SALISBURY — The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday will have a candidate forum at Trinity Oaks, 723 Klumac Road, for Republicans running for county commissioner.

The forum will start at 6 p.m. All three Republicans running for county commissioner have confirmed their attendance — incumbents Mike Caskey and Craig Pierce as well as challenger Lee Withers. Barring a successful write-in campaign, two of the three Republicans will win a spot on the board by finishing atop the primary ballot.

Josh Bergeron, editor of the Salisbury Post, will moderate the forum.

Each candidate will have two minutes for opening comments. Salisbury Post readers are asked to submit questions to be considered for the forum by emailing editor@salisburypost.com

The forums are free and open to the public; however, seating is limited. Those unable to attend the event can watch it on Channel 16. It will be broadcast several times prior to Election Day on March 3. Those interested can also listen to it on the radio live on Memories WSAT.  

Campaign buttons at Tuesday’s forum are permitted. However, no signage, campaign materials or mascots will be allowed at the venue. Tables will not be provided for the candidates to display their materials. The chamber of commerce is asking that candidates refrain from putting campaign signs on the Trinity Oaks property.

This candidate forum is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, Catawba College, WSAT and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the event is to educate voters about the candidates and their stands on issues of importance to the business community. 

The chamber holds annual candidate forums through the guidance of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Terry Osborne. The committee reviews relevant local, state and national issues and makes policy recommendations to the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Particular areas of interest include business advocacy issues, community and economic development, land-use, infrastructure and transportation systems. 

The Rowan Chamber is a not-for-profit business advocacy organization with 800 members. The Chamber has been serving the needs of the business community for over 90 years.

For more information, contact the Chamber: 704.633.4221 or info@rowanchamber.com or rowanchamber.com