Candidate Forum May 23, 2018

The candidate forum will only feature candidates affected by the primary election on June 5. Meaning, only candidates that could be eliminated by another candidate running under the same party for the same position have been invited to participate in this forum. The twelve affected candidates are:  Republican candidates for Sheriff - Tommy Bolack and Shane Ferrari  Republican candidates for Probate Judge - Gary Risley, Brandt Thrower, and Stacey Biel  Republican candidates for Magistrate Judge Division 1 - Erich Cole, Gary McDaniel, and Frank Dart  Democrat candidates for County Commis

From Farmington Young Professionals &

the Farmington Chamber of Commerce:

The Farmington Young Professionals (FYP) will be hosting a candidate forum on May 23, 2018 starting at 5:30 p.m. for county positions affected by the upcoming primary elections. Spurred by a request from a community member, FYP is filling a need for local voters.

This forum, being held at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W Arrington, is open to the public and will give candidates a chance to answer two to three questions relating to the position for which they are running. All candidates running for the same position will answer the same questions, and should allow the public to clearly see where they stand on pertinent issues.

The candidate forum will only feature candidates affected by the primary election on June 5. Meaning, only candidates that could be eliminated by another candidate running under the same party for the same position have been invited to participate in this forum. The twelve affected candidates are:
 Republican candidates for Sheriff - Tommy Bolack and Shane Ferrari
 Republican candidates for Probate Judge - Gary Risley, Brandt Thrower, and Stacey Biel
 Republican candidates for Magistrate Judge Division 1 - Erich Cole, Gary McDaniel, and Frank Dart
 Democrat candidates for County Commissioner District 1 - Glojean Todacheene, Zachariah George, Wallace Charely, and Wetona Becenti.

“I know I was surprised a few years ago when outcomes for several county positions up for election were decided during the June primary election because all the candidates were from the same party. I was not prepared for that! I thought I had till November learn about candidates and vote!” exclaims Christa Chapman, the community member who made the forum request to FYP. “It was very disappointing, and my boyfriend and I wanted to give people a chance to be more informed this year, so we reached out to Farmington Young Professionals to host a candidate forum.”
Chapman continued, “There is a reason these positions are elected and not hired or appointed. The decisions they make affect our lives. Hopefully, if we make it easier to be informed, people will see the importance of getting out and voting!”

The current Sheriff and Probate Judge positions can be voted on by all registered Republican voters in the county. The current Magistrate Judge for District 1 can be voted on by registered Republican voters in the north east side of the county (see http://www.sjcclerk.net/images/images/stories/Election/PrecinctMaps/Districts/Magistrate_Division_1.pdf for a
map of the Division). And current County Commission seat for District 1 can be voted on by registered Democrat voters on the west side of the county, including Kirtland and Shiprock (see http://www.sjcclerk.net/images/images/stories/Election/PrecinctMaps/Districts/Commission_Distrcit_1.pdf for a map of the District).
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 is the registration deadline for those who would like to register to vote, or change their party affiliation in order to be eligible to vote in the June 5 primary election. According to the San Juan County Clerks website (sjcclerk.net), “To participate in the 2018 Primary Election you must be registered as a Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian. If you need to make any changes to your voter registration, the deadline is May 8, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. If you are 17 years old and will be 18 on or before the November General Election (November 6, 2018) you are eligible to vote in the Primary Election held June 5, 2018. You must be registered to vote by May 8, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.” You may only vote for candidates running in your declared party and that represent the area in which you live.

All candidates running unopposed in their party will make it through to the November election and will be invited to participate in a later forum for the general election where applicable.
For more information on the forum you may call the Farmington Chamber of Commerce at (505) 325-0279 or visit www.gofarmington.com. We are also welcoming submissions for questions to be asked to the candidates at the forum. If you would like to submit a question for consideration please email the question to chamber@gofarmington.com or call the Farmington Chamber by Monday, May 14th at 5:00 p.m.
About Farmington Young Professionals
The Farmington Young Professionals is a committee under the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. FYP consists of motivated, energetic, young at heart professionals, who seek enrichment by participating in professional, community, and social activities that improve the community and its members.