Organizers of an 8th Congressional District forum slated for Wednesday night are hopeful the format of their event will help reveal differences among candidates.

Six congressional hopefuls running in a June 4 special election will participate in the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party's forum at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

They include Thomas W. Brown, an independent; Constitution Party candidate Doug Enyart; Dr. Robert George, an independent; Democrat Steve Hodges; Libertarian Bill Slantz; and Republican Jason Smith.

"We are trying to come up with some good questions to either differentiate them, or to hold their feet to the fire six months from now when the winner votes for something and it doesn't follow what they said they would do," said Brian Bollmann, chairman of the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party.

Candidates will be allowed to give opening statements with one another present before being sequestered when the forum moderator asks questions of each candidate separately. A prior candidate forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters and KRCU public radio, featured the candidates in a panel-style setting.

Bollmann also said the questions will be reflective of stances and issues important to the tea party.

"They should know their Constitution," he said.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and is free and open to the public. The group is providing space in the library for 100 people to attend, although Bollman said there is space for more should it be needed. He also said if anyone would like to meet with the candidates beforehand they should arrive early. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event is scheduled to end at 8 p.m.

A separate debate for 8th District candidates is set for 6:30 p.m. May 28 at the River Campus. The event is hosted by Southeast Missouri State University, KFVS12 and the Southeast Missourian.

A vacancy in the district was created in January with the resignation of Jo Ann Emerson, a Republican who held the seat for more than 16 years.

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