PETER MATHEWS SPEAKS AT PDA'S CANDIDATE FORUM

Progressive Democrats of America held the first candidates' forum for the special election in California 's 37th Congressional District. The special election was scheduled following the death of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald. As of 4PM, May 18th, 11 Democrats, 4 Republicans, 1 Green, and 1 Libertarian have qualified for the ballot according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office. Dr. Bill Honigsman, PDA's CA State Coordinator, introduced the forum, and Marc Barron acted as moderator.

The PDA forum at the Library Coffee Shop Friday night, May 18, drew 5 of the Democratic candidates: Peter Mathews, Felicia Ford, George Parmer, Mervin Evans, and Jeffrey Price. Questions from the audience indicated a strong demand to get out of Iraq , begin impeachment proceedings, and preserve citizens' rights to freedom of internet access ("net neutrality").

Peter Mathews, who had run against the incumbent last fall and garnered more than 10,000 votes, spoke first. As a professor of American government, he showed a depth of understanding of the issues as well as a commitment to clean government. Pledging to not take any corporate contributions, he called for closing of the unfair corporate tax loopholes and canceling Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy.

Of those speaking, only Mervin Evans declined to consider impeachment of Bush and Cheny.

State Senator Jenny Oropeza and Assemblywoman Laura Richardson, who both just won their present positions last November, failed to show up. Both of their districts partially overlap the 37th Congressional District. As state legislators, neither has stepped forward to re-author AJR39, the impeachment resolution introduced last year by Assemblyman Paul Koretz that died in committee at the end of the last session.

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PDA Congressional Candidates\' Forum, first speaker, Peter Mathews, at the Library Coffee Shop in Long Beach for the 37th Congressional District special election scheduled for June 26, 2007.