First Alexandria mayoral debate hosted by Young Professionals Group

Alexandria's three mayoral candidates, Jeff Hall, Kay Michiels, and Catherine Davidson, got the chance to go head-to-head Tuesday night at the race's first mayoral debate.

The Young Professionals Group of Cenla put on the debate presented by Cenla Broadcasting. The goal was to give community members the opportunity to gain some insight on the candidates' views on issues that could affect the Alexandria area.

Three media panelists selected their own questions for the candidates, Babs Zimmerman of KLAX 31, Jeff Matthews of The Town Talk, and KALB's very own Sherman Desselle.

Residents were also given the chance to speak directly with the candidates by submitting their own YPG-approved questions.

Alexandria hasn't elected a mayor in over a decade, so the YPG is making sure people know what they're voting for.

"This is a big year. The first new mayor in the last twelve years, so that means a lot of things are changing,” said Bowen Lancaster of YPG. “A lot of different policies a lot of different platforms that you normally don’t get when you have the previous incumbent in this position. So, we wanted to make sure everybody could come in and kind of learn about the candidates that they're going to be voting for and really make an informed decision."

That election will be held on November 6.