Debate set for Thursday

With less than a month left before several county races are decided in the July primary elections, voters have one more chance to hear candidates square off against their opponents.

The final candidate debate scheduled before the election will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Lakeside High School.

The forum, hosted by the Columbia County Republican Party, will feature Republican candidates for the chief magistrate, District 3 county commissioner, sheriff, District 24 state Senator and Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court judge races.

The Superior Court race is non-partisan, and the winner of the state Senate race will face a Democratic opponent in November.

But for the rest of the contests, victory parties will be held July 20, largely based on how the county's Republican ballots fall since that's where most of the candidates will be listed.

Lee Muns, chairman of the county's Republican Party, said the first debate on May 27 drew about 100 people to Grovetown Middle School on May 27.

He said he is hoping for another strong turnout for voters to learn about their choices.

Greenbrier High School student Sam Gaston is scheduled to serve as one of the three panelists to field questions at the candidates.

"He's been very involved in the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) program there, and I thought he would bring a fresh perspective from the younger generation," Muns said.

Muns said he expects the second debate to broach new issues for the political hopefuls and draw some who attended the previous event.

"I think there were some political jockeying that took place after the last debate," he said. "We'll address some of those issues that have come up after the last debate."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Columbia County Republican Party candidate debate

WHEN: Thursday, 7-9 p.m.

WHERE: Lakeside High School, 533 Blue Ridge Drive, Evans