Back-to-back political forums kept local candidates hopping Tuesday and gave them opportunities to reach about 200 interested voters with their messages.

Advance voting is under way for the Nov. 6 elections.

How to balance needs with a tight budget was the main focus of questions at the event hosted by the Floyd County Republican Women, as well as at the gathering that was sponsored by the Rome-Floyd County NAACP, 100 Black Men and MLK Commission.

None of the candidates listed raising taxes or fees as an option. All spoke of seeking out efficiencies and innovative solutions. Here’s a look at highlights from some of the contested races:

Floyd County Clerk of Court

Clerk of Court Barbara Penson, a Democrat, is facing a challenge from Republican Mark McAllister, an insurance field representative who retired from the transportation industry in 2007.

McAllister said when the Rome Tea Party sought local candidates, he thought the clerk’s seat would be “a good fit” for him to help the community.

“I have a background in customer service,” he said. “I have a background in thinking outside the box, of doing what it takes to get the job done.”

Penson said she’s modernized a paper-based office in her first term, adding computers and making a lot of documents available online.

“It’s been a journey,” she said. “We’ve had an 8.5-percent overall budget cut and 2.5 frozen positions, but we have not let it slow us down.”

State House, District 12

Republican Eddie Lums­den is challenging incumbent Democrat Barbara Massey Reece for the state House District 12 seat representing all of Chattooga and the western half of Floyd County.

Reece reminded attendees of her 14 years of service, during and outside of the 40-day legislative session, and her work with officials in both parties to advance constituents’ interests.

“I’m in Atlanta and in this district to represent people. I am not there to represent a party,” Reece said. “People are tired of all the polarization on the national level.”

Republican Eddie Lums­den, a former Floyd County commissioner, said his support from elected state officials in his majority party puts him in the best position to get things done.

“Times have changed since Rep. Reece was first elected; … (the district needs) someone who has the ear and confidence of the leadership,” Lumsden said.

Floyd County Commission Post 2

County Commission Post 2 candidate Gary D. Harrell, a Democrat, didn’t appear at either forum. The incumbent, Republican Garry Fricks, has held the seat for the past 12 years.

“I came in here with a passion to serve, to make positive changes,” Fricks said. “Every time I’m up for re-election, I ask myself if I can be effective. There are so many challenges now. I have the experience, and I want to continue helping my community.”

Floyd County Commission Post 3

The County Commission Post 3 challenger, Democrat Richard C. Garrett, didn’t appear at either forum. Irwin Bagwell, the Republican incumbent who chairs the board, promised to continue his platform of fiscal responsibility.

“When I took office in 2009 we cut the budget 5 percent the first year and 1 percent to 2 percent in each of the following years,” Bagwell said. “We managed on less, while still providing the services. That’s what I intend to do the next four years.”

Floyd County School Board District 2

Democrat Everett Ballard is challenging incumbent Republican David Cox for the County Board of Education seat representing the Model and Johnson communities.

Cox had a school board meeting to attend Tuesday night and sent his regrets to the forum sponsors.

Ballard said his experience as a business owner and his part-time work for the schools gives him the background to help improve an already great school system. 

Floyd County General Election Contested Races

Most Floyd County races are down to a single candidate decided in the July 31 primaries. The following seats are contested in the Nov. 6 general election:

U.S. Congress, District 14

(Covers Floyd, Chattooga, Polk, Gordon, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Haralson and Paulding)

Democrat: Daniel “Danny” Grant

Republican: Tom Graves (I)

State House, District 12

(Covers all of Chattooga and western half of Floyd)

Democrat: Barbara Massey Reece (I)

Republican: Eddie Lumsden

Floyd County Clerk of Court

Democrat: Barbara Penson (I)

Republican: Mark McAllister

Floyd County Sheriff

Democrat: Tim Burkhalter (I)

Republican: Cary Cooper

Floyd County Commission Post 2

Democrat: Gary D. Harrell

Republican: Garry E. Fricks (I)

Floyd County Commission Post 3

Democrat: Richard C. Garrett

Republican: Irwin Bagwell (I)

Floyd County School Board District 2

(Model and Johnson communities)

Democrat: Everett Ballard

Republican: David Cox (I)