The public will have an opportunity to hear and meet 10 state and local candidates at a rally hosted by Moore County Democrats Saturday, Aug. 9.

The Moore County Democra-tic Party has teamed up with the Democratic Women of Moore County to sponsor a Meet the Candidates Rally showcasing local and state candidates.

Dusty Rhoades, local attorney, author and humor columnist for The Pilot, will be master of ceremonies for the rally, which will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. in the Pinecrest High School cafeteria.

State Sen. Kay Hagan, who is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, is among the top candidates coming for the rally. A Guilford County Democrat, she is serving her fifth term in the state Senate.

Teresa Sue Bratton, Democra-tic nominee for the District 6 congressional seat, has likewise accepted the Moore County invitation. A physician, she is challenging veteran Republican Congressman Howard Coble.

Betty Mangum, of Pinehurst, will also participate. She is running against Republican Jamie Boles for the District 52 seat in the N.C. House of Represent-atives. A retired educator with more than 30 years' experience in education, Mangum served four years on the Wake County Board of Commissioners before she and her husband moved to Moore County.

Others who accepted the invitation to participate in the rally include Beth Wood, state auditor; Sam J. Ervin IV, Judge Linda Stephens, and Judge Cheri L. Beasley, all candidates for the state Court of Appeals; Wayne Goodwin, state insurance commissioner; Abraham Oudeh, N.C. Senate District 22; and Tony Berk, Moore County district attorney.

All candidates will be allotted time to speak, according to a local Democratic Party spokes-person. It is expected that representatives of other state candidates will likewise attend the rally.

Tickets for the rally cost $10 and include a barbecue dinner.