With the holidays behind us and the gubernatorial primary fast approaching, the Democratic candidates vying to oppose Tom Corbett in November are preparing for a forum circuit.

Candidates will have the opportunity express where they stand on current issues and how they plan to right the wrongs of the Corbett administration. The forums are spread throughout the state.

1/13 LWV at Drexel in Philly

“Sustainability: A Gubernatorial Forum” invited all of the eight candidates vying for the Democratic nomination as well as current governor, Tom Corbett. The forum will deal with issues surrounding sustainability and how it affects the economy, the environment, energy efficiency, and public health.

The forum is free and open to the public and is presented by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and its partners. Dave Davies, senior government and politics reporter for WHYY, Greater Philadelphia’s leading public media provider, will moderate the forum. To register for the event, go to sustgovforum.eventbrite.com. The forum begins at 6 p.m.

1/22 Lehigh University in Bethlehem

Six of the eight democratic candidates have RSVPed, with Allyson Shwartz and Rob McCord yet to commit to the forum, hosted by the Lehigh County Democrats.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in Lehigh University’s Iacocca Hall. To submit questions, call (610) 573-8790 or email barjohnston@gmail.com.

1/23 Crosstown Coalition in Philadelphia (tentative)

Crosstown Coalition is an advocacy, specializing in property tax reform and transparent government in Philadelphia.

1/24 PA Association of Justice in Harrisburg

Six of the eight democratic Democratic candidates will meet at the Harrisburg Hilton to discuss issues of civil justice.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. To RSVP, email Nicole@Pajustice.org or call (215) 546-6451, extension 103.

1/26 14th Ward Democrats in Pittsburgh

All eight of the Democratic candidates will be present for a debate held in the McConomy Auditorium on Carnegie-Mellon’s campus in Pittsburgh. Sponsored by the 14th Ward Democratic Committee, the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club, the Shadyside Democrats, and the CMU Democrats. The event is open to the public and will begin at 2 p.m.

This is a crucial public event for the candidates. All those running for the Democratic nomination are from Eastern portions of the state, and support from Pennsylvania’s second largest city could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the primary.

Governor Corbett resides in Shaler, a suburb outside of Pittsburgh. He is a well known — if not always adored — politician amongst Western Pennsylvania voters.

2/4 Philadelphia Business Journal in Philadelphia

“Growing the Economy in Pennsylvania” will have the Democratic candidates discussing issues facing economic development, job creation and much more. Six of the candidates have confirmed that they will be attending, with Tom Wolf and Max Myers yet to decide.

The event is sponsored by Philadelphia Business Journal and WHYY, and only subscribers to the PBJ and members of WHYY are eligible to attend. The forum will take place at  Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons and will begin 8:30 a.m.

2/7 State Committee Women’s Caucus in Hershey

The PA Democratic State Committee Women’s Caucus will host this event. More details are not yet available.

2/20 Pitt-Greensburg Democrats in Greensburg

This debate is hosted by The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Democrats. The event will take place 7pm in the Chambers Hall Gymnasium

2/28, PA Progressive Summit

The PA Progressive Summit will feature a debate between the eight Democratic candidates at Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg.

Tickets for the event are $20 and the forum begins at 6 p.m.

3/1, PA Progressive Summit – Lieutenant Governor Debate

Brad Koplinski, Mark Smith, Brenda Alton and Mike Stack will face questions from an audience made up of progressive activists and leaders from across the state.  (Candidates listed in order of confirmation of attendance.)

All other potential and declared candidates were invited to participate but have not yet responded.

The debate will be held on March 1, 2014 at 12:00 PM at the Hilton Harrisburg.  It is expected that one thousand progressive leaders and activists will be in attendance at the Summit.

4/7 Philly Tech Week 

This forum is planned to focus on the Innovation Economy.: “The Innovation Economy in Pennsylvania a Democratic gubernatorial primary debate on technology, culture and creativity in the Commonwealth.” Cohosting is the Free Library of Philadelphia, Technically Philly, Young Involved Philadelphia and WHYY. The forum will start at 6:00pm.

State Treasurer Rob McCord is confirmed, and other candidates have been invited.

4/11 AAUWPA in Gettysburg

American Association of University Women will host a gubernatorial forum as a part of their annual meeting in Gettysburg at the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel.

4/23 or 4/30 (Tentative) Committee of 70 in Philadelphia

Committee of 70 is nonpartisan group that supports clean, effective and transparent government in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas.

5/12 Philadelphia City Democrats & Drexel Dems

The televised debate will be held on Drexel’s campus May 12. Veteran journalist Larry Kane is scheduled to moderate the exchange, which will be available to all TV stations in Pennsylvania via satellite.

The candidates appearing here include the current poll leader, U.S. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, State Treasurer Rob McCord, two former Department of Environmental Protection Secretaries Katie McGinty and John Hanger, minister Max Myers, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Tom Wolf and Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz.