Comstock, Murphy Headline Candidate Forum in McLean on Tuesday

Incumbent Republican Del. Barbara Comstock and Democrat Kathleen Murphy will headline a candidate forum Tuesday night presented by the McLean Citizens Association and the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce.

The candidates night forum, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, will spotlight individuals in four races who are seeking to represent part of the greater McLean area in Richmond.

Those races are:

• The 35th House District: Incumbent Democratic Del. Mark Keam and Republican Leiann Luse (6:30 to 7:15 p.m.)
• The 53rd House District: Currently held by Democratic Del. Jim Scott, who is not seeking re-election. Democrat Marcus Simon, Republican Brad Tidwell and Libertarian Anthony Tellez (7:15 to 8:15 p.m.)
• The 48th House District: Democrat Bob Brink, incumbent (8:30 to 9 p.m.)
• The 34th House District: Comstock and Murphy (9 to 10 p.m.)

The event is free and open to the public. It's at the McLean Community Center's Alden Theater, 1234 Ingleside Drive.

"If the voters who come out get an opportunity to hear from their candidates, that's our measure of success," McLean Citizens Association President Sally Horn told Patch.

The theater should hold about 370 people, plus a media section in the balcony.

WUSA News Anchor Peggy Fox will serve as moderator.

Attendees will be given index cards to submit potential questions before each group of candidates take the stage.

A four-person panel that consists of representatives from local Democratic and Republican organizations, along with the chamber and the citizens association, will vet the submitted questions.

Their goal is to make sure the questions asked get the candidates to talk about specific policy issues, Horn said. Along those lines, multiple submissions on the same topic will be boiled down to a single question.

"We're not going to ask 10 questions about gun control," Horn said.

Each group of candidates will likely be asked seven to 10 questions, perhaps more if time allows. Candidates will also be given the opportunity to make opening and closing remarks.

The McLean Community Center does not allow political signs or demonstrations inside the theater or on its property, Horn said. A table will be available for the candidates to place campaign literature, but the center does not permit individuals to hand out such literature within the building.

Movement into and out of the theater will be limited during the program as a courtesy to the candidates.