By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—The May 6 State House District 73 candidates forum at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena has been canceled in a unanimous decision by sponsoring institutions, Shelby County Newspapers Inc, the Shelby County Republican Party and the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

One of the two candidates for the new State House District 73 seat had a conflicting engagement he “did not want to re-schedule,” President and CEO of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Kirk Mancer said in an email.

“Since this race only features two candidates, the unanimous decision between the Shelby County Reporter, the Shelby County Republican Party and the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Work Group was to cancel—and not re-schedule,” Mancer said.

House District 73, a new seat this election cycle, was created when state leaders redrew House of Representative district lines due to significant recent population growth in Shelby County. Between 2000 and 2010, the county’s population increased by more than 35 percent, and the 2012 census listed Shelby County population at 200,941.

The new House District 73 and House District 43 are the only two districts that are contained entirely within Shelby County, thus ensuring the House District 73 elected representative will be a Shelby County resident.

Montevallo resident Matt Fridy and Helena resident Jody Trautwein are the two candidates for the State House District 73 seat.

The May 6 State House District 73 forum was to be the first in a series of five candidates’ forums sponsored by Shelby County Newspapers Inc, the Shelby County Republican Party and the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce.

The remaining candidates forums are the U.S. Congressional 6th District on May 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center, State Senate District 11 on May 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shelby County High School’s auditorium, Shelby County Sheriff on May 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena and State House District 43 on May 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church.