Twenty-one candidates for county and state offices spoke to a roomful of potential voters at a Meet The Candidates Forum hosted by the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 28, at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa.

Candidates for the state Senate and House of Representatives were joined by candidates for circuit clerk, county collector, county judge and sheriff.

Invitations originally were sent only to candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for the May 24 preferential primary, but candidates who will be on the November general election ballot but not on the primary ballot also were allowed to speak.

Each candidate was given one minute to introduce themselves, followed by two minutes to explain why they decided to run for office and what their goals are if elected. The candidates for the state House and Senate then were each given an additional two minutes to describe how they would work in the legislature to benefit Eureka Springs and western Carroll County.

Candidates for the state House of Representatives who spoke at the forum were Republican Brian Ayers and Libertarian Dakota Logan.

State Senate candidates who spoke were Republicans Bob Ballinger, Bryan King, Bob Largent, Keith Slape and Theodore Walker and Democrat Jim Wallace.

Circuit clerk candidates who spoke were Sara Huffman, Toni Hulsey and Denise Simone.

County tax collector candidates who spoke were Brittany Blok and Krista Burnett.

County judge candidates who spoke were Republicans Rodney Ballance Jr., Bud Phillips and David Writer, Democrat James “Rusty” Rusterholz Jr. and independent Kelly Wood.

Sheriff candidates who spoke were Republicans Bobby Engles, Brad Handley and Daniel Klatt.

Bill Ott served as the event’s moderator.