Eight candidates for the 53rd Assembly District seat currently held by Democrat Ted Lieu came together at Loyola Marymount University this week to discuss their platforms and why voters should send them to Sacramento.
The event, sponsored by the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce, was moderated by Fernando Guerra, professor of political science and Chicano Studies, and director of the Thomas & Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles.
“This forum provided attendees with the rare opportunity to see the candidates interact and talk about what they think they can do to help resolve the seemingly intractable issues facing the state,” Guerra said.
Candidates present at the event included Betsy Butler, the director of development for the Consumer Attorneys of California; small business owner Lisa Green; prosecutor Nick Karno; nonprofit administrator James Lau; congressional field representative Edgar Saenz; attorney and community activist Peter Thottam; National University adjunct professor Diane Wallace; and Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward.
The 53rd Assembly District includes El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Marina Del Rey, and portions of the City of Los Angeles. Lieu, the current assembly member, will be termed out at the end of 2010 and is currently running for California Attorney General.
Voters will weigh in on the candidates in the gubernatorial primary this June, and the November general election.