Candidates Forum on Thursday

DIA sent this my way and I thought I'd pass it on...

NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release
May 22, 2006

RAPID CITY?Democracy in Action will sponsor a primary candidates forum on Thursday, May 25, to allow Rapid City-area voters an opportunity to meet South Dakota House, Senate, and Seventh Circuit judiciary candidates who are running in contested races in the June 6 primaries.

The forum will be held at National American University, 321 Kansas City Street, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., in the second-floor auditorium. The event will begin with brief opening statements by candidates followed by questions prepared by Democracy in Action, written questions from the audience, and brief closing statements. Moderators will lead a civil dialog, and candidates? responses will be timed.

Invitations to take part in the forum have been sent to candidates in six contested primary elections in the Rapid City area.

Candidates for District 32 Republican Senate (Adelstein/Schwiesow) and District 33 Democratic House (Long Fox/Loudner/Nelsen) have confirmed their participation. The candidates from District 35 will attend the North Rapid Civic Association forum at General Beadle School at the same time Thursday.

Invitations have also been sent to the three candidates running for one of the circuit court judgeships in the Seventh Circuit, which comprises Pennington, Fall River, Shannon and Custer Counties.

Democracy in Action, a Black Hills organization of politically active progressive women, will be endorsing progressive candidates in Districts 29-35. Democracy in Action will provide information only, not endorse, in judicial elections.

The NAU auditorium is located on the second floor at the back of the building. For those requiring them, a wheelchair ramp and elevator are located near the back door on the ground floor. Refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.

On Saturday, June 3, South Dakota families will be invited to meet the endorsed primary candidates at a Take Back South Dakota! Rally at the Memorial Park Band Shell, near the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, from 1 to 4 p.m. In addition to endorsed candidates and guest speakers, there will be music, refreshments, voter registration, and an opportunity to learn more about the voting process.

Democracy in Action is a grassroots movement of women working to bring progressive change in South Dakota, and is committed to informing and energizing voters to create a climate where progressive candidates are elected. DIA supports the empowerment of women, economic opportunity, access to affordable health care, strong public schools, responsible environmental stewardship, native justice and racial reconciliation, protection of civil liberties, advancement of the arts, global cooperation, and civil public policy dialogue.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Karen Raben, Democracy in Action Campaign Committee, at 605-716-2778.