A local candidate talks about the difficulties in running for a public office amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Shirley, a candidate for Road Board, Zone 3, says he's disappointed he received a call from the League of Women Voters saying there would be no county general election candidate forum this year.



The league is having a city council forum Tuesday, July 7th at 6pm in the Murfreesboro council chambers. This will be socially distanced and we are waiting to know if a live audience will be permitted.

But for the county general election, they are exploring other options. They say a significant number of candidates were either not available on the dates offered, asked for a virtual forum or just didn't respond to inquiries.

Shirley says it's been a difficult time to be a candidate for public office:



The league is currently exploring alternatives, like an online voter guide. But there has been no concrete decision made on their plan of action at this point. Shirley says he will be more than willing to participate in whatever they decide to do.

By the way, WGNS is planning a series of forums on the radio with candidates in contested races that will be on the ballot in August and November. Stay tuned for more information on when those forums will be broadcast.