RAYMOND —State Sen. Jack Barnes, R-District 17, will lead a panel discussion of Republican candidates for New Hampshire House District 3 and Senate District 17 Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. in Raymond.

The event is being hosted by the Raymond Republican Town Committee at Torrent Hall in the Raymond Safety Complex on Old Manchester Road.

An invitation has been extended to five Republican candidates running for three seats in Rockingham District 3, including sitting representatives Kathleen M. Hoelzel and L. Mike Kappler. Franklin C. Bishop, Harry McClard and Kyle Schofield are also running for the seats.

Two Republican candidates have filed for New Hampshire Senate District 17, which Barnes has filled since 2000. He also served in the seat from 1992-1998. He announced in June that he would not be seeking reelection.

Howard Pearl of Loudon and John Reagan of Deerfield will run for the District 17 seat which was re-districted in June by the New Hampshire Legislature. The district now includes the towns of Allenstown, Chichester, Deerfield, Epsom, Loudon, Northwood, Nottingham, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Raymond and Strafford.

During the discussion, each candidate will be asked to offer a brief statement about his or her candidacy, followed by questions asked by audience members.

In addition, a panel discussion led by Barnes will be held with all candidates.

All voters are invited to attend the event, which comes ahead of New Hampshire’s Sept. 11 primary.

gmacalaster@newstote.com