Click play on the video above to watch 50th Assembly candidates Betsy Butler and Richard Bloom at Santa Monica Daily Press' annual "Squirm Night."
"Both candidates have a strong history of protecting the environment and education," the local paper's publisher Ross Furukawa said in introducing the candidates.
In the 18-minute video, Editor Kevin Herrera peppered the candidates with "some squirmy" questions:
- Should developers be compelled to use solar, electricity and other alternative forms of energy to reduce the impact of their projects?
- Do they support a dog beach in Santa Monica?
- How they will vote on Propositions 30 and 38?
Bloom asked Butler about her opinion of SB 1530, a bill that would make it easier to discipline teachers accused by students of child abuse, but that she called "horrible" and "unconstitutional."
See also: Richard Bloom Grows His Campaign Contributions in Race for 50th Assembly
The two Democrats are now headed for a runoff in the Nov. 6 general election. The newly-carved 50th district includes Agoura Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Hollywood.
Really Richard, protecting the environment. You have done nothing to help fight to close Santa Monica Airport even after the huge out cry by the many people that elected you. You just dismiss this important health and safety issue. No Thanks Bloom we have had enough of your BS.
We need to vote all of them who approved LUCE out, not just keep him from moving up to the Assembly. Gleam Davis, Terry O'Day this time (and Shari Davis who aligned herself with them). Then Holbrook and O'Connor next time. Enough ignoring of residents in favor of tourists and developers, plus apparently the councilmembers' own futures. Seldon, Mann, and Smith have agreed to move the Sr Center back to Ocean Ave and not to approve the Village Trailer Park or Miramar development agreements. With McKeown, that would give residents a majority on the Council. I would also like to see Merkelians be elected, since he has a real plan to make the City self-sustaining by selling renewable energy, not just talking about it the way the current Council and everyone associated with them does.
Any group called anything for a better anything is always big business billionaires or mega corps trying to get their special interests made! BS!