The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri and local public radio station KRCU will present a debate Thursday designed to give area voters a closer look at candidates running for the 8th Congressional District.

Candidates from the Constitution, Democratic, Libertarian and Republican parties will participate, along with two independent write-in candidates. The debate begins at 7 p.m. Thursday in the distance learning center room at the Cape Girardeau Area Career and Technology Center.

Scheduled to participate are:

• Thomas Brown, an independent write-in candidate and retired teacher who lives in Fredericktown, Mo.
• Doug Enyart of the Constitution Party, who is a former U.S. Marine and a forester from Piedmont, Mo.
• Robert George, a Cape Girardeau doctor and independent write-in candidate.
• Steve Hodges, a Democrat representing the 149th District in the Missouri House of Representatives.
• Libertarian Bill Slantz, a St. Charles, Mo., business owner.
• Jason Smith, a Republican and the speaker pro tem in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Janice Miller, treasurer of the League of Women Voters and event organizer, said questions from the audience will be taken before the start of the hourlong event. Candidates will be allowed opening and closing statements with one minute to respond to each question.

KRCU host Jacob McCleland will be the moderator.

"I think this is going to be an exciting opportunity for the public to hear from six candidates," McCleland said.

A special election will be June 4 for the 8th Congressional District seat, which was vacated by Jo Ann Emerson in January. Emerson, a Republican, was re-elected to the seat for a 10th term in November. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Miller said the event will give the public a chance to meet with candidates and let them hear positions on issues.

Seat availability at the event will be first-come, first-served. No registration is required. Those who wish to attend are asked to arrive no later than 6:45 p.m.

A live broadcast of the debate can be heard on KRCU 90.9 radio and online at krcu.org. A recorded broadcast will be available after the event on the station's website.

Southeast Missouri State University, KFVS12 and the Southeast Missourian plan to host an 8th Congressional District debate at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at the River Campus. The Cape County Tea Party also is planning a candidate forum May 22 at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

eragan@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO