On October 22, 2024, the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts at Curtiss Hall was abuzz with anticipation as the Great Lakes Bay Region Candidate Forum unfolded. This sold-out event, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Midland Area, the League of Women Voters of Saginaw County, as well as many other community groups, brought together a diverse and engaged audience, including many of our members and outgoing Congressman Dan Kildee.

The forum featured Kristen McDonald Rivet and Paul Junge, the Democratic and Republican nominees in the 2024 race to represent Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. Moderated by Chad Livengood from the Detroit News and Zoe Clark from Michigan Public Radio, the debate provided a platform for both candidates to present their visions and policies to a well-represented audience from both sides of the political aisle.

For those who couldn’t attend, CSPAN will be airing video coverage of the event, which can also be accessed here at a later date [https://www.c-span.org/video/?539285-1/michigan-8th-congressional-district-forum].

Reflecting Michigan’s polarized electorate, the audience’s engagement underscored our mission to provide nonpartisan events that educate voters with straightforward information about candidates and ballot issues. We are proud to have been part of this significant event and look forward to continuing our efforts to promote civic engagement and informed voting in our community.