City candidates to participate in upcoming forums

More than 20 candidates for Chattanooga's upcoming mayoral and City Council elections are expected to participate in a forum tonight, hosted by the Chattanooga Women's Leadership Institute at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga University Center. 

The forum, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Participating candidates for the nine seats on City Council will be given the chance to share their platforms first, followed by a forum for mayoral candidates at 6:30. 

Among the forum's participants is mayoral candidate former state Sen. Andy Berke, who announced his participation as one of the first events at which he will appear alongside opponents in the race. Other candidates in the mayor's race include Guy Satterfield and Chester Heathington Jr.

Tonight is not the only opportunity voters will get to hear from candidates who will be on the ballot for the March 5 election.

On Feb. 5, candidates for District 1 and 2 will participate in a forum hosted by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's North Chattanooga Council at 11:30 a.m. at the INCubator on Cherokee Boulevard; and on Feb. 8, candidates will participate in a North Brainerd Neighborhood Association forum at the Eastdale Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m.

Updated @ 1:44 p.m. on 1/30/13 for clarity.