The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the usual routine for campaigns during an election year, and instead of gathering in a high school gym or eating establishment, voters can hear directly from candidates without leaving their homes.

The five candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Joni Ernst are participating in a virtual rural forum this Sunday. This online event is being hosted by the Southwest Iowa Democrats and will feature candidates Cal Woods, Theresa Greenfield, Mike Franken, Kimberly Graham, and Eddie Mauro. Guthrie County Democratic Chair Kathy Miller says she misses attending in-person political events, but encourages voters to seek other ways to educate themselves ahead of the June 2nd primary, “We get really spoiled in Iowa, we expect to know our candidates, but it’s really important because the Senate race is very critical and selecting a candidate to select the Democratic party in Iowa is very important. So I take my responsibility in tuning in so that I have all the information to make the best decision that I can make.”

The moderated forum focused on rural issues will take place on the Zoom application and a link to register is included here. For the Republican ballot, Ernst is running unopposed for the party nomination in the primary election.