2023 Candidate Forum

The 2023 Candidate Forum for the Town and County of Bedford will be held by the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce on October 25 from 5:30PM to 8:30PM at Liberty Middle School. Opposed candidates representing the Town or County at the local or state levels will have a chance to answer moderated questions at this community forum. This is not a debate but rather a civil informational session for voters leading up to Election Day. 

Doors open at 5:00PM. Town Council candidates will take the stage from 5:30PM to 6:55PM. There will be a 10 minute intermission, and then it will be time for Senate, House of Delegates, and Board of Supervisors candidates to speak. This event will be moderated by Tim Saunders, Business Engagement & Community Outreach Coordinator for Virginia Career Works.

Community members are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates prior to the beginning of the forum. An online form is available HERE. Voters are also welcome to mail questions for submission to the Bedford Chamber office at 305 E. Main Street, Bedford, VA 24523. All questions must be received at least a week prior to the Candidate Forum, on October 18. We will not be accepting questions on-site.

Refreshments will be provided by Bridge Street Cafe. This event is free and open to the public, and while RSVP is not required, we would greatly appreciate it if you did RSVP using the "Registration" button on the right hand side so that we can provide a head count for refreshments.

Speaking candidates include:

Town Council, Special 24:  Bruce Johannessen; Dave Foster; Todd Foreman; Tim Black. 

Town Council, Special 26:  Andrew Caitlin; Stacey Hailey; Jane McKeon; C.G. Stanley; Bruce Hartwick.

Board of Supervisors:  Bob Davis (R, 6th District); Andy Dooley (I, 6th District).

Senate:  Donna St. Clair (D, 8th District); Mark Peake (R, 8th District).

House of Delegates: Eric Zehr (R, 51st District); Sam Soghor (D, 53rd District); Tim Griffin (R, 53rd District).