SANDPOINT — If you're looking to get to know local and state candidates, Tuesday's candidate forum is just the spot to do just that.

Bonner County media and the Selkirk Association of Realtors are teaming up to help area voters do just that as the Bonner County Daily Bee, Sandpoint Online, the Sandpoint Reader and KRFY Community Radio are hosting a candidate forum later this month.

The forum is planned for today at Sandpoint High School's auditorium. The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will end at 7:30 p.m. The forum will be moderated by Chris Bessler.

While all Republican candidates have indicated that they plan not to attend the forum, the invitation for them to talk directly to voters remains open, forum organizers said.

In addition, the forum will be broadcast live that evening on 88.5 KRFY, with the recording subsequently available on KRFY.org.

Each candidate in contested races will get two minutes to provide an opening statement. Following those opening statements, written questions will be taken from the audience. Candidates will also receive another two minutes for candidates to make a closing statement.

In addition, candidates will have the opportunities to provide campaign literature and talk with voters prior to the start of the forum.

The forum is a partnership between the groups to provide voters with information on candidates before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, working together to build an educated electorate.

In the race for the District 1 seat in the Idaho Senate, Republican candidate Scott Herndon will face Steve Johnson, who is running as an independent candidate.

In race for the Idaho House 1A seat, Democrat Karen Matthee will face Republican candidate Jane Sauter.

In the race for the Idaho House 1B seat, Republican Cornel Rasor will face independent candidate Kathryn Larson for the position.

In the District 1 county commission seat, Republican candidate Steve Smith will face Fred Arn, who is running as an independent.

In the District 2 county commission seat, Jeff Roberts is running unopposed for the seat. There are no candidates on the Democratic Party ticket and no independent candidates.

In the race for Bonner County Clerk, Roger Rudd is unopposed and is running as a Republican. There are no candidates running on the Democratic Party ticket or as an independent candidate.

Running unopposed for Bonner County coroner is incumbent Robert Beers; running unopposed for Bonner County treasurer is incumbent Clorrisa Koster; and running unopposed for Bonner County assessor is Cory Gabel.

Candidates will answer questions from local media and the public on hot local topics and other issues of interest. 

Suggested questions can be submitted to Caroline Lobsinger at [email protected], Chris Bessler at [email protected] or Ben Olson at [email protected]. Questions can also be submitted the evening of the event.