Tim Gabrielson and Dan Vermilyea faced the television camera.

Ray Tucker and Sarah Douty, too.

The four Mower County Commissioner candidates, Districts No. 1 and 2, respectively, participated in their last public candidate forum Wednesday evening on local cable television.

State Rep. District 27B candidates Jeanne Poppe, DFL incumbent, and Brian Thiel, Republican challenger, will have one more this week before the 2008 campaign ends.

The Minnesota League of Women Voters-Austin Chapter hosted the forum in Austin City Council Chambers.

Conflicts with Senator Barack Obama’s nationally-televised infomercial and the final game of the World Series may be blamed for the low attendance: 24 after 29 attended a Tuesday night forum for Austin mayoral and city council candidates.

Still, the LWV volunteers plunged ahead with another effort to increase voter awareness preparatory to the Nov. 4 election.

Three people remained to hear Poppe and Thiel after the county commissioner candidates were featured on the live cable television broadcast.

Tucker touted his experience and defended the current county commissioners’ actions on a variety of issues.

Douty, an Adams Township resident, said “I’m still a county girl at heart” despite her high-profile job as the Austin Main Street Project’s coordinator.

Gabrielson promoted his family values: 25 years of marriage, two children and a grandchild, military and business experiences.

Vermilyea stayed on the attack, saying he wanted more “transparency in county government” and that “too many decisions were made behind closed doors” without the public’s or press’s scrutinization.

A group of Vote “Yes” Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment activities were in attendance, handing out brochures urging passage of the constitutional amendment and asking questions, particularly, of the legislative candidates.

There were no fireworks from Poppe or Thiel, who agreed the state’s huge budget deficit was the major issue looming ahead for the 2009 Minnesota legislative session.

The chairman of the Mower County board, Richard P. Cummings, is not seeking re-election.

That role in 2009 would automatically shift to the District No. 2 commissioner, which could be incumbent Tucker or hopeful Douty.

If Douty were to win the Nov. 4 election, the role of 2009 board chairman would go to 3rd District Commissioner David Hillier to allow the newcomer time to gain experience.

Wednesday night’s forum will be rebroadcast at 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Charter Communications local government access Channel 16.