All nine candidates for Mathews County Board of Supervisors shared the top podium at First Baptist Church on Tuesday night as the Mathews County NAACP held its candidate forum.

Two of the three candidates for school board shared a small table in front of the podium, along with Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Bowen, all of whom are unopposed on the November ballot.

About 30-35 audience members filled the room, submitting questions on index cards that were asked by the evening’s moderator Edith Turner. Following a brief welcome and opening prayer by First Baptist’s pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Waldon, each candidate was given three minutes to introduce themselves.

Then followed the questions, which covered a wide array of issues, from economic development to diversity.

Prospective supervisors were also asked a couple of questions specifically about race—whether they would support a monument on the court green recognizing the county’s slaves in the days before ...