In a lively forum held last night, candidates for State Senate District 14, Valerie Lawson and Brian Coogan, engaged in a structured debate moderated by Susan, with questions sourced from the audience. The event, organized by the League of Women Voters and the East Bay Media Group, aimed to address key issues pertinent to voters in the district.

The format allowed each candidate to deliver an opening statement, followed by six questions to which they would each respond. Notably, both candidates were allotted eight wildcards—30-second opportunities to elaborate on topics or introduce new points during the debate.

As the debate commenced, Lawson was prompted to reflect on her legislative achievements, setting the stage for a discussion on her past work in the legislature. The audience was reminded to refrain from applause until the conclusion of the event, ensuring a focused atmosphere for the candidates to present their platforms.

This debate marks a critical opportunity for voters to assess the candidates' positions and qualifications ahead of the upcoming election, as both Lawson and Coogan seek to connect with constituents on pressing local issues.