At least 11 forums on tap for state candidates

? At least 11 candidate forums before the Nov. 7 general election will feature Democratic and Republican candidates for governor, lieutenant governor or attorney general.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has committed to four appearances with her GOP challenger, Sen. Jim Barnett, and a fifth forum is planned for their running mates.

Organizers of six forums for the attorney general’s race have received commitments from both Republican incumbent Phill Kline and Democratic challenger Paul Morrison.

Barnett and Kline have said they would like to have more forums and already have placed additional events on their schedules. Sebelius and Morrison aren’t ruling others out.

The gubernatorial forums are Sept. 9 at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson; Oct. 11 in Lake Quivira; Oct. 23 in Wichita and Oct. 28 from the studios of KSNT-TV in Topeka.

Barnett has signed on for four other events.

Both Kline and Morrison have committed to a forum Sept. 9 during a meeting of the state’s Associated Press Managing Editors in Lawrence. Both also have signed on for forums Sept. 14 at Wichita State University, Sept. 24 at Johnson County Community College, Oct. 10 and Oct. 20 in Wichita and Oct. 24 at the Harrah’s casino north of Topeka.

Kline has committed to another four events.