October 02, 2008

In the more than 300 elections for the state Assembly and Senate since reapportionment in 2001, not a single seat has changed political parties. But that could change this November in the San Joaquin Valley’s 30th Assembly District.

The seat is held by Democrat Nicole Parra, but she is supporting her former Republican opponent, Danny Gilmore of Hanford, over Democrat Fran Florez of Shafter in their race to represent a district with voters in Kern, Kings, Tulare and Fresno counties.

“The Maddy Report,” a production of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno, will spotlight the Gilmore-Florez contest in an hourlong debate at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 (repeating at 10 a.m. Oct. 12) on KSEE, Channel 24.

The race is critical to both parties. If the Democrats win, they could achieve the two-thirds majority needed to pass a budget without any Republican support, while a Gilmore victory could help Republicans maintain their ability to veto budget proposals.

Issues likely to be covered in the debate include the budget, the state economy, water and air quality, energy and transportation.

Asking the questions will be James Geluso of the Bakersfield Californian, Paul Hurley of the Visalia Times-Delta and Jackie Kaczmarek of the Hanford Sentinel. Maddy Institute executive director Mark Keppler will moderate.

For more information, call 559.294.9119.