Harder takes on Howze, four other candidates, in upcoming Modesto Bee debate
The Modesto Bee will host a public congressional debate Jan. 22 between the six candidates — three Republicans and three Democrats — hoping to represent Stanislaus County and part of San Joaquin County in the House of Representatives, at the State Theatre in downtown Modesto.
It’s the only known debate for which all six have committed to participate.
Challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Josh Harder, a Democrat, are Republicans Ted Howze, Marla Sousa Livengood and Bob Elliott, and Democrats Mike Barkley and Ryan Blevins.
This is the first time in recent memory the newspaper has staged such an event before a live audience.
In the past, The Bee Editorial Board customarily has invited candidates in contested races to discuss issues privately at the newspaper, helping to inform Bee endorsements. Viewers saw a lively debate on social media between Harder and then-incumbent Jeff Denham before Bee editors in September 2018, but this time, people can see it in person, for free.
“The elections in 2020 will have a big impact on our community,” said Brian Clark, editor at The Bee. “We feel it’s critical The Bee do all it can to provide an open forum for residents so they can make the best decision for themselves and their families.”
The State Theatre seats 550 people. Check back for details on reserving seats at no cost.
Likely topics include housing, immigration, water, health care, jobs, veterans and impeachment.
Harder, Howze and Barkley have discussed issues publicly at least once before, at a spirited League of Women Voters debate in April 2018, a few weeks before that year’s Primary election. The California Primary is moving to March in 2020, compressing time available to campaign between the holidays and voting; absentee ballots should appear in the mail the first week of February.
The top two candidates in March, regardless of party affiliation, will face each other in the Presidential Election the following November.
Denham and Harder finished first and second in last year’s Primary, with Howze not far behind. Harder prevailed in the fall general election, and Denham joined Washington, D.C. lobbying firm K&L Gates in May.
Howze, a former Turlock councilman, and Harder, who lives in Turlock when he’s not in D.C., have not taken many breaks from campaigning — or attacking each other.
On Friday, Howze sent a note to supporters accusing Harder of having “sucked up to party elites like Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff,” who were involved in President Trump’s impeachment. The same day, Harder shared a message with his supporters noting that “my self-funding opponent Ted Howze already wrote his campaign a $600,000 check to try and seize momentum ahead of the Primary.”
Doors to The Bee’s debate will open at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the State Theatre, 1307 J St., and the forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. Save the date, and consider attending.
This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 5:00 AM.
