Got some questions for your gubernatorial candidates? Now is your chance to have them answered.

Both Republican Haley Barbour and Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove will be in town this week for public campaign events. The candidates, who have spent the past few debates jousting at each other over how they are running this race, will be able to speak about issues, about the future of the state, and, most important for us, about Southwest Mississippi.

Barbour will be in Natchez for a fish fry at 5:30 p.m. today at the Ramada.

Musgrove’s event is scheduled for Friday, although campaign staff was not sure yet where it would be held.

This is a great opportunity for local voters to meet these men to help them determine who to vote for.

Often these campaign events amount to a pep rally for the candidates, which is fine. But they should also be an opportunity for undecided voters to take a look at the people running and make a choice about which person is best for the state.

We encourage voters to attend both events, armed with their questions and comments.

We especially want to know what Musgrove and Barbour will do to help Southwest Mississippi, the area of the state most hard hit by the loss of manufacturing jobs and the slow economy.

This is a perfect time to ask those questions &045; and to make your decision based upon the answers you hear.