If a whole lot of talk is any measure of an election – and it usually is – expect a wild one this year.

Credit the Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Scott County Historical Society with paying close attention.

Between the two organizations, all four of the most interesting local election races will have candidate forums. The first one is next Thursday.

Candidate forums generally differ from debates in that the forum questions usually come from a moderator or audience member. At forums, candidates are urged to talk about themselves moreso than at a debate, during which candidates might argue back and forth.

The chamber is holding its forum for the public to learn about 10 candidates at once – three for Jordan mayor and seven for city councilmember.

Daniel Elke and Pete Ewals are challenging Mayor Ron Jabs.

Councilmembers Sally Schultz and Mike Shaw have filed for re-election, and they will face Thomas V. Boncher, Jonathan Brandtner, Gene Flynn, Karin Shelton, and Tanya Velishek in a race to fill three council seats.

The historical society is hosting forums for the public to learn about two candidates for each of Scott County commissioner’s offices and the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The forums take place:

- for mayor and council, 10 candidates, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Jordan High School auditorium, 600 Sunset Drive;

- for Scott County Commissioner District 2, candidates Chris Olson and Tom Wolf, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Stans Museum, 235 S. Fuller St. in Shakopee;

- and for Minnesota House of Representatives District 35B, candidates Mark Buesgens and Taylor Kristoffe-Jones, 8 p.m. Oct. 2.

They are all free and open to the public.

The historical society’s forums run in conjunction with a new exhibit, "From the Hill to the Valley: A Landscape in Politics."