Local names of the ballot appeared Thursday night to meet with the public.

It was a meeting of both sides of the aisle Thursday night, as both Democrats and Republicans held their Meet The Candidates night.

Not only were both events held the same night, but on the same floor of the Parkersburg Municipal building.

The Wood County Republican Executive Committee started at 6, with state and local candidates.

Executive Director Walt Auvil (D) states, "Well, it's for the voters to be able to meet the candidates one on one, ask questions directly, and evaluate them...NOT through any intermediary, but face to face."

Executive Director Beverley Lockhart (R) says, "Tonight we're going to have a reception when the public could have come and spoken with the people, which I think is much more important than the two to three minutes that I gave them to speak tonight."

At 7 p.m., the Democratic Executive Committee welcomed their candidates for State Supreme court Judgeship and local candidates as well.

The Republican Women's group served refreshments outside council chambers in the lobby.

Both groups attracted about four dozen supporters.