HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville League of Women Voters is preparing the community for the upcoming Primary Election by hosting a series of public debates starting in April. Candidates who face opposition in their registered party will be on the May ballot.

With four mayoral candidates filed in Hopkinsville, the May election puts three republican mayoral candidates head-to-head for a spot on the November ballot. Both candidates for sheriff, PVA and select city council and magistrate seats will also debate ahead of the Primary on May 19.

Hopkinsville’s League of Women Voters consists of 30 members with the goal of protecting and expanding voting rights in a nonpartisan manner. There are currently more than 800 Leagues throughout all 50 states, each run by local volunteers. They aim to empower voters through advocacy, education and litigation.

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“Residents who attend or watch our debates will have an opportunity to hear from those that are asking to represent them. They will get a chance to see if their candidate has goals aligning with theirs,” said Nikki Chambers with the Hopkinsville League.

Questions during the upcoming debates have been submitted by local residents and reviewed by a closed group to ensure relevance. These questions are kept confidential prior to the debates. Chamber explained that their nonpartisan approach presents candidates to the community without bias.

Public debate schedule for May Primary

The last day to register to vote in the May Primary is April 20 at 4 p.m.

Debates will take place at the scheduled time in the Hopkinsville City Council chambers at 715 South Virginia Street. The public is invited to attend in person, and the debates will also be live streamed on the Hopkinsville League of Women Voters Facebook page.

Monday, April 6

  • 5 p.m. City Council Ward 9: (R) Brittanie Bogard vs (R ) Jamie Lienberger
  • 5:30 p.m. City Council Ward 10: (R) Michael Velez vs (R) Steve Keel
  • 6 p.m. City Council Ward 9: (D) Ardell Owens vs (D) Duane Shepard vs (D) Monike Love

Thursday, April 9

  • 5 p.m. Magistrate District 7: (R) Todd Morris vs (R) John Heltsley
  • 5:30 p.m. Magistrate District 8: (R) John Bruce vs (R) Lucas Stagner
  • 6 p.m. Constable District 3: (R) Jeff W. Newton

Monday, April 13

  • 5 p.m. City Council Ward 1: (R) Vance Smith vs (R) Chance Andrew Tatum
  • 5:30 p.m. City Council Ward 3: (R) Don Marsh vs (R) Brandi Stallons
  • 6 p.m. Mayor: (R) James R. Knight Jr. vs (R) Russ Guffey vs (R) Sophia Natasha Francis

Thursday, April 16

  • 5 p.m. PVA: (R) Amber Ezell vs (R) Tabitha Pryor Strader
  • 5:30 p.m. Sheriff: (R) Tyler DeArmond vs (R) Erik Pacheco
  • 6 p.m. Magistrate District 3: (R) George Barnett vs (R) Tana Loden
  • 6:30 p.m. Magistrate District 5: (R) Austin Crawford vs (R) Jonathan Zordel vs (R) Virginia Hurt-Erxeleben

The Hopkinsville League will also host a candidate meet and greet at the War Memorial Building on May 7 at 5:00 pm. 

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