Candidates for state and county office will make their pitches to voters tonight in two separate forums.

The Warren County Republican Committee is holding a forum and fundraiser at the Vicksburg Auditorium, while about two blocks to the east, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is having a candidate forum at the Warren County Courthouse in the circuit courtroom on the building’s second floor.

The Republican forum runs from 5 to 8 p.m. with a “mix and mingle,” from 5 to 6 p.m. to give voters a chance to meet the candidates and ask them questions.

“The candidates will be there, and everybody can come and greet them,” county Republican Party chairman Eric Biedenharn said. “About 6, we’ll give each candidate about 3 or 4 minutes to speak, starting with the highest candidate and work down.”

He said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney other state candidates as well as local candidates are expected to attend the event, adding Gov. Phil Bryant, who was scheduled to attend, will not be at the forum because of a conflict.

Besides the forum, Biedenharn said the party will hold a drawing, with the winner getting a choice of $500, a shotgun or a flat screen TV.

The Delta Sigma Theta forum starts at 6 p.m.

“We will have state and local Democratic candidates and independents for all county offices — Board of Supervisors, tax assessor, tax collector and other local elected offices,” sorority member Gertrude Young said. “Anyone who is not at the other forum will be with us.”

Among the independent candidates attending will be Sheriff Martin Pace and his Democratic Party opponent, Lionel Johnson.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Warren County NAACP and Blacks in Government.