Candidates seeking the District 14 Senate seat fielded questions in an open forum hosted by the Jasper County League of Women Voters and moderated by president Bonnie Pitz on Monday night at Newton City Hall.

Republican candidate Amy Sinclair and Democratic candidate Dick Schrad expressed their views on issues ranging from gun control to environmental regulations in the final stretch of two campaigns ending in next week’s election.

Although former Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley lives in the newly-created District 14, which encompasses the southern portion of Jasper County including Lynnville, Sully and Monroe, he is not seeking re-election, thus leaving the seat open for the taking by either Sinclair or Schrad.