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Republican candidates for gov set to meet at Butler Co. forum

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Nearly all the Republicans hoping to become governor in 2016 will be at a candidate forum in Butler County for a question and answer session with local voters.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway, state senator Bob Dixon, former house member Randy Asbury and businessman John Brunner are all slated to attend the event, which will be hosted by House Speaker Todd Richardson, Poplar Bluff Republican Rep. Steve Cookson and state senator Doug Libla. Former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens is the only candidate who appears not to be attending. Poplar Bluff High School Government Teacher Mitchell Davis will moderate.

The event is being organized in large part by the Butler County Republican Party. Eddy Justice, who leads both Butler County Republicans and chairs the 8th Congressional District Republican Committee, said there would be a focus on asking the candidates about topics that hadn’t come up on the campaign much just yet.

“This forum is a great opportunity for the people of Missouri to begin the process of choosing the right candidates to initiate the steering of Missouri in a path toward economic recovery, preservation of traditional values and re-establishing our beloved state as the example of what Americans can accomplish in an environment of personal liberty,” Justice said.

Questions were written ahead of time, and none of the campaigns have access to them. All candidates will be on stage together and each will have approximately 2 minutes to respond to individual questions. The candidates will not be directing questions as one another.

The forum marks one of the first times that nearly the entire Republican field will be in one place discussing their plans for the state.  The event will begin at 5:30 at the Aad Grotto in Poplar Bluff, doors will open at 4:30 and tickets for the limited seating are $25 each, available on a first-come first-serve basis.

 

The Missouri Times will be providing live coverage of this event via Periscope.