The Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene’s voters forum from 1 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, July 10, promises to be one of the most comprehensive political events this side of Casa Grande.

The church invited all candidates from statewide races as well as the candidates from Legislative District 26, where the church is located, to the non-partisan forum. Twenty candidates from eight offices have RSVP’ed so far, according to the event organizer and moderator Conny Culver, a former Oro Valley City Council member.

Though the candidates won’t debate each other per se, attending candidates from each office will go on stage as a group to introduce themselves and answer questions submitted by the audience.

Candidates include:

United States Senate: Democrat John Dougherty will be there and Sen. John McCain’s campaign told the church he will try to be there if he returns from Afghanistan in time. Democrat Rodney Glassman never replied

to the church, according to the event organizer.

Congressional District 8: All five Republican candidates (Jonathan Paton, Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller, Andy Goss and Jay Quick) are scheduled to appear, along with Libertarian candidate Steven Stoltz. Representative Gabrielle Giffords never responded to the organizers.

Arizona Governor: Republicans Owen "Buz" Mills and Dean Martin and have already confirmed, as well as Libertarian candidates Berry Hess and Alvin Yount. Governor Jan Brewer told the church she is busy with a luncheon and Terry Goddard didn’t reply.

Legislative District 26

Senate: Senator Al Melvin and Democrat Cheryl Cage won’t have the debate she wants, but both will attend and take questions from the audience.
House: Democratic Representative Nancy Young Wright, her Republican seatmate Representative Vic Williams, and his two primary challengers, Terri Proud and Wade McLean, have all agreed to attend the forum.

State Treasurer: Termed-out state Sen. Republican Thayer Verschoor agreed to attend while another termed-out state senator running for the office, Republican Barbara Leff, is still in limbo, saying she will try to come down from Flagstaff, according to Culver.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: The only candidate scheduled to appear is Democrat Jason Williams.

Corporation Commission: Termed-out state Rep. David Bradley, a Democrat, will make his case to the audience.

Candidates who can’t attend will still be allowed to set up an info booth and attending candidates will chat with voters before and after their time on stage.

The forum will be on Saturday, July 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 500 W. Calle Concordia in Oro Valley and will be streamed live through the church’s website at wwwo.ovcn.org.