[Green] I have sent the questions to the candidates

[Dawn Hewitt]

Dear Green friends,

I have sent the questions David and Andrew prepared to all six of the candidates who have agreed to participate in the Candidate Forum on Energy and the Environment. Four candidates will be present; Sherrod Brown will send a statement, and Connor Murphy will stand in for Bill Johnson.

In my time-constrained searches on “empty-chair” regulations, I am unable to find anything directly from the FEC—only guidelines from the League of Women Voters. 

But I did find this to be interesting and useful, and we should use it to shape Rebecca’s opening comments:

 https://lwvchaffeecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EmptyChairPolicyBooted-1.pdf

It is possible that we might not be able to read Sherrod Brown’s statement, since Renacci never even acknowledged receipt of our invitation. 

However, Bill Johnson’s representative, Connor Murphy will be there, so, rather than taking questions, I hope he will be able to read Congressman Johnson’s answers to our questions, or at least a prepared statement from Mr. Johnson. I infer that he is not allowed to answer questions himself, but only to read what Johnson (or his aids, including Mr. Murphy) have prepared. 

The state and local candidates —I infer that the open chair rule does not apply to them, only to federal candidates.  So, let’s get on with the show!

I hope to see a big chunk of you after services Sunday so we can hammer those devils out of the details, and make his forum as educational, useful, and well organized as possible.

Hugs to you all,

—dawn