The Lake Charles chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction hosted a “Your Voice, Your Vote Town Hall” on Thursday with candidates for the Louisiana District 27 Senate seat. Dustin Granger (D) and Jacob Shaheen (R) were present for the event. Republican candidate Jeremy Stine did not attend.

Bessie Fletcher, event moderator, said the purpose of the town hall was to ensure viewers were “ready to participate in the primary election this Saturday.”

In their opening remarks, both candidates expressed their viewpoint on Louisiana politics and their motivation for running for the seat. Besides the need to prioritize the region’s recovery on a state level, Granger said the possibility of him assuming the Senate seat is important because he’s “the only Democrat on the ballot.”

While he doesn’t consider himself a “far-left” candidate, he does support protecting voting rights, especially in light of upcoming redistricting, insurance reform, economic growth for all areas, criminal justice reform and public education.

“People over profit. That’s my underlying value,” Granger said.