Clarkson and Wilson, both Democrats, are current commission members. Contenders Voegele, Eastman and Groom are Republicans; Mars is a Democrat.

Clarkson cited her 28 years of service to the county -- 24 as county clerk and four on the county commission -- and she would like to continue to serve.

She mentioned that she had trained hundreds of election workers over the years.

Groom, who has long had a welding business in the county, said he thinks it's time for a younger generation to run for public office so they can be a role model for their children.

Mars, from Arkansas City, has served on the school board there and currently works in industry. He wants the commission to work more closely with Cowley First to bring new industry to the area.

Eastman said he is concerned by the lack of people running for public office. He wants to improve the transparency of commission activities and communication between the commission and the community.

Wilson, who is completing his first term on the commission, said commission members have "accomplished a considerable amount of things attempted for the last 20 years. The county is in good shape," and he wants to continue to serve.

Voegele did not give an opening statement.

The district 2 contest will be decided in November. Several questions were addressed to all of the commission candidates. The first concerned how an individual would handle people if a divisive issue such as eminent domain or county zoning came before the board.

The only candidates to directly answer the question was Mark Eastman. He responded that it is difficult to make everybody happy and to try to meet all the needs of the people. He said people have to work together to accomplish what is best for the county.

Carmelita Clarkson said her home was always open to people who wanted to talk with her, and if they called, she would always return their calls. She said she wanted to serve the people and keep taxes low.

All of the other candidates focused on zoning -- which they all more or less oppose (most would accept zoning for the U.S. 77 corridor) -- and eminent domain -- which could be useful for public roads but not for private gain.

When a specific question was asked about the 77 corridor, Clarkson said she would want residents to vote on zoning.

Groom said he is opposed to countywide zoning.

Mars said zoning should be restricted to a half-mile on either side of the corridor from Strother Field south to the Oklahoma border.

Eastman said the zoning of the corridor might not be needed now but could be needed later, so it needs to be considered to protect the county.

The number one priority for being elected included, according to candidates in the primary.

Mars -- Get county and colleges together to develop workforce.

Clarkson -- Public input to educate kids so they can choose sooner what they want to do.

Eastman -- Keep taxes down, get industry here.

Groom -- Need economic development but also need to help small businesses, especially with tax breaks.

Wilson -- County is already implementing changes because Winfield, Ark City, county commission, colleges, industries and ABCDE in eastern part of county are all working together.

Read and Emerson were asked two questions. One was what makes a good sheriff.

Emerson said the position is mostly administrative and he's had 25 years of experience in administration. He pointed out that you do not have to be a law enforcement officer to become sheriff. "You can become an officer after you are elected."

Read said the job is both administrative and human resource oriented as well as a police post. For Read the most important qualifications for sheriff are being accessible, honest, personable and being out in the field with the officers. "I enjoy the field work and administration," Read said. "I do not have one single regret about 22 years" as a sheriff's officer. Asked about the most pressing issues facing the county, Read said it is drugs. He cited the Cowley First survey that indicated the public feels the same way. He wants to bring back a canine unit and a drug court.

Emerson said the drug problem is "everywhere" and he thinks there should be more involvement by the sheriff's department in teaching students in the schools.

The last questions asked the sheriff's candidates were individual.

Emerson was asked his qualifications in terms of working with a large staff. He said he had hired six or seven individuals and supervised 14 or 15 in his jobs. "I know the sheriff's department is a lot bigger," he said, but he said his work with hundreds of people through the Red Cross prepared him for the job.

Read was asked to explain the drug court, which would be for people convicted of a first offense for meth or cocaine or a second offense for marijuana. Rather than incarceration, the offender would have supervision, regular retesting and sessions once a week to make sure they are keeping clean. If anyone were found to violate the regulations, they would be immediately put in jail.

Saturday night's forum will take place at the same time and place and will include candidates for state offices.