Cal State San Marcos To Host Forum For Candidates

SAN DIEGO, CA – Cal State San Marcos will host a forum Tuesday for candidates running in the state and federal districts that encompass the university's campus.

CSUSM's Associated Students Inc. and Office of Government Relations collaborated to bring the event to San Marcos. Candidates from the 50th Congressional District, the 38th State Senate District and the 75th Assembly District were invited to the event. State Senate candidates Jeff Griffith and Brian Jones, Assembly candidate Alan Geraci and congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar are confirmed to attend.

"I'm excited for a candidate forum on our campus because it will allow students to participate in civic engagement," said ASI Vice President of Student and University Affairs Michelle Tran. "The reality is that there has been a diminishing pattern of voter turnout within our generation."

Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, and U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Lakeside, are not expected to attend the forum. Both are incumbents.

Hunter and his wife were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in August for improper usage of campaign funds for personal expenses like vacations and dentist bills. Federal prosecutors charged Hunter with wire fraud, campaign finance violations, falsified records and conspiracy. He is one of two indicted Republican congressmen running for re-election along with Rep. Chris Coons, R-New York.

KPBS reporter Jade Hindmon will moderate the forum. While the event is free and members of the public are welcome, CSUSM advises residents seeking to attend to RSVP on the forum's Eventbrite web page so the school can get a rough head count.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock