University of Tennessee and USA Today to host voters' forum at UTHSC ahead of 2022 elections

Micaela A Watts, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·1 min read

The University of Tennessee system has partnered with the USAToday Network-Tennessee, including The Commercial Appeal, and Lipscomb University to host voters' forums ahead of upcoming primary and general elections across the state.

Memphis' forum will be on June 16 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Schreier Auditorium.

Attendance is free, but tickets to the event are required. Tickets may be reserved online through the UT Alumni Association's site.

Democratic Gubernatorial forum with candidates Carnita Atwater, Dr. Jason Martin and JB Smiley at the Watkins Auditorium inside the Boling University Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin on Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Democratic Gubernatorial forum with candidates Carnita Atwater, Dr. Jason Martin and JB Smiley at the Watkins Auditorium inside the Boling University Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

The Memphis event is one of six forums hosted this year.

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See photos: Candidate forum at the University of Tennessee at Martin

So far, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Jason Martin, J.B. Smiley, and Carnita Atwater have confirmed they are attending the remaining forums, according to David Plazas, the opinion and engagement director for the USAToday Network-Tennessee.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Republican Gov. Bill Lee.

Candidates for the House District 9 have not responded to their respective invites, according to Plazas. The Democratic primary house candidates are incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen and challenger M. LaTroy Williams.

Republican Congressional Candidates from the 8th District Danny Ray Bridger, Gary Dean Clouse, and Bob Hendry, as well as Democratic candidate Lynnette Williams speak at the Watkins Auditorium inside the Boling University Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin on Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Republican Congressional Candidates from the 8th District Danny Ray Bridger, Gary Dean Clouse, and Bob Hendry, as well as Democratic candidate Lynnette Williams speak at the Watkins Auditorium inside the Boling University Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

Cohen, who was first elected in 2007, is seeking an eighth term in Congress.

Republican primary candidates for District 9 are Charlotte Bergmann and Brown Dudley.

Primary elections for gubernatorial, congressional, senatorial, and state representatives are on August 4. General elections will occur on Nov. 8.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Voters forum for 2022 elections in Memphis at University of Tennessee