“We want our voters to be educated and informed about the candidates and where the candidates stand on different issues that affect us every day.”  

Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Doran-Martinez 

MOSES LAKE — Voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking local, county state and federal offices during the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's Candidate Forum on July 21 at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. 

The event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at CB Tech, 900 Yonezawa Blvd. Candidates competing in races with three or more candidates have been invited to participate. 

Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Doran-Martinez said the forum is designed to help voters become more informed before casting their ballots. 

“We want our voters to be educated and informed about the candidates and where the candidates stand on different issues that affect us every day,” Doran-Martinez said. 

The chamber has received commitments from nearly all candidates in the eligible races, she said. The exception is the crowded race for Washington's 4th Congressional District seat, where about half of the 11 candidates are expected to attend. 

Unlike a debate, the event will be structured as a forum focused on providing information rather than confrontation. 

“It’s not going to be heated or anything,” Doran-Martinez said. “We have good decorum and respect for everyone, and so it’s just a nice event to listen to positive comments from everybody.” 

Each candidate will have an opportunity to make opening remarks before responding to questions developed by a committee of event sponsors. The questions will not be provided in advance, allowing candidates to give unrehearsed responses. 

“We want to hear them speak from the heart and how they feel and stand on issues without it being rehearsed and scripted,” Doran-Martinez said. 

Sponsors helping develop the questions include the Columbia Basin Herald and local radio stations. Doran-Martinez said organizers are focusing on issues currently drawing public attention and concern. 

The chamber hopes the event will draw a strong audience both in person and online. The forum is expected to be livestreamed, including on the Columbia Basin Herald’s Facebook page, giving voters additional opportunities to watch. 

Doran-Martinez said community participation is important because the decisions made by elected officials affect residents' daily lives. 

“It affects our local economy. It affects the direction, the leadership of the different entities and where they’re taking us,” she said. “If we don’t do our due diligence and put qualified people into elected positions, we could have serious consequences for the direction they choose to take that organization.” 

She encouraged residents to stay engaged after the forum by attending public meetings, following government agencies and elected officials, and keeping informed through local news sources. 

Success for the event, Doran-Martinez said, will be measured by strong attendance, high online viewership and ultimately a well-informed electorate. 

“We want to have people there listening,” she said. “It shows that our voting community is engaged with the process.” 

The candidate forum is open to the public and free to attend.  

Meet the candidates 

July 21 at 6-8 p.m.  

Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center  

900 Yonezawa Blvd., Moses Lake