Their signs have been up for weeks but tonight the candidates themselves meet face to face in a “town hall” debate at 7 p.m. at the Chickasha Best Western Inn.

Five of the seven candidates that are running for Grady County Sheriff are expected to participate in the debate that organizers say will be non-partisan and informational.

Kim Wilson, one of the debate’s organizers, said Ron Reynolds and Howard Arterberry were the only candidates to not accept an invitation to attend.

The debate will be moderated by Bob Martin, and can be heard on Kool 105.5-FM and Chickasha's cable channel 3. A comprehensive report of the event will be found in the Wednesday Express-Star.

Wilson said the debate will take place in the hotel’s atrium. She said Martin will feed the candidates questions from a pre-determined list and the audience would be able to submit questions for consideration as well, time permitting.

For more information, call 405-779-3126.

Incumbent Sheriff Kieran McMullen has drawn six opponents in his bid for re-election. He first must face fellow Republicans Art Kell and Thom Klenieski in a Tuesday, July 29 primary.

Facing off in the Democratic primary will be Reynolds, Guy Huggins, Austin Green and Arterberry.

If either primary requires a runoff, it will be on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.