Several candidates carried on spirited debates during Monday night’s forum at First Baptist Church in Mathews, sponsored by the NAACP.

The only limitation set on the discourse was three minutes for introductory remarks. After that, it was anything goes. Audience members weren’t constrained to submitting written questions, as they had been in previous forums. Instead, they were given a microphone and asked to introduce themselves.

Some in the audience asked questions, while others used their microphone time to air grievances or advise candidates. Although the NAACP is a primarily African-American organization, most audience members were white, and a number of them had been to several forums already. All candidates for office in Mathews were present, except for those running for the uncontested Soil and Water Conservation District seats.

In the race for commonwealth’s attorney, challenger Tom Bowen used his opening statement once again to charge that incumbent J...