election countdownLong Beach voters not yet informed about each candidate vying for various seats in the upcoming April 12 election will have a chance to get educated during a citywide candidates’ forum scheduled for next Wednesday.

All 19 candidates are set to take part in the free event, which will take place March 2 at the Long Beach Public Library Auditorium and start at 5:00PM with a 30-minute reception. The event is scheduled to run until 8:00PM.

“In addition to the candidates having an opportunity to present their positions, it’s equally important that city voters are informed about the candidates and the issues,” said Jeff Williams, director of Leadership Long Beach, which is one of the event’s organizers. Other collaborators include the Long Beach Community Action Partnership, Public Access Digital Network and PalacioMagazine.com.

Participating candidates include:

  • Long Beach City College Trustees District 2: Irma Archuleta (incumbent) and Vivian Williams Malauulu District 4: Doug Otto (incumbent) and Davina M. Keiser
  • Long Beach Unified School District 2: Felton C. Williams (incumbent) and Jessica Vargas-Alvarez District 4: Jon Meyer (incumbent) and Rosi A. Pedersen
  • Long Beach City Council District 2: Joen Garnica, Eric Gray and Jeannine Pearce.
  • District 4: Daryl Supernaw, incumbent who is unopposed but who is invited to make a statement.
  • District 6: Dee Andrews (incumbent who is running as a write-in candidate), Robert Harmon, Erik Miller, Josephine A. Villasenor
  • District 8: Al Austin II (incumbent), Laurie C. Angel, and Wesley Turnbow

During the forum, the audience will see two-minutes interviews candidates were invited to record with PADNET. The interviews and forum will be posted on PADNET’s cable and FIOS channels and website, organizers said.

Questions will be based on suggestions from Leadership Long Beach alumni and from submitted questions by audience members. The event will be moderated by LLB graduate John Glaza.

The library is located at 101 Pacific Avenue, next to the Long Beach City Hall. Parking is available in the city hall garage or on surrounding streets.

To reserve a seat, click here.

Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.