Aiken, October 1, 2025
News Summary
The Aiken City Council candidate forum will be held on October 16, 2025, at South Aiken High School. This free event, moderated by Aiken Standard’s John Boyette, invites community members to engage directly with candidates ahead of the upcoming general election. The forum will include equal response time for candidates and a Q&A format, allowing for community involvement without the need for RSVPs. Early voting begins shortly after the forum, further encouraging civic participation.
Aiken
The Aiken City Council candidate forum will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at South Aiken High School, located at 232 East Pine Log Road, Aiken. The event is hosted by the Aiken Standard and will be free to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet-and-greet with candidates, while the program is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
John Boyette, Executive Editor of the Aiken Standard, will moderate the forum. Several candidates have been invited to participate, including Lessie Price, a Democratic incumbent for District 2, Jacob Ellis, a Democrat for District 4, Pete Messina, a Republican for District 4, Kent Cubbage, a Republican for District 5, Braylen Waldo, a Democrat for District 5, Barbara Morgan, a Republican for District 6, and Lisa Smith, a Democrat for District 6.
The forum will utilize a Q&A format, allowing candidates to answer the same questions consecutively. Each will be allotted equal time for their responses, and no rebuttals will be permitted. Additionally, candidates will be given time for opening and closing statements to express their views and platform to the audience.
The community is encouraged to participate, with no tickets or RSVPs required for attendance. As the general election approaches, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, community members have the opportunity to engage with their potential elected officials directly.
Early voting for the general election will begin on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., and will conclude on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. In-person early voting locations in Aiken County will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, specifically at the Ronnie Young Aiken County Government Center, located at 1930 University Parkway.
Community members interested in posing questions to the candidates can submit them via email at [email protected].
FAQ
When is the Aiken City Council candidate forum?
The Aiken City Council candidate forum will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Where will the forum be held?
The forum will be held at South Aiken High School, located at 232 East Pine Log Road, Aiken.
What time does the forum start?
The program starts at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
How can community members submit questions for the candidates?
Community members can submit questions for candidates via email at [email protected].
When does early voting begin for the general election?
Early voting for the general election starts on Monday, October 20, 2025.
Key Features of 2025 Aiken City Council Candidate Forum
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | October 16, 2025 |
| Location | South Aiken High School, 232 East Pine Log Road, Aiken |
| Start Time | 6:00 p.m. |
| Doors Open | 5:30 p.m. |
| Moderator | John Boyette |
| Participating Candidates | Lessie Price, Jacob Ellis, Pete Messina, Kent Cubbage, Braylen Waldo, Barbara Morgan, Lisa Smith |
| Format | Q&A with opening and closing statements |
| No RSVP Required | Open to the public |
| Early Voting Start Date | October 20, 2025 |
| Early Voting End Date | October 31, 2025 |
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Additional Resources
- Aiken Standard: Aiken City Council Election Political Forum
- WRDW: City Aiken Hosts Public Forum to Discuss Tiny Home Project Plan
- Tuscaloosa News: Northport Candidates Forum Hosted by League of Women Voters
- WVUA: Northport Municipal Election Roundup – All Candidate Q&As
- News-Leader: Springfield MO Area Local Elections 2025 Voter Guide
- Wikipedia: Elections in the United States
- Google Search: 2025 Local Elections
- Google Scholar: Local Election Forums
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election Forum
- Google News: Candidate Forums
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
