Voter group to host District 3 forum
The Republican incumbent and Democratic challenger in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District have been invited to appear at a public forum Oct. 22 at Southern Adventist University.
A news release said the forum is being organized by the League of Women Voters of Chattanooga and the university's journalism and history/political science departments.
Incumbent Republican Chuck Fleischmann is seeking his fifth term. His Democratic challenger, Dr. Danielle Mitchell, is making her first bid for elective office.
According to the release, Mitchell has confirmed her attendance but Fleischmann had not responded to the invitation as of Friday.
"The goal of this forum is to provide a venue for public education about the candidates' platforms and positions, enabling voters to make informed decisions, and we certainly hope both candidates will participate," the LWV said in the release. The league is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes political participation but does not endorse candidates or contribute to political campaigns. Southern Adventist University takes the same position, the release states.
The forum is set for 6-8 p.m. in the Hulsey Wellness Center, 480 University Drive. Doors will open at 5:30 pm. A moderator will conduct the forum and candidates will have time limits for opening and closing statements and to answer questions from the audience.
Those who can't attend can watch on Facebook Live or see it on Facebook after the event concludes.
Immigrant rights group backs Thongnopnua
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition's voter arm has endorsed Joda Thongnopnua in the House District 30 race.
Thongnopnua, a Democrat, is competing with Republican Esther Helton for the open seat.
The group, which goes by TIRRC Votes, launched the voter organization this year to "build political power for immigrant and refugee communities and create a pro-immigrant majority in the state," according to a news release.
Thongnopnua parents were both from immigrant families - his father from Thailand and his mother's family from Italy.
He "understands the challenges and opportunities that come with migrating to the U.S. and how immigrants are a part of the fabric of our communities and the character of our country," the TIRRC Votes release states. "As a state legislator, Thongnopnua will fight for all working families, including immigrants."
The release said the organization will mobilize naturalized citizens and their U.S.-born children, along with pro-immigrant allies, "to go to the polls in record numbers."
Corker lauds pastor's release
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday celebrated the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson from two years of detention in Turkey.
Earlier this year, Corker's committee approved legislation introduced that would restrict loans from international financial institutions to Turkey until its government ends the unjust detention of U.S. citizens. Corker also raised Brunson's case with senior Turkish leaders and officials in the Obama and Trump administrations, according to a news release.
"This has been a long and painful ordeal for Pastor Brunson and his family, and we are relieved that they will finally be reunited after this long period of his unjust imprisonment," Corker said in the release.
"Pastor Brunson's release represents an important step towards mending U.S.-Turkish relations. Going forward, we should use this as an opportunity to address our real differences with Turkey and must continue to advocate for other U.S. citizens, embassy staff and the Turkish people, who are being subjected to abuses by Turkish authorities."