Democratic candidates get ready for debate Democratic candidates get ready for debate (January 30, 2004)

State Senate seat is up for grabs

By Grace Rauh

Editor's note: Notice was given on Jan. 28, after the Voice press time, that the debate has been canceled

Two Democrats vying for state Sen. John Vasconcellos' seat in Sacramento could discuss everything from California's budget to public education when the candidates face off in a debate in Mountain View next week.

Former state Assembly member Elaine Alquist and current state Assembly member Manny Diaz will be fielding questions from the public during a two-hour debate sponsored by the Peninsula Young Democrats Feb. 3 at the Adobe Building in Mountain View. The debate will give voters a chance to meet the candidates, learn more about their platforms and hear their economic recovery plans for California and Silicon Valley, said Sari Wisch, PYD's political affairs director.

Since the 13th Senate District -- which includes Mountain View -- is home to nearly two times as many registered Democrats as Republicans, whoever secures the Democratic nomination in the Mar. 2 primary is favored to win the general election in November.

Another Democrat in the primary election, Jose Medeiros, is not scheduled to participate in the debate.

Both Diaz and Alquist will appear at the debate with years of state and local political experience. They also weigh in similarly on big issues, like the state's budget crisis.

Alquist and Diaz grudgingly support Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's $15 billion bond measure which, if passed by voters on Mar. 2, would help the state finance its budget deficit. They both say it is a way to save California from an even worse fate.

"I'm not at all crazy about it," Diaz said. But no bond "would be so devastating to Californians."

Alquist approaches the bond with similar sentiments. "We almost have no choice. We really need to pass it. Otherwise, programs are just going to be decimated," she said.

Alquist is campaigning on what she dubs "quality of life issues." She wants to improve education and health care, support women's issues and ensure that Californians' tax dollars are spent wisely, she said. Transportation is also a top priority, and Alquist points to her role in bringing BART to the South Bay as an example of her independent thinking.

"A lot of people in leadership back then were not supportive of what I was trying to do," Alquist said.

Providing more affordable housing and health care, improving education and reviving California's economy are central to Diaz's campaign. He also believes in setting money aside for rainy day funds to avoid another financial crisis in the future.

"And I don't support taking money from the (local governments) and giving it to the state," Diaz said.

Diaz, a first generation Mexican-American who was raised by a single mother in San Francisco's Mission District, worked as an engineer in the Bay Area for 17 years and got his political feet wet while serving on the San Jose Planning Commission from 1986 to 1993. He also served on the San Jose City Council from 1995 to 2000 and is currently in his second Assembly term representing the 23rd Assembly District.

Alquist is also no newcomer to local politics. In 1996 she was the first Greek-American woman elected to the state Legislature, and she represented the city and the rest of the 22nd Assembly District for the maximum six years. Prior to joining the legislature, she served on the Cupertino School Board for eight years. Since being termed out of office in 2002, she has been campaigning and teaching an education class at Santa Clara University for teachers studying school administration.

The debate is open to the public and will take place on Feb. 3 at the Adobe Building at 157 Moffett Blvd. from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

E-mail Grace Rauh at grauh@mv-voice.com

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