Fireworks fizzle at AD80 forum

Gary Jeandron (R-Palm Springs) and Manuel Perez (D-Coachella), candidates for the 80th Assembly District, discuss local issues at a candidate forum in Rancho Mirage.RANCHO MIRAGE - While the sign outside the Rancho Mirage Public Library promised political fireworks, the format of Tuesday night's candidate forum produced measured responses from Gray Jeandron (R-Palm Springs) and Manuel Perez (D-Coachella), the two candidates for the 80th Assembly District.

Perez and Jeandron were forbidden from engaging each other until the very end. They spent the majority of the evening answering questions from moderators and audience members on a variety of local topics ranging from tax policy to water access, an issue of particular import in this parched desert region.

While there were hardly any fireworks, the forum did provide an opportunity for the candidates to contrast their positions, particularly on budget policy. When asked to describe some non-partisan measures that would help balance the budget, Perez proposed reforming the state's tax code to close loopholes. "We need to align our revenues with our expenditures," he added, noting that "perhaps there are programs that we can streamline."

Jeandron, a former Palm Springs police chief, jumped on Perez's comments. "I do not believe that tax increases, closing loopholes, going after loopholes, any of that, is effective right now," Jeandron said, "because that will drive businesses further out of California, and it will also hurt our working families." Jeandron said he favors a budget cap to prevent state spending from spiraling out of control. He also proposed that legislators go without pay during a budget impasse until after they reach a compromise, a line which drew applause from the quiet crowd.

Throughout the night, Jeandron positioned himself as a true believer in free markets. "It seems the more you get the government involved in things, the more they screw it up," he argued. Perez, on the other hand, took a more populist turn, stressing the need for "a balance between market forces and government regulation."

The highlight of the night, though, came at the very end, when each candidate was allowed to ask a question of his opponent. Perez, a Coachella Valley Unified School Board member, asked Jeandron to defend his claims of being a moderate, given what Perez described as his adherence to "the Republican mantra of anti-taxes, anti-government and anti-services."

Jeandron dismissed the question, quickly saying, "I do believe I am a moderate," before pivoting to attack mode and accusing Perez of flip-flopping on the issues. "You're going to say tax increases, and then all of a sudden tonight you're saying a tax deduction for the middle class," Jeandron said.

Jeandron oddly chose to ask Perez what he currently does for a living. Perez explained that he took a leave of absence from his non-profit work to campaign full time.

After the forum ended, Jeandron explained his frustration at having so few opportunities to engage his opponent.

"It's a little frustrating to me because you really can't draw the person's ideas out," Jeandron said. "You can give a canned response, but I don't do canned responses. I don't have any notes. I get up there and I just start talking from what I believe."

Jeandron also defended his decision to question his opponent's occupation. "There were so many things [I wanted to ask him], I just picked one that came to mind," said Jeandron. "People have asked me several times, what does he do? And I often go, I'm not sure. Well, what he does now is he's unemployed. He's taken a leave of absence. He's not working."

Jeandron and Perez are vieing to replace termed out Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-Cathedral City).  Republicans have prevailed in the 80th six out of the last seven elections, despite the district's Democratic lean. Both parties have invested heavily in this year's race as Democrats look to inch closer to a two-thirds majority and Republicans strive to remain relevant in the state Assembly.