Local candidates and their supporters filled the Retro Cinema theater Friday night for a forum before the November election. Dozens of Wilkes County voters took the opportunity to hear from their local candidates at a forum Friday night, hearing from most of the candidates for Wilkes County sheriff, probate judge, and magistrate judge.

Richard and Dana Kibbey, owners of Retro Cinema and Books, hosted the forum Friday night that filled the cinema's theater with candidates, families, and friends. "We're very pleased with the turnout," Dana said.

Candidates attending included Mark Moore and Jeff Johnson, running for sheriff; Rosa Lee Martin, incumbent candidate for magistrate judge; and probate judge candidates Tammy Thornton Bryngleson, Jill Rogers, Thomas Charping, Rod Canterbury, Kimberly Rainey, Deborah Davis, and Jerry Thornton.

Richard Kibbey announced each candidate, and allowed each one 12 minutes to present their qualifications, their purpose for seeking office, and their positions on relevant issues. After their presentations, candidates took questions from the audience.

Following the local candidates' forum, Retro Cinema televised the first U.S. Presidential Debate.