Ever want to sit down and have coffee with a candidate?
The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is giving voters that chance on May 7.
“Coffee with a Candidate” will debut at the Owensboro Convention Center immediately following the Rooster Booster Breakfast that morning.
Dave Kirk, chamber president, said, “We felt like this would be the perfect opportunity for our residents to interact with the candidates running for office. At a time when politics can feel especially divisive, we want to create space for thoughtful, informed conversations.”
He said, “These are our neighbors running to represent us, and we should treat them that way.”
Kirk said the event will complement, not replace, the chamber’s traditional candidate forums in the fall.
When Rooster Booster is over that day, each table will be assigned two candidates who are not running for the same office.
People can visit with any candidate they choose and engage in one-on-one conversations.
A seven-minute timer will be used to ensure that everyone has a chance to connect.
Rooster Booster that day will feature Rich Harwood, “who will focus on a follow-up from the Building a Better Owensboro report and highlight the actions that locally led, community-driven teams are taking to address the report’s findings and strengthen civic engagement in our community,” the chamber said.
Both Republicans and Democrats are praising the event.
Jesse Hagan, chairman of the Daviess County Republican Party, said, “What makes this event special is that it shifts the focus from candidates speaking or responding to each other to candidates engaging directly with voters. That kind of personal interaction gives people a better understanding of who they’re voting for and what they stand for.”
And Larry Miller, chairman of the Daviess County Democratic Party, thanked the chamber “for providing this opportunity for all of our local and state candidates to meet face to face with those attending the May 7 Rooster Booster Breakfast.”
He said, “One of our most important duties as citizens is to be involved in the election of our local, state and national leaders. That involves getting to know our candidates and determine where they stand on important public policy issues. This is a great opportunity to do just that. What a great idea.”
Kirk said, “Our hope is that this new event will encourage more people to get out and vote while also promoting respectful, civil conversation. This is an educational opportunity, not a forum for confrontation.”
This Rooster Booster and “Coffee with a Candidate” are open to the entire community.
Candidates who want to participate should call the chamber at 270-926-1860 or email Katie Blan, director of communications and events, at kblan@owensboro.com.
By Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer