Axton church to host election forum

A group of Axton churches will hold a political forum tonight to better inform voters about the top races in the November election.

The Rev. Tyler Millner, pastor of Morning Star Holy Church, said people will speak for former Gov. Mark Warner, who is a U.S. Senate candidate, and congressional candidate Tom Perriello. U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode will not be able to attend because of Congress being in session, Millner said, adding former Gov. Jim Gilmore, who is running against Warner, has not said if he will be represented at the forum.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m., and the church is located at 2839 Stoney Mountain Road.

“The forum sponsored annually by Morning Star Outreach Committee has been — due to the historic nature of the 2008 presidential election — expanded, reaching out to involve representation across Southside,” Millner said.

Michael Strautmanis, deputy chief of staff for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, will headline the event.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign has not said whether it will have a representative at the forum, Millner said.

The forum will include a question and answer session after the speeches from the candidates’ representatives. 

“It is valuable to having better government that the candidates come home to where citizens live, worship and share with their neighbors,” Millner said. “It is equally valuable that the vote be an informed vote.”

Other congregations sponsoring tonight’s forum include Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Christ Temple United Holy Church and Jerusalem Christian Church.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.