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CASSOPOLIS — Local residents had the opportunity last weekend to ask questions to candidates running for positions in the upcoming general election.

The Cass County Democrats hosted a candidate meet-and-greet Saturday, Sept. 28 at 144 S. Broadway, Cassopolis. Attending were Libbi Urban, Congress 5th District; Erin Schultes, Michigan State House 36; Angela Jones, Michigan State House 37; Kimberly Ann Thomas, Michigan Supreme Court; Minnie Warren, Cass County Commissioner District 1; Lois Koel, Cass County Commissioner District 2; Dr. Jim Wierman, Cass County Commissioner District 5; Leon Gilliam, Lagrange Township Supervisor; Jill Meuninek, Ontwa Township Trustee; Jim Pedersen, President of Cassopolis and Della Bundle, Cassopolis School Board.

According to Cass County Democratic Chair Naomi Ludman, approximately 120 people attended throughout the event.

“It was well-attended,” she said. “We were hoping for 100 people and got 120 people. We filled all the chairs and tables we had.”

Ludman said the goal of the meet-and-greet was to allow community members to meet with candidates and ask questions, as well as emphasize the arrival of absentee ballots.

“The goal was for people to ask questions, talk to candidates, pick up literature and volunteer,” she said. “There were people who had not had the chance to meet Urban. We were able to reach out to people who haven’t met candidates.”

According to Ludman, the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the Democratic ticket has been high.

“The energy level is amazing,” she said. “We have 30-40 people come Saturday morning for Donuts with Democrats, we have more people volunteering than we’ve had in the past. There is a huge level of enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz ticket. We’re working hard on our County Commission Candidates because we think it is important to have better representation. We have a two-party system and right now, we have eight Republican commissioners. We think it is time Democrats are represented on the County Commission and we have a lot of enthusiasm for those races.

“We have a really strong candidate for Congress in Urban. She has a strong union background, she was raised on a farm in southwest Michigan. She understands the issues of this congressional district, in both rural and urban areas.”

For more information, visit casscountydemocrats.org, call the Cass County Democrats Office at (269) 462-9173 or visit the office located at 204 S. Front St., Dowagiac, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday or 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.