Organizers of a forum for Republican gubernatorial candidates are seeking questions from Lunenburg County residents.

“This is your chance to make an impact on how our state will be run for the next four years,” said Mike Hankins, the head of the county’s Republican Party, in reference to the questions sought for the forum, which will be held Thursday, April 6 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Kenbridge Community Center on Fifth Avenue. Seating is limited to 300 people.

The event, he said, is sponsored by the Lunenburg Republican Party.

“The public is invited to the event,” Hankins said in a release. “People in Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Brunswick, Charlotte and Amelia counties are being (asked) to submit questions for the forum that the candidates will answer that night on stage in Kenbridge. Your question can be e-mailed to mike.hankins0060@gmail.com or mailed to 308 E. Fourth Ave., Kenbridge, VA 23944. The

deadline for the questions has been extended to March 24,” he said.

According to Hankins, a committee of local ministers will select 30-35 questions that will be asked during the event. “The questions will not be given to the candidates in advance. A packet with all the questions will be given to the candidates after the event so that candidate can respond to your question personally. Please include your name and address if you would like a person response.”

During the event, a moderator will ask the questions one at a time to each candidate. “The candidate will be (have) three minutes to respond to your questions. Because this is a forum and not a town hall, no questions will be taken from the audience at the meeting. The candidates have been asked to remain at tables just outside the Kenbridge Community Center to answer questions one-on-one with anyone who has a question after the forum. The news media has been invited to cover this event.”

Hankins said this is a first-time event for Lunenburg.

“This is your chance to meet and hear the candidates live. In June, Virginia will have a primary to select both Republican and Dominate candidate for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. The top vote getters in each party will run for the election in November. This is a good time to get to know these people…,” Hankins said.

Four Republicans are seeking the nod to run for governor in the November election: Ed Gillespie, Denver Riggleman, Corey Stewart and state Sen. Frank Wagner.