GILROY
– An arch conservative political group is holding its first-ever
debate in Gilroy Thursday in response to the controversial
candidates forum a union-backed political group held in
September.
GILROY – An arch conservative political group is holding its first-ever debate in Gilroy Thursday in response to the controversial candidates forum a union-backed political group held in September.
The California Republican Assembly is hosting the Oct. 9 event from 7 to 9 p.m. inside City Council chambers and on channel 17. In addition to the traditional opening statement, candidates will have a chance to ask a candidate of their choice a question and a follow-up, making the format the most debate-oriented candidates forum held thus far.
At least one candidate, City Council hopeful Bruce Morasca, says he will not attend, as he has another campain event schedued for the same date. And at least one more, City Council candidate Paul Correa, says he received the invitation too late and has other plans scheduled for that evening.
“I may have scared away some of them, but if they look at the format we’re not going to be asking any of the questions,” event coordinator Mark Zappa said. “It’s free advertising. I think they’re crazy if they don’t take advantage of it. Bruce Morasca can ask a loaded question to any candidate if he wants and there’s nothing I or anyone from the organization can do about it.”
Zappa vowed to host a candidates forum at City Hall after losing a bid to oust Gilroy First! from its forum that was held in Council chambers and televised on Channel 17. Zappa claimed that since Gilroy First! had union backing, it did not qualify as a non-partisan event. He asked Council to make them move the forum to Gavilan College and air it on its channel 20 TV station.
Council instead decided to let City Hall and city airwaves be used in this election by any group. After the November election, however, the city facilities can no longer be used to host debates.
Morasca said he is not participating because Zappa had told Council, when he was arguing against the Gilroy First! forum, he would only endorse Republican candidates after the CRA debate. Zappa, in fact, said the CRA traditionally endorses Republicans, but said the group will not make an endorsement before, during or after the debate this year.
Zappa spent Friday calling candidate hopefuls confirming whether they’d participate Thursday night. It was unknown before deadline who had accepted the invitation other than mayoral candidate Al Pinheiro and Council hopefuls Dion Bracco and Russ Valiquette.
Zappa is adamant the debate will be fair. Anyone in the public can attend and ask questions as well as call in to pose questions to candidates. Zappa has also promised not to ask any questions himself, nor will the CRA formulate questions.
“I refuse to let someone get sandbagged,” Zappa said.
City Council chambers are inside City Hall at 7351 Rosanna St. Council hopefuls begin debating at 7 p.m. Mayoral hopefuls begin at 8:10 p.m.
