"You can't have good law enforcement without the people and the sheriff working together." Huron County Sheriff candidate Gene Bucholtz

The first speaker on the night was Michael J. Kelly, a candidate for the Court of Appeals. "It is the most invisible race on the ballot," he joked.

Kelly explained that he has received more than 40 endorsements during this campaign and believes he has the most trial experience amongst the candidates, noting he once argued an appeal in front of the Supreme Court. "It is important to have judges that have practiced law," he explained, pointing out he has tried more than 100 cases throughout the state.

He was followed by a pair of Democratic nominees for the position of Huron County Sheriff as Gene Bucholtz and Don Koglin spoke with those in attendance.

Bucholtz began by explaining one of his top priorities is to establish a better relationship with the youth in the community. "We have to be on their side to get them on our side," he explained. "You can't have good law enforcement without the people and the sheriff working together."

He added that he would work with his officers so they took the time to explain to young drivers what they did wrong instead of just automatically writing them up, which he thinks will cause the young drivers to respect the officers. "Tickets aren't the entire answer," he said.

Bucholtz also explained he would work to get more full time officers and not so many part-time officers, because part time officers have a harder time following up on cases due to their schedule.

Koglin had a similar perspective on many aspects including building a better relationship between the youth and the officers. He also expressed the need for a youth farm in the area, where local kids could find their way through hard work and create self-pride at the same time.

Win or lose, Koglin is happy that Bucholtz or himself will make it to the general election and hopes the winner ends up with the position. "I'm glad to have Gene as an opponent," he said. "I consider him a great opponent and a great friend."

Later in the evening, Circuit Court Judge M. Richard Knoblock explained why he thought voters should re-elect him to the bench. He noted his experience includes being selected as one of Michigan's "Most Respected Judges" in 199, and being a member of the Judicial Tenure committee.

Knoblock explained he was the first Circuit Court judge to preside over only Huron County (previously judges presided over both Huron and Sanilac counties) and has been re-elected four times since then. "(If re-elected) I'll continue serving you as I have in the past," he said.

His opponent, Walter Salens, took the podium later in the evening. Salens is an attorney with 20 years experience, 15 of which have been while practicing in Huron County.

He also noted his experience includes criminal and civil work, as well as representing townships and villages in Huron and Sanilac.

Salens, who has been president of the Bad Axe school board for four years, said, "(The people in Huron County) deserve to have a choice."

The night ended with remarks from Robert Denison, who is facing off with Candice Miller in the race for the 10th District Congressional seat. In answering the question as to why he choice to speak last, rather than first when given the opportunity, he said, "A good representative has to stay around to hear the problems of the people he represents."

He added that while there was some discussion of part-time deputies earlier, no one has talked about the "part-time president for the last eight years...and I hear no indignation."

Denison added that Miller has supported Bush "98 percent of the time" and pointed out that she was censured as a freshman for threatening a fellow congressman.

"We aren't going to raise taxes, we are going to end a war that is costing billions of dollars each month," he said. "We can change the course of this nation."

Other candidates who spoke at the event included State Rep. Terry Brown (D-Pigeon); District Court Judge David Herrington; County Commissioner candidates Bill Lackowski, John Horny, Ted Maule and Joshua Roggenbuck, as well as Michigan Supreme Court candidate Debbie Thomas. Mary Andreski (Port Austin Township Treasurer), Darcie Finan (PA Township Supervisor) Dom Demaggio (PA Township Supervisor) Maureen Corrion (Winsor Township Clerk) and Clay Kelterborn (Lake Township Supervisor) also addressed those in attendance, while Lake Township Clerk candidate Val McCallum was present, but chose not to speak.