Due to several candidate cancellations, Westminster College and the Fulton Sun have cancelled Thursday's debate planned at Coulter Science Center.
Republican state Rep. Travis Fitzwater of House District 49 said Monday he couldn't come, as he had to be out of town for personal reasons. Kent Haden, Republican candidate for House District 43, cancelled Tuesday, saying he didn't get a list of debate topics in a timely manner.
With Thursday's debate down to one race - that between Republican state Sen. Jeanie Riddle and Democratic candidate Ayanna Shivers for Senate District 10 - the decision was made Tuesday to cancel Thursday's event completely.
What was to be a third debate between U.S. Congress candidates Republican Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer and Democrat Katy Geppert on Oct. 18 also was cancelled last week when Luetkemeyer's office responded that he would not attend.
The Fulton Sun regrets any inconvenience made to the candidates who agreed to debate and began preparations to do so.
Other candidate events
Fulton residents Charles Jackson, Carmen Brandt, Robert Chiles and Steve Moore will host an event Wednesday night to get to know the candidates and ask them questions.
Confirmed candidates are Ayanna Shivers, Democratic candidate for Senate District 10; Lisa Buhr, Democratic candidate for House District 49; Susie Ferguson, Democratic candidate for Callaway County presiding commissioner; and Katy Geppert, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress.
"Everyone's invited," Moore said. "It's your opportunity to meet with them and ask them questions."
There will be a table at the event where people can register to vote. The last day to register for the Nov. 6 election is Oct. 10.
The 6 p.m. event is at Guiding Light Baptist Church, 1023 Westminster Ave. Dinner will be served including ham, green beans, corn and sweet potatoes, and dessert.
A new candidate forum has been organized from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at KACO-The Kitchen. At that event will be Buhr, Shivers and Jamie Blair, a Democrat running for state representative in District 43.