Leelanau County Commissioner Candidate Forum

From staff reports

Election season kicks into high gear in Leelanau County next week, as the Grand Traverse Area League of Women Voters holds a candidates forum for Leelanau County Board of Commission candidates (Districts 4, 5, 6, 7) on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Leelanau County Government Center. Admission is free and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. The forum will be moderated by John Erb. Candidates include: Tom Van Pelt (Republican) and Mary Tonneberger (WPA) from District 4, Patricia Soutas-Little (Democrat) and Karen Zemaitis (Republican) from District 5; Robert Hawley (Republican) and Carolyn Rentenbach (Democrat) from District 6, and Melinda Lautner (Republican) and Bill Dungjen (WPA) from District 7.

The following night, Tuesday, Oct. 16, U.S. Congressman Dan Benishek (Republican) and Democratic challenger Gary McDowell will square off in a forum for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Traverse Area District Library. And on Thursday, Oct. 25, the Traverse Area District Library will host a candidate forum for the Michigan House, District 104, between incumbent Republican Wayne Schmidt and Democratic challenger Betsy Coffia, from 7-8:30 p.m.