Candidates take the stage at SNP/Chamber Forum

BIG CREEK –– More than 75 people attended a nonpartisan candidate forum earlier this week at Shoshone Golf Course.  

The forum was hosted by the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce and Shoshone News-Press, a partnership that has hosted several election events over the years.

The event was open for any candidate on the upcoming ballot to attend, in a low-stakes environment that allowed each candidate to state their platforms and explain why they should get people’s votes. Candidates answered questions during the casual sip and mingle period that followed the presentations. 

Democratic candidates Tom Hearn, Loree Peery, Jack Rupp, and Holly Lindsey, as well as independent candidate Tami Holdahl, attended the forum. Their unified message: Get out and vote.  

Noticeably, none of the Republican candidates attended the event, which drew some speculation from the gathered crowd. However, according to Shoshone County Republican Central Committee Chairman Damien Cowles, all the Republican candidates were either out of town on Tuesday evening or had prior engagements. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and invitation.

Juli Zook, one of the event’s organizers, was frustrated by the perception that the event was one-sided but affirmed that efforts to keep the event nonpartisan and inclusive were made. 

“The object is to inform the voters and have an opportunity to address the candidates about topics and concerns in order to make an informed vote,” Zook said. “I was pleased with the turnout of community members and was hoping all candidates would share their views about decisions affecting our daily lives in Shoshone County. We reached out several times to make sure every candidate had the opportunity to participate, but I was very grateful for the candidates who took time out of their busy schedules to attend this valuable and timely event.”

Shoshone County has already seen an increase in voter participation during this election. As of Wednesday morning, 1,133 early and absentee ballots were cast. Meanwhile, a total of 1,688 ballots were cast in the May primary election.  

All of the candidates appearing on next week's ballot submitted profiles that were published in the October 25, issue of the Shoshone News-Press.