2:00pm | The Long Beach Press Club announced today that they will schedule seven public debates between candidates that are running for local offices in this April’s election. The debates will include candidates running for all open City Council positions, as well as candidates for the offices of City Prosecutor and City Attorney.
The debates are all open to the public and will be held within the jurisdiction of the open office. Members of the public will be allowed to submit written questions to the moderators. The schedule for the public debates is below. All debates begin at 7:00pm.
Monday 02/22 – 7th District debate at Puka Bar, 710 W. Willow.
Wednesday 03/03 – 9th District debate at El Ranchito, 5345 Long Beach Blvd.
Monday 03/08 – City Attorney debate at The Gaslamp, 6251 E. PCH.
Monday 03/15 – City Prosecutor debate at Smooth’s, 144 Pine Ave.
Monday 03/22 – 3rd District debate at The Gaslamp, 6251 E. PCH.
Monday, 03/29 – 5th District debate at Eldorado Restaurant, 3014 Studebaker Drive
A debate between Mayor Bob Foster and challenger Stevie Merino is pending and has not yet been officially organized. In the absence of a debate, Merino will hold a press conference. City Auditor Laura Doud is running unopposed.
The Long Beach Press Club is a local organization comprised of Long Beach writers and journalists that cover the city. Members of the Long Beach Press Club will moderate the guide the debates. Personally, I will be involved in the debate for the 5th District Council race and possibly others. The lbpost.com is proud to contribute to the local journalism organization.
The organization is headed by The District Weekly senior writer Dave Wielenga.
“By locating the debates in local hotspots—where attendees can eat and drink and socialize—the Long Beach Press Club hopes to make it easier and more enjoyable for people to prepare themselves for casting their valuable votes on Election Day,” he said.
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