In the race, Forums scheduled for candidates

The Weston County Republican Party has scheduled three candidate forums to give voters the opportunity to hear first-hand from those wishing to serve their communities in various capacities in the next 2-4 years.

According to information provided by Kari Drost, Weston County Republican Party chairwoman, candidates for Newcastle mayor and city council will have a forum on July 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Weston County Senior Center.

Candidates for mayor include incumbent Pam Gualtieri, current councilman Tyrel Owens and former Mayor Ed Kiesling. Three City Council seats are open in the upcoming election, but only incumbents Tom Voss and Daren Downs have filed to run for reelection.

The next evening’s forum, July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center,  will feature a pair of Republican House District 2 candidates. Running for that office are incumbent Allen Slagle and former Rep. J.D. Williams.

The final forum will be on Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Weston County Senior Center, and it will feature Weston County Commission candidates.

With two seats open, five Republican candidates are running. Incumbents Ed Wagoner and Don Taylor are seeking reelection. They will face former commissioner Martha (Marty) Ertman, as well as Mike Harris and Henry Nessul, for two spots on the general election ballot.