The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Clarksville held political forums on Oct. 5 for the upcoming November election. The following groups were recorded at the Chamber of Commerce offices at 335 Franklin St.: the State of Tennessee Governor; City Council Wards 1, 2, 6, 7, and 10; and the City Mayor. They are be available to view on the Chamber website, on YouTube, or below. The video recordings of each forum remain accessible online through Election Day.

Each candidate on the ballot is personally invited to share their platform, but no one is obligated to take part in the forums. This non-partisan initiative gives voters a chance to compare perspectives and make informed decisions before they head to the polls.

To ensure a balanced comparison, the candidates were each asked the exact same set of questions, covering major topics including Traffic, Infrastructure, Funding, Qualifications, Vision, and Strategic Plans. Each participant was given equal time to respond, including for opening and closing statements. This non-confrontational format prioritizes facts and information, giving voters the opportunity to evaluate candidates using their own statements.

Hosting political forums is a powerful way to engage, inform, and connect your community around important issues. They offer an opportunity to hear diverse voices and hear directly from those who hold, or hope to hold, positions of influence. Forums also give a direct, side-by-side comparison of candidates and their perspectives on key issues, helping make informed choices at the ballot box. They build community engagement and dialogue by creating a safe, moderated space where candidates can explain why they are running for office. For candidates, forums offer a platform to reach a broad audience, connect with potential supporters, and show their commitment to the community.

Here are the candidates who participated, along with the corresponding video:

Governor

Lauren Pinkston and Dave Seeman

City Mayor

Mark Riggins, Wanda Smith and Brian Zacharias

City Council Ward 1

Adolf Dagan and Sabrena Gillespie

City Council Ward 2

Bill Cody and Eric W. Claunch

City Council Ward 6

Charles “Chas” Uffelman and Justin Swallows

City Council Ward 7

John Dewey Robinson and Christina Lee Hardesty

City Council Ward 10

Stacey Streetman and Chris Reneau

For info on voting

The Election Commission will hold State General and City of Clarksville Elections on Nov. 3, and early voting will be held Oct. 14-29. Times and locations are listed here.

Please call the Chamber of Commerce at 931-647-2331 for more information.