WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - The Woodland League will be sponsoring two candidate forums in advance of the November 5 presidential election. 

The first candidate forum, for Woodland City Council Districts 4 and 5, will start at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30. The candidates are Fred Lopez and David Moreno for District 4 and Chukwunedum (Chuck) Amajioyi and Mayra Vega for District 5. 

The second forum, for California State Senate District 3, is set for Thursday, Oct. 3, also starting at 6:30 p.m. The candidates are Thom Bogue and Christopher Cabaldon. This forum is co-sponsored by the Woodland and Davis Area Leagues. 

Both forums on Sept. 30 and Oct. 3 will be held at the Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East Street. 

The forums will focus on candidate qualifications and visions for their respective positions while in office. 

Questions will be prepared by League representatives and written questions will be accepted from the audience, but no voice questions or statements will be allowed. No campaign literature or paraphernalia such as signs, T-shirts, hats, buttons, etc. will be allowed inside the meeting room. 

Candidate for Woodland City Council District 4 (forum to be held Sept. 30), Fred Lopez, is a long-time Woodland resident and business owner. He has served on the city’s Planning Commission since 2008, where he says he has “gained invaluable knowledge and experience while serving our community.” If elected, he states he will “remain dedicated to addressing public safety, tackling homelessness, and advocating for more affordable housing options for our residents.”

David Moreno describes himself as being a “dedicated candidate” with a “deep-rooted passion for public service and community development.” As a first-generation college student, he earned degrees in Political Science and Sociological Organizational Studies from UC Davis. He has worked with the city’s Woodland-Economic Development Team, and is presently serves as an Assistant to Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy.

As a candidate for Woodland City Council District 5, Chukwunedum (Chuck) Amajioyi is a small business owner. He and his family moved from Davis to Woodland in 2014. He is a published author, having written books on American politics, world politics and international relations. Amajioy has said that if elected he would work to bring a middle school and new fire station to District 5 “which are very much needed due to the increasing population in the district,” as well as work toward a balanced budget.

Mayra Vega has worked in healthcare for over 20 years, with a focus on strategic planning, business development, and program development for community and regional hospitals. Ms. Vega attended Napa Valley College and transferred to UC Davis. She earned a BA degree in Economics from UC Davis and an MBA from Sonoma State University. She most recently served as president of the Woodland Luna Vista Rotary Club for 2023-2024. 

Vega says city residents “deserve innovative leadership that balances a broad variety of perspectives” with her priorities being developing a safe, healthy and active community, accessible quality housing, integrated and inclusive community planning, and promoting sustainable development.

Candidate for the Oct. 3 forum for California State Senate District 3, Thom Bogue currently owns an automative repair shop in Dixon. Bogue faced significant challenges after surviving the tragic incidents in 1978 related to Jonestown in Guyana. More recently, Bogue has served on the Dixon City Council and later as the city’s Mayor. Through these roles he provides assistance to young individuals struggling with drug addiction and individuals facing financial challenges.

Bogue states “I am committed to bringing my experiences and dedication to serve individuals and our communities to the state level, regardless of party affiliation. It’s very simple, I represent everyone in being a people’s person.”

Christopher Cabaldon has degrees in Environmental Economics from UC Berkeley and Public Policy and Administration from CSU Sacramento. In addition to being West Sacramento’s longest-serving mayor, Cabaldon has chaired the Yolo County Health Commission and was appointed to serve as California’s representative on the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education. He currently serves as the Hazel Cramer Endowed Chair and Professor of Public Policy and Administration for CSU Sacramento. 

If elected, Cabaldon’s focus will be on building a stronger economy, building housing and preserving communities, addressing the homeless crisis, protecting the environment, expanding access to education, and keeping communities safe.

Woodland TV (Channel 21) will be videotaping the events and livestreaming them on their YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/live/aS4w39e1M-I for the Woodland City Council forum and https://youtube.com/live/PnRXRZkPJM0 for the California State Senate forum. Links to the videos will also be available on the League of Women Voters of Woodland website at https://my.lwv.org/california/woodland.

The Woodland League of Women Voters is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, and is continuing to work to achieve its goal of voter outreach and education this election. 

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, grassroots, national organization, dedicated to local voter education and empowering citizens to shape better communities for more than 100 years. The views of the candidates do not necessarily reflect the views of the League of Women Voters.