Gwinnett DA, sheriff candidates to participate in online forum

District Attorney Danny Porter is seeking reelection. Two Democratic candidates seeking to replace him will participate in an online forum Thursday. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com AJC FILE PHOTO

District Attorney Danny Porter is seeking reelection. Two Democratic candidates seeking to replace him will participate in an online forum Thursday. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com AJC FILE PHOTO

The coronavirus pandemic has stopped typical campaigning, but some Gwinnett County candidates have found a way to reach voters anyway.

Democratic candidates for sheriff and district attorney will hold a virtual forum on Facebook Thursday. The candidates will focus on criminal and immigrant justice issues and discuss their platforms.

It'll be hosted by community organizations that advocate for criminal justice reform. The groups have spoken out against the county's participation in 287(g), a federal immigration enforcement program, and other topics.

District Attorney candidates Patsy Austin-Gaston and Wesley Person will participate. They’re both running against Republican Danny Porter, who is seeking reelection.

For the sheriff’s race, Curtis Clemmons, Ben Haynes, Keybo Taylor and Floyd Scott will participate. Sheriff Butch Conway decided not to seek reelection. In addition to the four Democrats, two Republicans are seeking to replace him.

The forum will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. For the Facebook Live event, see https://www.facebook.com/asianaaf.

The forum is organized by the Asian-American Advocacy Fund, the New Georgia Project Action Fund and other advocacy groups. Residents can submit questions for the candidates in the RSVP form on the event's site at https://www.facebook.com/events/488581465176537/.