From the University of Arizona’s Mel & Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health website:

The health and wellness of Arizonans is a hot topic of debate this election season. Get to know the candidates and where they stand on health issues next Wednesday, Oct. 20th at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Graduate students from the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health will host the open forum titled, “Voting on Health: A Southern Arizona Candidate Forum.”

This is an opportunity for voters to hear what the legislative candidates have to say about their role in promoting the wellbeing of Southern Arizonans, and their plans to address key issues that affect the health of individuals living in this region. The forum in open to the public.

Participating Arizona legislative candidates running for state offices in the November 2nd election:

Paula Aboud (D) for State Senate, District 28
Dr. Ted Downing (N/I) for State Senate, District 28
Dave Ewoldt (I) for State Senate, District 28
Steve Farley (D) House seat, District 28
Pat Fleming (D) House seat, District 25
Sally Gonzales (D) House seat, District 27
Peggy Judd (R) House seat, District 25
Pat Kilburn (R) House seat, District 29
Bruce Wheeler (D) House seat, District 28

Drachman Hall, 1295 N. Martin Avenue, Room B109, Tucson, AZ. Parking is free in the Drachman Hall East lot after 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 | 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Refreshments will be served from 6:30-7 p.m.)

That’s the information on the website, but the latest update is that these candidates are also attending:

Gene Chewning (I), House seat, District 27
Dr.Todd Camenisch (D), Senate seat, District 30
Robert Compton (R), House seat, District 27
Ruben Ortega (D), House seat, District 25 (maybe)
Daniel Patterson (D), House seat, District 29
Dr. Macario Saldate (D), House seat, District 27
Ken Smalley (R), House seat, District 28
Kent Solberg (G), House seat, District 27

That’s a lot of candidates (15 or 16) to listen to in 2 hours, from the Democratic, Republican, and Green Parties, and three Independents.

This will hopefully be a neutral, non-partisan forum to learn about candidates’ views on health issues in the state legislature, prior to the 11/2/10 General Election. I corrected the notice on their website to reflect that Dr. Downing is no longer running as a Democrat, but now Non-partisan/Independent. I wrote about that change back in March (click here).

For more information, please call Renee Fullerton at 520.626.8036, rfullert@email.arizona.edu.