Florida Today, BCC Host Candidate Forums

NOTE: Video replays of forums, when available, can be viewed here.

September 10, 2012 - Brevard Community College and Florida Today are hosting a series of candidate forums on two BCC campuses that will give the public a front row seat on key issues in the 2012 elections.

The sessions will be moderated by Florida Today Public Interest Editor and political columnist Matt Reed, and will include the chance for members of the audience to submit questions.

Most of the forums will be televised live on WBCC-TV (Bright House Channels 9 and 456) and all will be streamed live on Florida Today’s website, floridatoday.com.

The forums continue a partnership between the College and newspaper that has seen them host similar events in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, presenting a platform for more than 100 candidates to express their views.

BCC was also the site for campaign stops in the 2008 presidential race, with then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama holding a rally on the Titusville Campus and U.S. Sen. John McCain meeting his supporters at the King Center for the Performing Arts on the Melbourne Campus.

This year’s forums are again free and open to the public and BCC faculty, staff and students.

Here is the schedule:
• The forums begin Sept. 25 at the Simpkins Fine Arts Center on the Cocoa Campus.
The race for U.S. House District 8 will be the focus from 7-8 p.m., with incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, facing Democratic challenger Shannon Roberts and independent Richard Gillmor.

The contest for Brevard County Commission District 1 will follow from 8-9 p.m., with incumbent Democratic Commissioner Robin Fisher meeting Republican Richard Ware.

• The forums continue Sept. 27, also at the Simpkins Fine Arts Center on the Cocoa Campus.
The State Attorney race will be from 7-8 p.m., featuring Republican Phil Archer and Democrat Ryan Vescio.

The race for Brevard County Sheriff will follow from 8-9 p.m., with Republican Wayne Ivey and Democrat Adrian Moss-Beasley.

• The series will conclude Oct. 10 in the Palm Bay Campus Auditorium.
The contest for State House District 53 will run from 7-8 p.m., with incumbent State Rep. John Tobia, R-Melbourne, and Democrat John Alvarez.

The final debate will center on Brevard County Commission District 3 from 8-9 p.m., with incumbent Commissioner Trudie Infantini, R-Melbourne Beach, and Democrat Joe Pishgar.

The Simpkins Fine Arts Center is located in Building 4 on the Cocoa Campus, 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa.

The Palm Bay Campus Auditorium is located in Building 1, 250 Community College Parkway, Palm Bay.