The public is invited to attend a political forum this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Warren County Administrative Offices.Candidates running for county executive, sheriff and public defender have been asked to attend.The Southern Standard and WCPI radio are organizing the event which will be held in the main county courtroom.“This is a great opportunity to get to see the candidates face to face and make an informed decision when you head to the polls,” said Standard publisher Patricia Zechman.Early voting is already under way in preparation for Democratic and Republican primaries May 6.Several primaries are shaping up to be hotly contested races, including the Democratic primary for sheriff where Bobby Edwards is challenging incumbent Jackie Matheny, who has held the office for 20 years. The winner of that race will face two independents, Danice Taylor and Doc Smith, in the August general election.For county executive, five Democrats are fighting for the nomination in David Hill, Hackett Lance, Kenneth Rogers, Bob Warren and Herschel Wells Sr. On the Republican side, John Shields and Billy Daniel Orr are on the ballot facing write-in candidate Blaine Wilcher.The public defender race between Dan Bryant and John Partin will be decided in May.Each candidate will be given two minutes to make an opening statement. The Standard has prepared general questions related to each office that will be asked.