Multiple candidate forums for the Merced County Board of Supervisors race are scheduled this month.
On Tuesday, the Merced Organizing Project and Merced Soccer Academy will host a forum at Stephen Leonard Park Youth Center. The forum will go from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Merced County Deputy Sheriff’s Association will host a forum with the candidates April 9.
The event will be free and include light refreshments. Seating is limited to 200 people on a first-come, first-served basis. A “minimally intrusive cursory search,” similar to what one may see at a sporting event or courthouse, will be conducted for those who wish to attend to ensure a safe event.
The forum will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Merced Elks Lodge, 1910 M St.
For more information, contact the Deputy Sheriff’s Association at 209-386-3394.
The Merced County Association of Realtors will hold two candidate debates. These debates will be open for association members and affiliates only.
The first will be for District 1 and District 2 candidates at 5 p.m. April 12. The second will be at 9 a.m. April 19 for District 4 candidates. Both will be held at the association office, 635 W. Main St. in Merced. They also will be broadcast on TV and YouTube and can be streamed live at www.mercedsunstar.com.
Candidates will be asked their positions on certain issues, such as a proposed transportation tax and how to reduce violent crime and homelessness.
Supervisors serve four-year terms. Three of the county’s five district seats are up for vote in the June 7 election: District 1, which stretches from Le Grand and Planada to Livingston, encompassing parts of South Merced along the way; District 2, made up mostly of north and central Merced; and District 4, which stretches from Snelling to Gustine.
Vying for the District 1 seat are Livingston Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza and incumbent John Pedrozo. District 2 has three candidates – incumbent Hub Walsh, Lee Lor and Casey Steed. District 4 Supervisor Deidre Kelsey announced last year she will not seek re-election, leaving the District 4 race open. Fidel Cervantes, Rich Ford, Jack Mobley, Lloyd Pareira and Ramon Prado are competing for the seat.
