For the past several months, the four candidates running for the Republican nomination for the 59th District seat in the state house have been making their cases to voters as why they’re the right person for the job.

Next week, though, Cass County voters will have a chance to hear those cases in person, at the League of Women Voter’s forum held on Tuesday at the Cass County COA.

As in any race, debates are often the best way to truly get a grasp of a candidate’s stance on important issues, and to see how they react in a situation where they don’t have complete control.

Voters are used to being swarmed with TV advertisements, flyers and testimonials filled with talking points the candidates put together themselves. While they help spread the word about their participation in the race, they are often of little actual substance to voters.

In the case of a debate though, the candidate is no longer playing by his or her established playbook, and one unexpected question can turn their game plan upside down. On the flip side, many dark horses have charged ahead by rolling with the punches and remaining on their feet.

Forums such as this also gives the public a chance to go on the offensive, asking questions that they want answered rather than passively absorbing what the candidates believe they want to hear.

On Tuesday, they’ll get the chance themselves to see if one of these four men are up to the task.

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Craig Haupert, Ambrosia Neldon, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.