VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Democratic Party will hold its annual barbecue at 6 p.m., Thursday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 306 N. St. Augustine Road.

Featured speakers will include the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate — Dale Cardwell, Vernon Jones, Rand Knight, Josh Lanier and Jim Martin.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss in the General Election in November.

Keynote speaker will be Jane Kidd, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. The theme of her talk is “Ticket to Victory!”

She will also present the Speaker Thomas B. Murphy Lifetime Achievement Award to Senator Tim Golden, Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Also speaking will be Bill Gillespie, Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District, running against incumbent Republican Jack Kingston.

Democratic incumbent Sanford Bishop represents the 2nd Congressional District. Voters in the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts are invited to attend the barbecue.

The 1st Congressional District covers the southeastern portion of Georgia from Valdosta to Savannah.

The 2nd Congressional District covers the southwestern portion of the Georgia from Valdosta to Columbus.

Also participating in the event are the Democratic candidates for the Public Service Commission, Bob Indech and Jim Powell, as well as many Democratic public officials and candidates for office in Lowndes County. Citizens will have an opportunity to mingle with all the candidates from 6 - 7 p.m.

Music for the event will be furnished by the very popular local group Skannyardle.

For further information, contact the Lowndes County Democratic Party Headquarters, 229-241-1694 or Dennis Marks, by phone 229-244-5159 (home) or 229-630-8486 (cell) or by email at lowndesdems@bellsouth.net.

• Where and when

What: Lowndes County