State Senate District 4, Montgomery County judge and Precinct 2 commissioner, and Magnolia ISD school board candidates made their case to local voters during a political forum held at Bear Branch Elementary on April 15.

District 4 state Senate candidates Gordy Bunch, Brandon Creighton, Steve Toth and Michael Galloway opened up the evening with remarks about mobility needs in the area and throughout the state, standardized testing, open carry laws and stances on the Affordable Care Act.

The Senate candidates are running to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, who is not returning for the 2015 legislative session. Williams' term runs through 2016.

Magnolia ISD Board Position 4 candidate Ginger Russell and incumbent Kristi Baker spoke on mitigation of population growth within the district and weighed in on standardized testing.

Baker said she aims to build on her eight years serving the school district, while Russell said she hopes to bring a new perspective to the board.

Montgomery County judge runoff election candidates Mark Bosma and Craig Doyal spoke about mobility and utility needs in the face of rapid population growth, along with debt concerns and the county's tax abatement program.

The county judge candidates are vying to replace Alan Sadler, who has served as county judge since 1990. The winner of the runoff election will run unopposed in the November general election, as there is no Democratic Party challenger.

Montgomery County Precinct 2 candidate Charlie Riley had the stage to himself as the evening drew to a close, as runoff opponent Rob Harmon was not present at the forum.

Riley spoke about mobility needs, the benefits a Lone Star College satellite campus would bring to Magnolia, and the need for a detention facility in the area for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

The Texas Senate and the Magnolia ISD school board election will be held May 10, while the Montgomery County runoff election will be held May 27.