Democratic Candidates for 8th Congressional District to Meet in First Public Forum

The first public forum for the 10 Democratic primary candidates in the 8th congressional District, hoping to replace retiring Congressman Jim Moran, is set for Saturday, April 12 in Mount Vernon.

The event will be in a Q&A format from 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Vernon Senior High School 'Little Theater,' 8515 Old Mt. Vernon Road in Alexandria. George Burke, the Virginia Democratic Party's 11th Congressional District chair, will moderate the forum. Burke has a long career as a spokesman and journalist, with extensive experience on Capitol Hill. He currently works in the U.S. House of Representatives as Communications Director for Congressman Gerry Connolly.

The high school auditorium seats 480 people. Organizers are hoping that members of the general public who are undecided will come to the event so they can get a better idea of who they would like to vote for.

The free public forum is sponsored by the Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee (MVDDC).

Ten candidates are currently running. Most candidates have agreed to participate. The primary is Tuesday, June 10.

The moderated forum will be the first opportunity for citizens to hear the candidates speak and answer questions. Candidates will make short statements but the focus will be on questions collected from the community and the audience.

Voters can meet the candidates in a brief reception following the forum.

There are 10 Democratic candidates:

• Don Beyer
• Lavern Chatman
• Adam Ebbin
• Bill Euille 
• Charniele Herring 
• Patrick Hope
• Derek Hyra
• Satish Korpe
• Mark Levine
• Bruce Shuttleworth

The forum will be taped for local cable TV.

Also read:

• Adam Ebbin Wins 8th Congressional District Straw Poll in Alexandria

• Alfonso Lopez Ends Campaign for Congress

• Oprah in Arlington: 'I Came Here Tonight to Support Lavern Chatman'

• Save the Date: Meet the 8th Congressional District Candidates in Springfield

• Adam Ebbin Kicks Off Congressional Campaign in Alexandria

• Patrick Hope Tops Arlington Young Democrats Straw Poll

• Latest Straw Poll Puts Don Beyer on Top in 8th Congressional District Race

• Oprah to Headline Fundraiser in Arlington for Laverne Chatman Congressional Campaign

• Delegate Mark Sickles Exits Race for Congress

• Democrats Bill Euille, Mark Sickles Kick Off Campaigns for Congress

• Don Beyer Wins Straw Poll Among Democrats in 8th District Primary (March 2)

• Alexandrians Mark Levine, Derek Hyra Enter Race for Congress
• Community Leader Lavern Chatman Enters Congressional Race
• State Sen. Adam Ebbin Announces Run for Congress
• Charniele Herring Enters Race for Congress
• Sickles Joins Growing List of Democrats Seeking 8th Congressional District Nod
• Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille Enters Congressional Race
• Patrick Hope Launches Congressional Campaign
• Report: Don Beyer to Enter Race for Congress
• After Jim Moran: Awaiting a Swarm of Potential Successors