Chamber, local media to host primary candidate forum June 29

June 2, 2026

LUDINGTON — The Chamber Alliance of Mason County and local media organizations will host a candidate forum Monday, June 29 featuring contested races in the Aug. 4 primary election. The primary election is held to decide each political party’s nominees for the November general election. Therefore, the candidates attending are in contested races. Another forum including each party’s candidates will take place in the fall.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 391 S. William St., Ludington. The event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring a chair. Community members may also submit questions for candidates in advance.

Candidates will participate in a question-and-answer format focused on issues affecting Mason County and surrounding communities.

“The Chamber takes great pride in hosting this informative event,” said Brandy Miller, president and CEO of the Chamber Alliance of Mason County. “We encourage the community to attend and hear directly from the candidates about the issues impacting Mason County. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with candidates before and after the event.”

Candidates seeking the Republican nomination who are scheduled to participate include:

• 32nd District State Senate Republican candidates Kim Cole and Max Riekse.

• 101st State House Republican candidates Luke Eising, Rich Vance, Gary Anderson, Jaxon Deur and Ben Townsend.

• Pere Marquette Township Board Republican candidates Jennifer Doggett, Ron Soberalski and Mike Wedding.

Candidates running on a nonpartisan ballot who are scheduled to participate include Ludington mayoral candidates Beth Elliot, Carol Hoekstra and Cheri Stibitz.

The candidate forum will be moderated by a panel consisting of Rob Alway, editor-in-chief of Mason County Press; Lois Tomaszewski, executive editor of the Ludington Daily News; and Steve Ruba, news director of Synergy Media.

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