At least three of the four presidential candidates running in
the Undergraduate Students Association Council elections will
face-off in a debate sponsored by Bruin News 29 and the Daily Bruin
on Friday evening.
Candidates Josh Lawson, running under the Equal Access
Coalition; Doug Ludlow, running as an independent; and Students
First! candidate Allende Palma/Saracho will have the opportunity to
answer questions from reporters as well as each other in an
hour-long debate that will be free and open to the public.
Independent candidate Arash Mozayan Isfahani is currently unsure
whether he can attend because of scheduling conflicts, but
maintains that the the concept of a debate is a good idea for
candidates to expose their respective views.
Participants say they look forward to addressing the student
body and interacting with each other.
The debate gives students accessibility to the candidates,
Palma/Saracho said, adding that it is appropriate for the opposing
candidates to “be competitive now and then” and discuss
their different platforms.
The debate could also humanize the candidates, Palma/Saracho
said.
“It is a chance for us to view each other as fellow human
beings, answering (questions) about our issues and experience
instead of attacking our beliefs,” he said.
Lawson agreed that candidates should steer away from personal
issues.
“I hope to stick to the basic issues that I think are
important to campaign; I wouldn’t get meddled in personal
disputes at all,” he said.
Ludlow said he was excited for the event, but hoped it would not
turn into a rally which only the strongest supporters of each
candidate attend.
The debate will be moderated by Kristina Wong, executive news
producer for Bruin News 29. Candidates will be asked questions from
a panel of three reporters, after which candidates can question
each other.
Palma/Saracho said he is a little wary of having to answer other
candidates’ questions, as he would rather be responsive to
students.
But Ludlow said he is looking forward to asking his opponents
about their ideas and experience at UCLA.
Compiled by Menaka Fernando, Bruin senior staff.