Val Verde voters invited to meet primary candidates at SWTC forums

Val Verde County voters had an opportunity to meet candidates seeking Republican and Democratic nominations at two candidate forums hosted by Southwest Texas College-Del Rio’s Government Department and The 830 Times. The events were staged in the SWTX Auditorium, Building M, at 207 Wildcat Drive in Del Rio, providing a local forum to hear from those running for county offices ahead of the primary contests.

The Republican forum took place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Democratic forum followed at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. Organizers said all candidates seeking Val Verde County offices in both parties were invited to attend; the forums were intended to let voters compare positions directly before ballots were cast. Early voting for both the Republican and Democratic Party primary elections begins Tuesday, Feb. 17, making the information presented at the forums timely for voters preparing to mark their choices.

Joshua Overfelt, associate professor of government at Southwest Texas College-Del Rio and one of the forum moderators, framed the events as a civic tool. “Attending forums such as ours is important because it helps build a voter’s political efficacy. Citizens with a higher political efficacy - meaning they research candidates and issues important to them - are much more likely to vote than an individual who does none of the previously mentioned actions. [...] Being informed helps us decide who we elect and who will ultimately make the decisions that affect us as residents of Val Verde and Del Rio,” Overfelt said.

Joel Langton, publisher of The 830 Times and a co-host of the forums, emphasized the local newsroom’s role in presenting candidates. “The forums are a great opportunity for local voters to meet the candidates face-to-face and listen to their positions on important local issues. We aren’t going to tell you who to vote for; we will present the candidates to you, give you a chance to listen to them and let you decide who you’ll vote for,” Langton said.

For Del Rio and Val Verde residents, the forums offered direct access to candidate statements on county priorities and a chance to assess contenders in person. The events did not publish a confirmed list of attendees, so voters who want to verify which candidates participated should contact the hosts. For more information, email the event contact at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.

As early voting opens Feb. 17, voters can use the forum briefings to weigh policy positions and administrative priorities before casting ballots in the primary elections.