AAUW to host three nonpartisan candidate forums in Walla Walla

To help voters gain a better understanding of where candidates stand on issues that are important to them, AAUW Walla Walla is hosting three nonpartisan forums in the coming months.

A local elections candidate forum will take place Thursday, June 18, at the Walla Walla High School Auditorium. It will be moderated by Rob Blethen, executive vice president of D.S. Baker Advisors at Baker Boyer Bank.

Only candidates in contested races have been invited, including those running for Walla Walla County auditor, commissioner District 3, part-time district court judge and sheriff.

A forum for candidates in Washington's 5th Congressional District election will be held Monday, Sept. 21, at Whitman College's Cordiner Hall.

The third forum, covering Washington's 16th Legislative District election, will take place Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Walla Walla Community College Health Science & Performing Arts building.

All forums will begin at 6:30 p.m. Moderators for the congressional and legislative forums have not yet been confirmed.

The American Association of University Women, or AAUW, is a nonprofit organization that promotes equity and education for women.

Voters may submit questions to AAUW for candidates to address. The organization will then shortlist questions related to issues affecting the local community, such as health care, education and agriculture.

Carrie Wolkenhauer, a member of AAUW Walla Walla's public policy committee, said the questions will be provided to candidates in advance so they have an idea of the topics that may be discussed and time to prepare. However, candidates may not be asked every question on the list.

She said the forums are "strictly scripted and paced, and each candidate has equal time to respond to the questions."

Anyone in the community may attend the forums free of charge. They will also be livestreamed on AAUW's YouTube channel.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 10:08 PM.