- House districts 39 & 117: 6 p.m.
- Senate districts 9 & 10: 7 p.m.
- Monticello Library (22435 W. 66th St., Shawnee)
- RSVP on Facebook
Kansas House & Senate candidates (OP, Olathe and Lenexa area)
- Tuesday, Oct. 8
- Start times:
- Senate districts 6, 8 and 11: 5:30 p.m.
- House districts 14 & 30: 6:15 p.m.
- House districts 5 & 49: 7:15 p.m.
- Lenexa City Center Library (8778 Penrose Lane, Lenexa)
- RSVP on Facebook
Kansas House & Senate candidates (Olathe, Gardner area)
- Wednesday, Oct. 9
- Start times:
- House districts 15, 78 and 121: 6 p.m.
- Senate districts: 23 & 37: 7 p.m.
- Gardner Library (137 E. Shawnee St., Gardner)
- RSVP on Facebook
Board of County Commissioners
- Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Start time: 6 p.m.
- Central Resource Library (9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park)
- RSVP on Facebook
Johnson County Sheriff and District Attorney
- Wednesday, Oct. 16
- Start times:
- Sheriff forum: 6 p.m.
- DA forum: 7 p.m.
- Central Resource Library (9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park)
- RSVP on Facebook
Reminder: Ask the candidates questions
The questions we ask the candidates during our forums and in our written questionnaires come directly from our readers.
So, tell us! What local issues are most important to you? What do you want to hear the candidates talking about during this fall’s campaign?
Send your suggestions to us at stories@johnsoncountypost.com.
