Democratic candidates to air views

The Columbia County Democratic Party will play host to two public forums featuring the three declared Democratic gubernatorial candidates.

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The first forum, featuring David Poythress and state Attorney General Thurbert Baker, will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in the Columbia County Library in Evans.

Baker and Poythress, former commander of the Georgia National Guard, secretary of state and state commissioner of labor, will speak about their platform and about what they see as the important issues facing Georgia.

After the speeches, a question-and-answer session will be held, including questions from the Democratic Party and the audience, said Gwen Freeman, chairwoman of the county's Democratic Party.

"This is new," Freeman said, adding that party membership has grown from about 10 in December to about 75 members. "This is the first time that Columbia County has had a Democratic Party with this many members."

The forum also will feature a dinner catered by Sconyer's Bar-B-Que.

"We'll do our business first and afterwards we're eating and mingling," Freeman said. "People will still have the opportunity to meet the candidates and ask any questions personally."

Tickets cost $20 and will be available at the door.

Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended and can be done by calling (706) 513-3400 or sending an e-mail to columbia cntygademocrats@gmail.com.

Of the 10 gubernatorial candidates, three are Democrats.

The party will hold a second forum Monday for the third Democratic candidate, state House minority leader DuBose Porter.

Porter's forum will start at 7 p.m. in the Columbia County Government Center Auditorium in Building A on Ronald Reagan Drive.

That event is free.