 the Loyal Washington Candidate Forum. This program is part of a series presented by The Bridge and Orca Media to help voters get to know their candidates better. I'm Keith Gosland. I'm Ann Charles to share their views and to explain why they think they should be elected. Before introducing the two candidates who are with us tonight, I'm briefly going to go over the format. Yes, sit back and relax. We asked the public for questions in advance, and we have used them to help us develop a list of questions for the candidates. We did this along with input from the staff of The Bridge and Orca Media, as well as from your moderators tonight. During this program, we will also take call-in questions. You can call Orca at 802-224-9901. A volunteer will write them down, and then we will have them displayed on the screen in front of us. We will ask as many questions tonight as we can fit in. Candidates were not given the questions in advance. The seven invited are running for the Loyal Washington House seat. This includes Elmore, Morristown, Stowe, Woodbury, and Worcester. This is a two seat district. However, only one of the current incumbents is seeking reelection. Two of the poor candidates on the ballot accepted the invitation to participate in this live form. The other two candidates were extended an invitation to submit a two minute recorded statement regarding their candidacy, but none was received. So enough of us. Let's meet the candidates. In alphabetical order by last name, as you appear on the ballot, Sadia Lamont from Morristown, a Democrat, Worcester, Vermont, formerly of Plainfield, also a Democrat, and Offram is the current incumbent. So welcome, and Sadia, if you would like to start with your opening remarks. I just recently graduated from Emerge, Vermont, in which we had a homework assignment. I interviewed David Maloney, and I asked him, do you think I should run for office? And if so, which seat? Decision, and gave me his blessing. And here we are, and I'm now running to serve as I've been serving in my community-based community. To serve was Jeff Smith, who was speaker at the time. Affairs at this time in the legislature, as people may know, there's a huge turnover of people who have left. I do think that in the legislature, in order to get things done, we need a balance of new people, new ideas, fresh new blood, and people with experience who know how to get things done, who are willing to make compromises as painful as that sometimes can be in order to get things done. And I have come from very strong principles and ideals imbued by my immigrant refugee parents. But I guess I have the temperament to work in the legislature when other people shouldn't try. And we want to start with you, Abram. What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district? If you are elected to the Vermont House, how will you use this role to improve your district? As time allows, how will you maintain contact with members of your district? I think ultimately, and this is a big issue that's devised into many, many parts, but it's really the economy, the ability of people to make a living, to pay for their housing, housing, and rental housing, in particular, all of Lomwell County, not just our district, is really out of bounds right now. That's a statewide issue, but it's particularly hard in Lomwell County right now. And the services that are needed in order for people to do that, including affordable and available childcare. So I think that is really, people are struggling. People want to work, and they can't make it. And there are jobs open everywhere, but people are struggling to make that. So that's the biggest issue. And I'm particularly interested in having some background in the housing issue from work I've done before I was in the legislature. And that's one that I think I can add something to, whether or not I end up on the committee that deals with that issue. Thank you. May you please repeat the question? OK. What do you believe is the most important issue facing your district? If you were elected to the Vermont House, how will you use this role to improve your district? As time allows, how will you maintain contact with members of your district? So I will agree and concur with my dear friend, Auburn, here. And I would agree and say housing is a big issue, is one of the biggest issues in our community. I've been serving on committees around housing for, and currently I'm working in partnership with.