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AARP Bogalusa has announced its plans to hold a Bogalusa Mayoral Forum at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at the Bogalusa High School auditorium, located at 100 M.J. Israel Drive in Bogalusa. Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The candidates are incumbent mayor Wendy Perrette, and challengers Tyrin Truong and Teddy Drummond.

In the national AARP Bulletin dated October 2022, Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, notes that older voters can make a difference in this year’s elections. Jenkins states that to educate and inform voters, AARP chapters will be holding candidate forums, debates, tele-town halls and virtual forums where citizens can hear directly from candidates running for office. Bogalusa AARP is proud to host a similar event in our city.

In the past, Bogalusa AARP has partnered with The Daily News and also garnered the support of attorney and Bogalusa native, Charles “Chuck” Hughes. Both will be involved in this year’s forum, as well. Citizens may submit questions they’d like to see answered to the Daily News by emailing justin.schuver@bogalusadailynews. Please note that not all questions will necessarily be used in the forum.

Other supporters of the forum will include the Dr. A.Z. Young Foundation, the historic Bogalusa Voters League and the Washington Parish NAACP.

“AARP strongly encourages people to get out and vote for the candidates of their choice,” Jenkins said. “We do not have a political action committee for donating to candidates, nor do we contribute to any candidate or political party.”

Bogalusa AARP is prohibited from endorsing candidates, as well. Our goal is simply to help citizens understand where candidates stand on the issues, and to help them make informed decisions, as well as to make sure they have every opportunity to vote.

“Our voices do decide,” Jenkins said. “At AARP, we want to make sure that decision is an informed one.”

We are requesting all attendees to the Bogalusa forum to be respectful and show courtesy and dignity to all of the candidates.

Again, residents may submit their questions by email to justin.schuver@bogalusadailynews.com, subject line “Bogalusa Mayor Candidate Forum.” There is no guarantee made that any particular question will be used, but all will be considered.

We hope to see everyone at BHS on Monday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m.

This article was written by Emma Dixon, who is the president of AARP Bogalusa.