MATTAWA — Grant County residents are being invited to ask questions of candidates for state and local offices at a candidate forum Thursday and Wahluke High School, 505 N. Boundary Rd. 

South Grant County Chamber of Commerce Secretary Pam Thorsen said the event will start with a meet-and-greet at 5 p.m. to allow candidates to mingle with the public. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. with an overview of the rules and the introduction of the sponsors, and candidates will answer questions beginning at 6:15 p.m.  

Thorsen said candidates for governor, US Senator, US House of Representatives, Washington Legislature, state and county court positions and other state offices have been invited to participate.  So have candidates for Grant County Commission and the Grant County Public Utility District commission. An online option has been added for candidates that can’t attend in person, Thorsen said. 

Thorsen said the topics that will be covered at the forum are vital for voters to be informed about. The chamber is sponsoring the event in cooperation with the Wahluke School District and the Columbia Basin Herald.  

“It’s important for a lot of reasons. It’s everybody’s right, but it’s also their responsibility,” she said.  

Turnout is relatively lower in the south part of the county, she said, but it’s important that people get involved. Decisions made by the people elected will affect people throughout the state, including south Grant County, she said. Residents need to hear from the people who will represent them.  

The district will provide the venue, though it is important to note that the district does not endorse any candidate for office, but is looking to ensure residents are informed during an important election year. 

Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow said he’s interested in finding out what candidates have to say about various labor regulations and school finance issues that pose challenges for school districts statewide.  

The newspaper’s Managing Editor R. Hans “Rob” Miller will moderate the forum as part of the paper’s efforts to ensure voters are prepared to fill out ballots for the November election. Miller said that, while the presidential election is obviously very important, county residents need to know about the other elections that directly impact their property taxes, bill at the fuel pump and other important concerns that affect quality of life for all Grant County residents.  

“Our property taxes, utility expenses, cost of groceries and how well educated our community’s children will be are all a part of the discussion we’ll have on the twelfth,” Miller said. “Choosing between Trump and Harris is important for our country, but these other elections will have incredible impacts for all of us personally as well.” 

Thorsen said the chamber is sponsoring the event in part to bring more attention to the needs of the less populated portions of Grant County. Places that need roads maintained, accessible county services and safety just like the county’s population centers. 

“We’ve got big issues,” Thorsen said.