Five Republican candidates vying for two key Inland Empire state and congressional seats will participate in a November 7 candidate forum with the Redlands Tea Party Patriots.

“Customarily, the Redlands Tea Party Patriots have hosted forums allowing Inland Empire residents access to the Republican and conservative candidates the liberal media ignores,” cabinet member John Berry said. “Despite media bias working against them, two of these candidates will be in the winner’s circle on Election Day.”

The expanded meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the Mill Creek Cattle Co., 1874 Mentone Blvd. in Mentone. The meeting is still expected to conclude by 9 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public. The meeting was expanded so that each seat’s candidates would have an hour on stage as well as allowing time for audience questions.

Tim Donnelly and Jay Obernolte are the two Republican candidates competing for Congressional District 8, an Inland Empire seat that includes Yucaipa. This became an open seat after incumbent Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, decided to run for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Cristina Puraci, Lloyd White and Rosilicie Bogh are competing for California state senate District 23, which spans most of the Inland Empire. That seat is open after incumbent Republican Mike Morrell was termed out of the State Assembly.