(LAGRANGE) - Community members had the chance to hear from the candidates running for office this November.
The LaGrange County Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a "Meet The Candidates" forum Tuesday at Lakeland Intermediate School. Candidates running for local, State and Federal seats attended the event.
After introducing themselves to the audience, the candidates were then asked questions, which were presented to the individuals running for the same office. First up was incumbent Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman and Democratic candidate Kelly Thompson, who are seeking the Third Congressional District seat in Washington, D.C.
The question asked of the two candidates is How would you ensure the needs of smaller rural communities remain a priority in National decision making?
Thompson, who is from Kosciusko County, answered first, saying electing people from the District is a good first step because people in small rural communities care about schools, churches, businesses and health care. Thompson says if she's elected she will fight for all of these because small tow living is where it's at.
Stutzman then gave his answer, saying elected officials from rural communities need to be more vocal about the needs of their constituents, and not let the big cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles drive what is being done in Washington D.C.
Many of the candidates stayed after the forum to speak to members of the audience.