Leauge of Women Voters Candidate Fair Draws Roomful at Katy Depot

Political candidates and constituents filled the Women's Waiting Room of the Katy Depot, 600 E. Third, for a while Tuesday evening for a Candidate Fair, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Sedalia-Pettis County.

The free event was designed to allow voters to meet and greet candidates for county and state-wide offices in anticipation of the Aug. 2 Primary ballot.

The LWV sent out 42 invitations to candidates in contested races, and 20 candidates or their representatives showed up. Seventeen of them RSVP'd and three showed up unannounced for a total of 20.

“We were very pleased with the number of candidates,” said LWV Co-President Kathleen Boswell. “We realize not all of the state-wide candidates could come to Sedalia, especially just two weeks out. But several sent representatives and the area candidates did a very good job of getting here. And our attendance was one of the best ever.”

Boswell added that she was very thankful the event wasn't scheduled outdoors as has been the case in the past. “It is well into the '90s and having it here at the Katy Depot was extra nice. We could have air conditioning and plus a lot of people came into the building who had never been here before,” she said.

The event was a group effort of the League, Boswell noted, with some in charge of refreshments, and others were taking attendance. Co-President Mary Merritt acted as emcee for the Candidate Fair. Dr. Marge Harlan served as official timekeeper, holding down each candidate's remarks to two minutes.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization, Boswell emphasized. “We not have any event if we did not have all sides represented,” she noted.

A similar event will be held at a later date in advance of the Nov. 8 General Election, it was noted.