(May 30, 2007 -- updated, includes Q & A) -- On May 29, LB voters had their first opportunity to hear and question candidates seeking to represent 80% of LB in Congress, delivering their messages in a venue used for political discussions since the days of Ben Franklin: a local tavern.
Roughly 100 people filled LB's Gallagher's Pub for this month's "Beer & Politics" event, a series incubated by LB's Junior Chamber of Commerce.
LBReport.com was on scene and provides extended event coverage -- with audio -- letting countless voters far beyond the room hear what was said. This was a genuine, independently organized forum -- not a one-party promotional event. It included seven Dems and one Republican with candidate presentations and unfiltered audience Q & A.
LBReport.com provides the candidates' affirmative statements in extended audio form below. Salient portions of Q & A are also posted below.
The order of the invited speakers was selected by lot but other Dems also showed up and were allowed to speak (Signal Hill Councilman Ed Wilson, Truck Driver George Parma, Jr. and Prof. Peter Matthews [the latter first heard during Q & A]).
LBReport.com posts the candidates' statements in full. To launch the audio, click on the link next to their photos. The audio is in "streaming audio" form to minimize download time. We've changed the lot-drawn order to reflect our general view of newsworthiness...but the final decision is up to voters on June 26. That election will send the top candidate from each political party into an August 21 runoff if no candidate receives over 50% of the vote.
State Senator Jenny Oropeza (D., southbay).
Audio launch.
Assemblywoman Laura Richardson (D, Carson-LB).
Audio launch.
LB police officer/Iraq war veteran John Kanaley.
Audio launch.
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Non-profit entity's Executive Director Valerie McDonald.
Audio launch.
Signal Hill City Councilman Ed Wilson.
Audio launch.
Paralegal/businessman Bill Grisolia.
Audio launch.
Truck Driver George Parma, Jr.
Audio launch.
LBReport.com also posts audio of salient portions of the Q & A below.
"Beer & Politics" is a monthly series (last Tuesday of each month) sponsored by LB's Junior Chamber of Commerce, separately organized by its Gov't Affairs Director, Mike Clements.
