With the Nov. 4 election fast approaching, the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Snoqualmie Valley School District to help residents of the fifth district get to know the candidates for the state legislature and senate.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 6:45 p.m., candidates Cheryl Pflug, Phyllis Huster, Glenn Anderson, David Spring, Jay Rodne and Jon Viebrock will greet the public in Mount Si High School’s commons area. At 6:45 p.m., the candidates move to the auditorium, where they will introduce themselves and answer questions from a panel made up of community members and high school students. The forum will then open to audience questions before wrapping up at 9 p.m.

Washington’s fifth legislative district is made up of east and south King County, including the Sammamish Plateau, Issaquah, Snoqualmie Valley and Maple Valley. Republican state senate incumbent Pflug is challenged by Huster, a Democrat. Republican position 2 incumbent Anderson is challenged by Spring, a Democrat. Republican position 1 incumbent Rodne is challenged by Viebrock, a Democrat.

The candidates will receive the panel questions in advance to give them “the opportunity to put their best foot forward,” said Karen Granger, executive director/CEO of the chamber.

The panel questions will address policy areas that the East King County Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition has identified as high priority in its legislative agenda. Those areas include business taxation, economic development, education and transportation.

Audience members will be free to ask whatever they like.

Granger said she hopes Valley residents will take advantage of this free event.

“This is a really great opportunity for people to meet these folks, evaluate them and ask questions,” she said.

“We wanted to involve high school students to get a diversity of age groups, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives,” Granger said.

For more information about the forum, call the chamber at (425) 888-4440, or visit www.snovalley.org.