Warning. This will be one of my longer posts. I still won’t be able to get everything in. This was the first forum for all GOP candidates for the 59th Assembly District. I was an “uncomped” member in the audience of the San Gabriel Valley Lincoln Club (part of the 360 member Los Angeles Lincoln Club) monthly member meeting that featured this forum.
Moderating was Assemblyman Bob Huff.
You can read my previous post on the race here and it contains links to all the other posts by Brad Mitzelfelt or me on the topic. Since I last wrote the local CRA units in the area endorsed Barry Hartz.
First off all the candidates were pretty articulate and could make a decent presentation. That was good news.
Hartz, Adams and Slater are clearly conservatives and their answers on questions reflected that.
Slater did say she had three priorities in running illegal immigration, taxes and oh ya…… conservatorship. While that maybe great for the lawyer in the crowd or worries the ingrate grandson going after grandma, it is a little arcane for a district wide mailer.
Kevan Otto does need to brush up on the issues. He ducked the question about supporting Tom McClintock’s proposed amendment on eminent domain. He said he needed to study the issue. Kevan, this is a GOP Primary. If the question is do you support Tom McClintock’s plan to (Fill in the blank) you are safe to say “Yes and I’m proud of it.”
Only Lancaster who has served on a city council talked about the need for reform, but with a caveat about blight.
The Big question and in my and the several people I talked too opinions was the question about Prop. 75 and the Governor’s reform measures on the special election ballot. This question was intended to probe at Otto, a union President.
Hartz, Adams and Slater were all true-blue in their support for 75 and the others. Owen was a No on 75 and said he wouldn’t discuss the others. Surprisingly, Lancaster answered the same way. That did raise some eyebrows, but explains some of his support from ALADS, the LA County Firefighters etc…
Lancaster also differed on the question about deporting “19 year old illegal immigrant who was brought here as a baby, but grew up here.” He was the only one that said no. Earlier he said he wanted to punish businesses that hire illegals. I guess that means his position is the 19 year old can stay, but can’t get a job?
Lancaster also defended his utility tax increase vote in the context of the state “raping” cities for revenue in the 1990’s.
Lancaster was probably hurt the most. He was good on social issues but there are a lot of attack opportunities in a GOP primary after this forum. This is will be a wild one.