Candidates running for local, state and federal offices will gather Thursday in a forum to discuss issues in the upcoming primary election.

The forum, put on by the Taylor County Republican Party, will have 30 candidates on stage at the Hunter Welcome Center.

Dr. Neal Coates, professor of political science, said the forum is a good place to interact with candidates.

“This is really the one and best place to hear more candidates than anywhere else in the next 2-3 weeks,” Coates said.”This is a rich opportunity for students and the public to get a good idea for who candidates are and to ask them questions.”

Coates said he hopes to see students as well as local community members present.

“I would hope that we would have a lot of students come because there will be a number of people from the community there,” Coates said. “Students need to know that their vote counts here just as much.”

The forum will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Hunter Welcome Center and is open to the public. The deadline to register to vote in Taylor County is Monday, Feb. 1.