1/18/02
AUBURN UNIVERSITY SGA TO HOST FIRST MAJOR 2002 GUBERNATORIAL FORUM
AUBURN --Alabama's 2002 gubernatorial campaign will kick off on Feb. 18, when the Auburn University Student Government Association hosts the first major gubernatorial forum of the campaign season.
The event -- "Vision for the State of Alabama" -- is set for 6 p.m. in the Student Activities Center on the Auburn campus. There is a possibility it may be televised live statewide by Alabama Public Television.
AU SGA president Brandon Riddick-Seals said Friday the Auburn forum should provide the first setting for all five gubernatorial candidates from the two major parties to appear at a single gathering.
"We're excited about it and the candidates seem excited about it," Riddick-Seals said. "So far, we have definite commitments from Tim James and Charles Bishop. Gov. (Don) Siegelman is tentatively planning to attend. Lt. Gov. (Steve) Windom's campaign and Rep. (Bob) Riley are unsure about their schedules.
James, a Greenville businessman; Riley, a member of Congress; and Windom will face off in the Republican primary. Bishop, the state's agriculture commissioner, and Siegelman are vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.
"We're hoping that, since this is the first opportunity they'll have to come together, all the candidates will respond positively and be here," said Riddick-Seals. "There will be less than four months left before the primaries when the forum takes place and we think it's important for Alabamians to have a chance to hear them all respond to the same real questions from real voters and, since this is on a college campus, to send a message to young people that their votes matter."
Tim Lennox of APT in Montgomery has agreed to moderate the forum and AU has approached APTV about producing a live statewide broadcast of the event.
Riddick-Seals said the format calls for each candidate to respond to five previously determined questions and then selected, screened questions from those in attendance. The candidates will draw lots to determine who will respond first to the initial question and the order of response will rotate with each question.
"Of course, the candidates will be limited to the amount of time they have to respond to each question," Riddick-Seals said.
In addition to the forum, each candidate present will have the opportunity to distribute campaign information in designated areas. Attendees who have not registered to vote will also be able to do so at the forum.
Riddick-Seals said the forum is open to the public, but seating in the Student Activities Center is limited.
Alabama's primary elections are set for June 4 with primary run-offs set for June 25. Alabama will elect its governor in the general election set for Nov. 5.
jan02:au-govforum
CONTACT: Riddick-Seals, 334-844-3284,