RISON - The Cleveland County Republican Committee will host a forum for Republican candidates in contested races for local offices. The forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, at Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church, 2230 Hwy. 35 North near Rison. Pastor Mike Goodwin will moderate the forum.Candidates from the Republican primary race for county judge and sheriff will be invited to participate in the forum. The public is invited to attend.Candidates for county judge include Jim Houston of the Rye community, Stephen McClellan of New Edinburg, Rosemary Sinclair of the Staves community and Rickey Spencer of Kingsland.Candidates for sheriff include Vance “Lee” Freeman and Keden Shrum, both of the Rison area, and Brad Young of Rowell.A special sub-committee will prepare a list of five questions for the candidates for each office. The questions will be revealed to the candidates during the forum, not beforehand. Each candidate will answer the same question. Candidates are not allowed to be part of the sub-committee.Britt Talent, editor/publisher of the Herald, will be part of the sub-committee forming the questions. The public is invited to email questions to be considered for the forum: contact@clevelandcountyherald.com or to pat@w5ees.com...
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