Three of five candidates running for the 78th Assembly District seat covered a variety of issues at a forum this week sponsored by alcohol-and tobacco-awareness groups.
Marty Block, Arlie Ricasa and Maxine Sherard, all Democrats, debated their views at Cuyamaca College, covering a dozen topics that included what they would first work on if elected to the Assembly, their thoughts on term limits and whether they support smoke-free campuses.
Candidates Auday Arabo, a Democrat, and Chula Vista City Councilman John McCann, a Republican, did not show up. Libertarian Geof Gibson did not qualify for the ballot.
Block, a longtime San Diego Community College District trustee, said one of his first projects would be getting a California State University campus built in the South Bay.
He said he has been in talks with San Diego State President Stephen Weber and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, chairman of the Committee on Higher Education.
Ricasa, a Sweetwater Union High School District board member, said her first order of business would be ensuring education funding is protected.
She said her relationship with sitting legislators would help her make inroads in her first year, when newly-elected members of the California Assembly are typically learning the ropes.
Getting straight to work on stopping the recurring budget deficit is Sherard's immediate goal.
“The taxpayer will never trust their leaders if they don't have a hold of that budget,” the retired math professor said.
In February, Proposition 93, which would have relaxed California's term-limits law, failed. Existing law limits legislators to a total of 14 years, but only three two-year terms in the Assembly and two four-year terms in the Senate. Block, Ricasa and Sherard had different takes on the topic.
Sherard said she approves of the current six-year limit and questioned whether she would even want to stay in Sacramento that long.
Ricasa suggested keeping limits but extending the terms from two years to four years to keep legislators from having to perpetually campaign.
Block said the Assembly turnover is too quick.
“Fresh blood is good, but I'm not sure if it gives enough time to do a good job.”
All candidates said they support smoke-free campuses.
Of the 80 Assembly districts, the 78th is one of only two to change partisan hands since 2001, when the Legislature redrew district boundaries. This race is one of four Assembly seats likely to be highly competitive in the fall campaign.
The primary is June 3.
Tanya Sierra: (619) 498-6631; tanya.sierra@uniontrib.com
