Watch: ‘Debate at The State,’ with the final 2 candidates for Modesto mayor
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The Modesto Bee held a livestreamed debate between the final two candidates for Modesto mayor ib Wednesday, Jan. 6.
The Debate at The State featured Doug Ridenour and Sue Zwahlen, who emerged from the November general election to reach the Feb. 2 runoff election.
The two candidates answered questions from moderators Garth Stapley, The Modesto Bee’s Opinions page editor, and Patty Guerra, The Bee’s Managing Editor.
Questions covered topics such as life after the coronavirus pandemic, the city budget, boosting the local economy, public safety, homelessness, and restoring public confidence in City Hall.
The debate was scheduled to be held live at The State Theatre in downtown Modesto, but due to COVID-19 protocols, the event will be held online.
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Doug Ridenour, 69, reached the runoff by finishing second among the eight mayoral candidates. A retired Modesto police sergeant, Ridenour was elected to the City Council in 2015. His brother Jim served as mayor from late 2003 to early 2012.
Ridenour said he wants to lead Modesto through these unprecedented times and ensure the city is positioned to thrive in a post-pandemic world. He wants to help local businesses, heal social rifts and work more closely with the county to solve homelessness, addiction and growing the economy.
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Sue Zwahlen, 66, reached the runoff by finishing first among eight mayoral candidates. A retired emergency room registered nurse, Zwahlen served on the Modesto City Schools board from 2009-2017. She ran for California’s 10th Congressional District in 2018 as a Democrat but did not advance out of the primary.
She says her top priorities for Modesto beyond leading residents out of the pandemic are restoring public confidence in City Hall, homelessness, public safety and updating the general plan to pave the way for thoughtful economic development.
This story was originally published December 28, 2020 at 5:44 PM.