The Lincoln County News invites the public to hear directly from local candidates for the Maine State Legislature during its candidates forums on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Thursday, Oct. 13.

The first forum will take place at the new office of the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, 297 Bath Road, Wiscasset, at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6. The building was formerly the Midcoast Country Chapel and is near the Sea Basket on Route 1.

The second forum will take place in Skidompha Public Library's Porter auditorium at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13. Skidompha is at 184 Main St. in downtown Damariscotta, although the easiest access to the auditorium is through the back entrance on Elm Street.

Lincoln County News Editor J.W. Oliver will moderate the forums, which will begin with brief introductions from the candidates. Oliver will then pose a series of questions to the candidates about state issues and encourage the candidates to discuss the issues among themselves. If time allows, he will invite questions from the audience.

Lincoln County Television will record the forums for broadcast at a later date.

Light refreshments will be available.

The forums are free and open to the public.

Wiscasset forum

The forum in Wiscasset on Thursday, Oct. 6 will feature the candidates for Senate District 23 and House Districts 53, 80, 87, and 89.

Guy M. Lebida, R-Bowdoin, and Eloise A. Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, are the candidates for Senate District 23, which consists of Dresden and Sagadahoc County.

Rep. Jeffrey K. “Jeff” Pierce, R-Dresden, and William L. “Will” Neilson, D-Arrowsic, are the candidates for House District 53, which consists of Arrowsic, Dresden, Georgetown, Phippsburg, part of Richmond, and Woolwich.

Rep. Lori A. Fowle, D-Vassalboro, and Richard T. Bradstreet, R-Vassalboro, are the candidates for House District 80, which consists of part of Augusta, Somerville, Vassalboro, and Windsor.

Rep. Jeffery P. “Jeff” Hanley, R-Pittston, and Wendy S. Ross, D-Wiscasset, are the candidates for House District 87, which consists of Alna, Pittston, Randolph, and Wiscasset.

Rep. Stephanie Hawke, R-Boothbay Harbor, and Dr. Wendy J. Wolf, I-Boothbay Harbor, are the candidates for House District 89, which consists of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, part of South Bristol, Southport, and Westport Island.

Damariscotta forum

The Damariscotta forum will feature the candidates for Senate District 13 and House Districts 88, 90, and 91.

Sen. Christopher K. “Chris” Johnson, D-Somerville, and Dana L. Dow, R-Waldoboro, are the candidates for Senate District 13, which consists of all Lincoln County except Dresden, plus Washington and Windsor.

Rep. Deborah J. “Deb” Sanderson, R-Chelsea, and James R. “Jim” Torbert, D-Whitefield, are the candidates for House District 88, which consists of Chelsea, Jefferson, part of Nobleboro, and Whitefield.

Rep. Michael G. “Mick” Devin, D-Newcastle, and Roberta C. “Robin” Mayer, R-Damariscotta, are the candidates for House District 90, which consists of Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Newcastle, part of Nobleboro, and part of South Bristol.

Abden S. Simmons, R-Waldoboro, and Dr. Emily Trask-Eaton, D-Waldoboro, are the candidates for House District 91, which consists of Friendship, part of Union, Waldoboro, and Washington.