Albuquerque's mayoral candidates will answer questions tonight during a campus forum about community issues.
College Democrats, College Republicans and the Pre-Law Association are cosponsoring the forum tonight at 7 p.m. in Woodward Hall, Room 101, featuring all of the candidates except Mayor Jim Baca, who will send a representative in his place.
College Democrats President Brian Eagan said he thinks the event will give the UNM community a chance to learn more about those who are running for office.
"Voters will have a more educated opinion when they decide who to vote for in October," he said.
The eight scheduled participants are Alan Armijo, Martin Chavez, Rick Homans, James Lewis, Mike McEntee, Bob Schwartz and Baca's representative.
Eagan said Jim Villanucci, a radio host from 770 KKOB AM, will moderate the forum and ask questions that cover five topics: crime, public safety, taxes and the budget, growth and water supply and economic development. He said that after the candidates address each of the issues, they will be asked about what they intend to do to improve neighborhoods around UNM.
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Eagan said the public can then ask questions.
Armijo is the vice president of the city council and represents district one, Albuquerque's Westside, and is currently in his third term as a city councilor. McEntee is serving his first term in the city council and represents district seven, the Northeast Heights. Chavez is a former Albuquerque mayor.
Lewis was the New Mexico state treasurer from 1985 to 1990 and was then appointed chief of staff to Gov. Bruce King. Schwartz is the former Bernalillo County district attorney, and Homans is the former chief executive officer of Starlight Publishing Co.
Eagan said that the event is free and parking is available in the visitor parking lot across from Popejoy Hall.
The mayoral election is Oct. 2.
