Area residents will have the chance to ask questions of the candidates running for the Minnesota Legislature during a legislative forum organized for Oct. 6.

Hosted by the chambers of commerce in both Albert Lea and Austin, the forum will feature District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks and his opponent Linden Anderson, District 27A Rep. Rich Murray and opponents Shannon Savick and William Wagner, and District 27B Rep. Jeanne Poppe and opponent Nathan Neitzell.

The forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services following a breakfast at 8 a.m.

Tribune Managing Editor Tim Engstrom will moderate the forum, along with members of the governmental affairs committees of both chambers.

“We think it’s extremely important for our membership and the community to be able to actually hear the differences between people who are running for various positions,” said Albert Lea chamber Director Randy Kehr. “The candidates have to be able to show how they can think on their feet, and it gives members of the community the chance to ask questions.”

Each candidate will be given the chance to make an opening statement and then during the remainder of the forum they will answer written questions supplied by audience members.

People can submit a question prior to the forum by emailing alfccoc@albertlea.org or chamber@austincoc.com.

The members of the governmental affairs committee will gather and submit the questions at the event.

The event will be broadcast live on KATE Radio.

Breakfast is $9 and reservations are required at the chamber office, 373-3938.

A forum for Albert Lea City Council and Freeborn County Board of Commissioners candidates has been scheduled tentatively for 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Albert Lea City Hall and another will be scheduled for candidates of the Albert Lea school board.