James R Smith for Assembly (53rd District)

For immediate release:

Contact: Suzanne Thompson - 310-664-1142 • thompsonsuz@comcast.net

An audio recording of the debate and photos are available at www.smithforassembly.org



Third-Party Assembly Candidate Shines

in Contentious League of Women Voters Debate

An unofficial exit poll after the 53rd Assembly District debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters showed spectators were dismayed with the constant bickering between Democrat Mike Gordon and Republican Greg Hill.

Many of those in attendance applauded James Smith, Peace and Freedom Party candidate, for trying to keep opponents focused on the issues instead of attacking each other. "Please guys, the voters are watching us," said Smith, who was sitting between the two during the debate.

Smith, who is the treasurer of the Venice Neighborhood Council, said he shared the concern of many 53rd District residents about environmental decay, traffic, over-development and growing poverty. He was the only candidate of the four (including Libertarian Ethan Bovie) to endorse a single-payer health plan to cover all Californians.

Smith challenged Gordon to also pledge to support single-payer health care for all Californians. He reminded Gordon that incumbent George Nakano had supported Sheila Kuehl's single-payer health care bill during its last committee vote. Gordon, however, declined to respond.

Nearly every time he spoke, Gordon attempted to defend himself from Hill's charges that his telemarketing company had been shut down in 13 states. Hill maintained that the charges were true.

The candidates will debate again at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20 in Hermosa Beach, at the Kiwanis Club,2515 Valley Drive, This debate is Sponsored by the Hermosa Beach Leadership Class of 2004. The moderator will be Art Wible, Daily Breeze Publisher.

###