Candidates invited to Colfax forum

All candidates appearing on the ballot for port commissioner, Colfax mayor and council and Colfax school board have been invited to participate in the voter forum Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Colfax Branch of Whitman County Library. Pullman League of Women Voters, Whitman County Gazette and the Library are official sponsors.

Port candidates are Tom Kammerzell of Colfax and Al Sorensen of Pullman. Candidates for Colfax Mayor are Todd Vanek and Carol Stueckle. All four qualified for the primary after finishing in the top two places in primary election returns in August.

Diane Smerdon, Voter Services Chair for the Pullman League of Women Voters, said as a standard policy they limit the forums to candidates whose names will be on the ballot. That format means Jeff Didier, who is campaigning as a write-in candidate for Colfax mayor, will not participate in the forum, but he has been invited to attend, and he will be welcome to hand out materials and visit with attendees before and after the program.

Smerdon added that Vanek has informed the league that he will be out-of-town on the night of the forum.

Colfax City Council incumbent Earl Leland and challenger Jim Kackman have also been invited to attend.

Colfax School Board races include three incumbents and challengers; Brian Becker challenged by Barbara Morgan, Laura Johnson challenged by Kirby Dailey, and Robert Smith challenged by Eric Doering.