San Jose candidate will debate after all

San Jose council candidate

Helen Chapman last week took back her vow to boycott candidate forums held by the councilman she’s trying to replace.

Chapman last weekend sent a biting email to San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio, criticizing him for hosting debates for the candidates vying for his job. She worried that Oliverio, who has clashed with her backers in organized labor, would be “biased,” even though Chapman participated in previous forums held by Oliverio and the format hasn’t changed. Oliverio hasn’t endorsed a candidate to replace him.

The councilman had sponsored three debates with eight candidates before the June primary election. Now he’s scheduled three more with the remaining two candidates: Chapman and her opponent, Dev Davis.

Oliverio responded to Chapman’s email by reassuring her that he’ll remain neutral and that “co-moderating journalists” pick questions. “For the record, the co-moderating journalists have complete control over which questions from actual District 6 residents will be asked during the forums,” he wrote.

But Chapman interpreted that as Oliverio backing out of his own forums — which was not the case.

“I got the impression that he is not co-moderating,” Chapman told IA. “I was under the impression that there would be two members of the media.”

Oliverio clarified that he’ll still co-moderate along with one journalist — the same format used in past debates which Chapman attended. Now, Chapman faced the same dilemma — should she participate or not?

“I don’t want to continue to confuse voters,” she said, agreeing to attend Oliverio’s new debates. “At this point, my intent is to get out in front of voters and allow them to hear my platform.” Oliverio’s forums will be held Sept. 14, Sept. 26 and Oct. 17.