The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will host a round of political debates this week, less than a month before the 2026 general election.
The chamber announced last week it would host candidate debates at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub at the Gibson House in downtown Centralia on Thursday, Oct. 8, beginning at 11:30 a.m., with doors opening 30 minutes prior.
The event has become a mainstay of local political theater, with the chamber hosting debates annually to invite candidates running for local office — from city council to county commission — to share their views and platforms.
The event will feature head-to-head debates between the finalists for five countrywide offices: Lewis County sheriff, District 3 Lewis County commissioner, coroner, auditor and Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) commissioner for District 1.
For sheriff, Lewis County Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase and former Centralia Police Sgt. Tracy Murphy will face off.
For commissioner, incumbent Scott Brummer will go head-to-head with Lewis County PUD District 3 Commissioner Micheal Hadaller.
For coroner, incumbent Coroner Warren McLeod will debate challenger Jessica Stickley. For auditor, Mitchell Merrill will face Mitch Townsend.
Finally, the two candidates for Lewis County PUD Commissioner, Steve Grega and Jeff Baine, will debate.
The debates will be livestreamed on the chamber’s Facebook page. Look for reporting on the event in the weekend edition of The Chronicle.
