SENATE DISTRICT THREE CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF
Cabaldon, Elward, Verder-Aliga discuss number of issues
Candidates for California Senate District Three met for a candidate forum moderated by the League of Women Voters at Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield Monday.
The three Democratic candidates — Christopher Cabaldon, Jackie Elward and Rozzana Verder-Aliga — as well as one of the two Republican candidates, Thom Bogue, attended the event.
Vacaville City Councilmember Sarah Chapman moderated the debate, explaining the rules and asking the questions. Each candidate was given two minutes to answer each question, as well as opening and closing statements.
Verder-Aliga spoke first, noting her support for mental health care, women's health care, LGBTQ rights and unions. As an immigrant from the Philippines and the wife of an army vet, she said, she has experience and collaborative skills that could serve her in the senate.
“If elected to the state senate,” she said “I will be a state senator who understands the challenges we face as a community,” she said.
Elward pitched herself as a younger option with experience tackling homelessness in Rohnert park, where she served as mayor. Supporting green energy and education, Elward said she hopes to invest in a greener future.
“I am here to earn your support,” she said, “and to demonstrate that we can move away from the status quo and give the next generation a chance.”
Cabaldon, former mayor of West Sacramento, said his experience in that role makes him ideal for District Three in a time of profound growth and change. As mayor, he said, he tackled homelessness, affordable housing, violent crime and unemployment.
“I believe profoundly that we can do much much better in California,”
he said
On California Forever, Cabaldon said regulators will need to carefully track the development and ask tough questions about transportation, water rights, and more.
“We as the people of this city and this district have to be asking those questions,” he said.
Verder-Aliga said she aims to meet with the company in the coming weeks, and does not wish to see billionaires benefit from the project.
“The Flannery project will change the very character of our Solano County,” she said.
Bouge took a different tone toward the developers, but said he was concerned about the impacts of the project on the surrounding area.
“I don't really care who makes what money on what,” he said.
Elward said she was strongly opposed to the development, primarily citing water concerns.
“We can talk all along about California Forever,” she said, “but they need to really prove that they can do what they say.”
Bouge provided the first closing statement, outlining his accomplishments in office so far and adding that he is driven to run by the joy of service.
Elward closed by reiterating that she is the youngest candidate in the race and is hoping to lift up youth in the area if elected.
“We need a state senator who will do the right thing even when no one is looking,” she said. “My values are your values.”
Cabaldon said that trust in democracy can only be built when candidates do what they intend to do, and he hopes to build that trust with District Three if elected.
“We mostly agree on most of the issues,” he said. “That's a given in today's California. The issue is how we're going to achieve it.”
Verder-Aliga noted her endorsements from state Sen. Bill
Dodd, Assemblywoman Lori Wilson and U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, as well as her experience helping Vallejo come back from difficult economic times. She said she does not back away from a challenge, and is looking for input on how to help the state and district improve.
“Only in America can dreams come true,” she said, “and I'm very grateful and I want to give back”
The primary will be held on March 5. District Three, currently represented by Dodd, encompasses Solano County as well as some of the surrounding counties.