AARP
AARP Florida, the Florida League of Women Voters, the Orlando Sentinel and FOX 35 will sponsor a “community conversation” Aug. 16 that will offer area residents an unusual chance to focus on where candidates for three Orlando-area seats in Congress stand on key domestic issues ahead of the Aug. 30 primary elections, organizers of the event said Monday.
“With so much attention focused on national political campaigns today, many voters are just now starting to focus on where candidates for Congress stand on issues that will affect our everyday lives for years to come,” said Jack McRay, AARP Florida’s advocacy manager and one of the event organizers. “This ‘community conversation’ offers voters an outstanding opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on key issues.”
All candidates who will appear on the ballot for Congressional races in Districts 7, 9 and 10 have been invited to attend the event. Organizers said it will focus on key domestic issues, including updating Social Security, financial security, consumer issues, health care, caregiving, veterans’ issues, domestic security, energy, the environment, transportation, taxation and government operations.
The Community Conversation will be covered by both the Orlando Sentinel and FOX 35.
The event is modeled on a highly successful 2012 event hailed by local residents as one of the best Orlando political forums in recent memory. The format of the event encourages candidates to respond to each other’s comments while responding to questions asked by local journalists Scott Maxwell, columnist for the Orlando Sentinel, and Ryan Elijah, local anchor of FOX 35 News.
“The Aug. 30 primary should be on every voter’s calendar. Florida has more congressional seats open for new candidates than any other state this election. These forums are important to introduce new candidates to their constituents. Florida’s newly elected representatives will have a crucial impact on the important decisions that need to be made in Washington, D.C. We are pleased to be a part of this educational community forum,” said Pamela Goodman, president of The League of Women Voters of Florida.
“We are glad to take part in an event that supports our priority of helping voters educate themselves on the candidates and issues that define the 2016 political season,” said Orlando Sentinel Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Avido Khahaifa.
Members of the public may submit proposed questions to candidates online here.
This Community Conversation is made possible by the financial support of AARP Florida, the League of Women Voters of Florida, the Orlando Sentinel and FOX 35.
The event will be held from 6:15-8 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Orlando Science Center, 777 Princeton St. in Orlando. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and available seating is limited. Attendees will be seated on a first-come, first-seated basis.
