Modesto mayoral, supervisor candidates square off in South Modesto Partnerships forums
The 2020 election focus will turn to south Modesto and its surrounding neighborhoods on Thursday as candidates vying to become the city’s next mayor and the supervisor to represent the area square off in back-to-back debates.
The South Modesto Partnerships, in conjunction with Central Valley TV and The Modesto Bee, will host the Zoom forums, which also will be broadcast live on SMPs Facebook page.
The 90-minute mayoral forum, featuring seven candidates, will start at 5 p.m. The one-hour forum featuring the two candidates hoping to replace Jim DeMartini, the Stanislaus County Supervisor for District 5, will follow.
“These areas of Modesto have been hit hard by the coronavirus, and face other obstacles surrounding education, access to healthcare and a lack of connection with local government,” said Jose Sabala, president of the SMPs. “At the same time, there is a vibrant business community, entrepreneurial spirit and a great sense of community.”
The largely Latino-populated area has been hit especially hard by COVID-19. Though they represent 47 percent of the population, Latinos make up 63 percent of those who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Running for mayor are incumbent Ted Brandvold, Kristi Ah You, Rick Countryman, Naramsen Goriel, Doug Ridenour, Erin Sommer Tenorio and Sue Zwahlen.
Running to replace DeMartini are Channce Condit and Tom Hallinan.
The moderators for both debates will be SMPs board members Emmanuel Escamilla and Evelyn Mejia and Bee Opinions Editor Garth Stapley.
“We’ve been looking forward to this since we began talking about the event in January,” said Brian Clark, The Bee’s editor. “At the time, there already were critical topics to discuss regarding this important part of the region.
“The coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on these communities, only heightened the relevance and urgency of having frank conversations with the candidates.”
The questions to the candidates also will include issues tied to nearby communities, including Modesto’s Airport Neighborhood.
The South Modesto Partnerships focuses on “mobilizing faith, neighbors, private, and public partners to act together to support the health and well-being of the underserved South Modesto community.”
Central Valley TV, launched by George and Ellen Stallings in 2000 with a focus on a Modesto market short on broadcast journalism, is run by Carlos Rodriguez and Gaby Muro. Using multiple platforms, Central Valley TV has an audience of more than 200,000 viewers with a news focus on Modesto and Stockton.
Thursday’s forums will come on the heals of similar-style events conducted by The Bee’s Editorial Board, including examinations of candidates in the two supervisor races – District 1 and District 5 – state senate District 5, Ceres mayor and the Modesto City Council District 1 and District 3 contests.
On Tuesday, The Bee will conduct debates for the Modesto Irrigation District Division I and Modesto City Council District 6 races. The following week kicks off with another mayoral debate featuring topics tied to all of Modesto.
This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 5:59 AM.