In Richmond, a mayoral candidate forum featured candidates Andreas Addison, Danny Avula, Michelle Mosby, Harrison Roday, and Maurice Neblett, who addressed key community issues and engaged with the audience at the Third Street Bethel AME Church. Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, candidates for City Council discussed education, crime, and public perception at a forum where nine of the eleven candidates participated, emphasizing the need for improved relationships between the City Council and School Board. Candidates highlighted the importance of fully funding education and enhancing public safety, with remarks from incumbent De’Andre A. Barnes and candidate Kitty Bryant on the challenges of crime. In McAlester, three of four mayoral candidates participated in a forum at Eastern Oklahoma State College, discussing various topics, while one candidate declined to attend. These forums are critical as elections approach, with Portsmouth's City Council election set for November 5 and McAlester's Primary Election on August 27.