Eleven candidates for U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo's seat are seeking to win voters' approval in the March 5 primary election, the first hurdle to representing the 16th District of the U.S. House of Representatives. And on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the candidates will square off in a live debate at Palo Alto City Hall from 7 to 9 p.m.
Sponsored by Embarcadero Media Foundation, Palo Alto Neighborhoods and the Midpeninsula Media Center, in partnership with the city of Palo Alto, the free public event will be an opportunity for voters to hear directly from candidates Joby Bernstein, Peter Dixon, Rishi Kumar, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Sam Liccardo, Evan Low, Ahmed Mostafa, Peter Ohtaki, Joe Simitian and Greg Tanaka.
The debate will take place in City Council chambers, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. It will also be broadcast live by Midpen Media on their YouTube page and on Midpen's cable TV channel 30.
Moderating the event will be Palo Alto Weekly reporter Gennady Sheyner and Mountain View Voice reporter Zoe Morgan. Questions from the public for the candidates are welcome: Please submit them ahead of time to editor@paweekly.com.
In California’s open primary election, voters can cast their ballot for any candidate regardless of party affiliation. The top two in the primary will face off in November unless one candidate receives more than 50%.
The 16th District stretches from Pacifica to Los Gatos and includes the Midpeninsula.
Want to brush up on who's running? Read profiles of the candidates by Sheyner: "Who will succeed Eshoo? Here are the candidates."
Comments
Registered user
Barron Park
on Jan 12, 2024 at 11:24 am
Registered user
on Jan 12, 2024 at 11:24 am
Don't need to go or even read about it - it will be a debate on who can be the most 'progressive'.
Registered user
Duveneck School
on Jan 12, 2024 at 11:50 am
Registered user
on Jan 12, 2024 at 11:50 am
In two hours with 13 candidates there will be no debate. Time needed for opening and closing statements plus the answers to two questions uses almost all the time available.
Registered user
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 12, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Registered user
on Jan 12, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Can people attend and participate with questions online? Covid (and other viruses) are picking up again.
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Jan 12, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Registered user
on Jan 12, 2024 at 10:41 pm
I’m glad this forum will happen. It’s needed.
And Gennady’s a good questioner.
Registered user
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 14, 2024 at 12:36 am
Registered user
on Jan 14, 2024 at 12:36 am
Lot of good people, but Joe Similitian is the only one with the kind of experience to fill Eshoo’s shoes and can be a public servant for everyone. Truth be told, I’ve voted for her every time but Eshoo should have retired awhile ago.
Registered user
another community
on Jan 14, 2024 at 7:47 am
Registered user
on Jan 14, 2024 at 7:47 am
Aren't 501c3 organizations prohibited by the IRS regarding politics?
Registered user
College Terrace
on Jan 14, 2024 at 1:41 pm
Registered user
on Jan 14, 2024 at 1:41 pm
Joe is the only candidate who will hit the ground running. The other candidates could serve us well at either the State level where they would gain legislative experience, or for newbies run for either their local council or for county supervisor. Only children think life is simple.
Registered user
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 15, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Registered user
on Jan 15, 2024 at 1:25 pm
How about a real debate between the two candidates for Assembly -- Berman and Kou -- since the two of have the time to answer questions and debate the issues?
Registered user
Midtown
on Jan 15, 2024 at 3:17 pm
Registered user
on Jan 15, 2024 at 3:17 pm
Article says 11 candidates are running, and 10 are listed as being at the event. Is one not appearing? And are there others running who have been deemed not "qualified" to appear at this event?
Registered user
editor of the Palo Alto Weekly
on Jan 16, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Registered user
on Jan 16, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Hi all. Thanks for the questions about the candidates' forum. To respond, we are working with the Midpen Media Center and are in the process of determining what kind of livestream will be possible (online and/or TV broadcast). Once we've got that info, we'll let you know.
We will not be taking questions live during the debate; however, our moderators are going to incorporate voters' questions in their queries to the candidates. Please do submit your questions to us by Jan. 29. We want to know what you care about. Send them to editor@paweekly.com.
About nonprofit status and politics/elections: The IRS allows 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to engage legally in election-related activities. It draws the line at activity that supports or opposes candidates for public office.
Embarcadero won't be endorsing any candidates now that we are a nonprofit. However, a nonprofit news organization can and should fulfill its role in informing the public about candidates. Through the Jan. 31 forum, we'll be presenting the candidates themselves and asking questions that aim to illuminate the distinctions between them.
The 11 candidates are those who have qualified by law to run, according to the California Secretary of State. We reached out to all 11; 10 responded and are confirmed as participating on Jan. 31.