Candidates are used to debates, but Salem City Club wondered how they'd frame their ideas in a more informal setting. The result was a lively and informative in-studio roundtable conversation, Thursday afternoon, jointly produced by CCTV and Salem City Club and live-streamed on channel 21. Check our schedule for replay times.

City Club's program chair Bradd Swank moderated the all-Democrats forum. A similar forum invitation has been extended to Republican candidates but so far only one has agreed to participate. This is a new venture for Salem City Club, which has participated in joint debates with the League of Women Voters in past elections but wanted to try a less structured way to introduce candidates to voters All four House District 5 candidates: Kurt Schrader, Steven Marks, Nancy Moran and Andrew Foster warmed to this approach, revealing their personalities as well as their campaign stands in the hour-long conversation. Richard Nathe of Salem was unable to attend.

On April 17, City Club and CCTV will present Oregon Senate Democratic candidates, also to be live-streamed. Scheduled are Oregon Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley, Steve Novick, David Loera and Candy Neville. On April 22 the League of Women Voters hosts a candidates forum for Salem City and County positions. CCTV will be covering this event as well as part of our "Your Vote Counts" election year coverage, beginning with the May 20 primary.

Streaming Video - (Requires Windows Media Player)