Ashland University’s AUTV-20 will broadcast live a candidate forum featuring candidates for Ashland County Common Pleas Court judge on Wednesday April 27 at 7 p.m.

Republicans Victor Perez and David Stimpert are squaring off in the May 3 primary election for the GOP nomination to run in November for the seat currently held by Judge Ron Forsthoefel. Forsthoefel announced last year that he would not seek re-election after 12 years on the bench. No Democrats are running for this position.

In addition to Armstrong Cable channel 20, the forum will also be broadcast live on the Journalism and Digital Media streaming channel (Search JDM Streaming on the Internet). It will be re-broadcast on AU’s radio station, 88.9-WRDL, on Sunday May 1 at 8 p.m., and replayed periodically on Armstrong’s channel 20 until the election.

“This is a highly competitive race with two good candidates for one of the most important and influential positions in local governments,” said Ted Daniels, an AU adjunct instructor and adviser to The Collegian. “It’s an opportunity to see how the candidates respond on live TV to questions from a panel of local reporters.”

Produced by students of AU’s award-winning Journalism & Digital Media department, the panel of reporters will include Katie Foster representing The Collegian and AU-Live.com, Dillion Carr from the Ashland Source and Grant Ritchey of the Ashland Times-Gazette. AUTV-20 News Producer Lydia Bice will serve as moderator.

“The Candidate Forum telecast provides another excellent opportunity for JDM students to hone their craft as developing media professionals,” said Dr. David McCoy, JDM department chair and adviser to AUTV-20. “Moreover, this program enables the Journalism and Digital Media department to advance its goal of continued outreach and public service to the greater Ashland community.”