The Van Nuys Neighborhood Council hosted the first public forum for the candidates running for LA County Sheriff with 6 of the 7 candidates addressing a standing-room-only crowd at the Van Nuys Constituent Center.
Frank Stoltze, Crime and Politics Reporter for KPCC, covered the forum which drew almost as many journalists as members of the public and his article can be found here.
The forum’s origins were simple, a candidate asked to address the Neighborhood Council and they responded by giving all candidates equal access and opportunity, resulting in 6 of the 7 candidates joining the council at the forum.
CBS covered the event and shot video of the robust discourse that saw the candidates swinging hard at the current leadership while positioning themselves as the only insider/outsider for the job.
The Daily News live-tweeted the event and also captured video that was released throughout the event.
Neighborhood Councils often host forums for candidates and the overriding principles that must be adhered to in providing a venue for prospective candidates during the election are that public resources may not be used for “campaign activity” and may only be used to provide neutral, balanced information, and that all candidates must be provided with an equal and fair opportunity.
The City Attorney’s guidance on Candidate Forums can be found here.