SAN DIEGO — With the election just over six months away, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association looks to learn more about the candidates for San Diego Mayor.
To do so, the taxpayers association will hold a mayoral forum on April 24 from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at The University Club in downtown San Diego.
LIVE STREAM: Watch the event on April 24 at 5 p.m. in this story or on CBS8+, free on your favorite streaming device.
San Diego Police Officer and first-time mayoral candidate Larry Turner will be participating in the question-and-answer forum. Missing from the action, however, will be current mayor Todd Gloria, who was unable to attend this event.
While the in-person attendance is full, CBS 8 will live-stream the forum for the community to watch at 5 p.m.
The forum, says San Diego County Taxpayer Association president and CEO, Haney Hong, is an important opportunity for the public and democracy as a whole.
"The forum is straightforward and is no different than an opportunity to talk to the candidates about taxpayer initiatives, said Hong. "More ideas and more dialogue for voters to hear is always a good thing and that's what we hope to accomplish."
Hong says that while the association does not endorse candidates, it does want to give time to both candidates and had initially wanted a debate between incumbent Gloria and Turner.
"We tried for and wanted a debate," said Hong.
Mayor Gloria's campaign told CBS 8: “Mr. Hong advertised this forum without ever receiving confirmation that Mayor Gloria could attend. The election is still more than six months away. Mayor Gloria plans to debate at a later time when the electorate is most interested in this race.”
Hong added, "It's disappointing that the voters and our members won't have the opportunity to hear from both candidates but at the end of the day, Larry Turner is one of two people running for mayor and we wanted to keep the discussion going."
"Democracy is open for debate and hearing that debate should be encouraged. That’s how we grow. We have two candidates, and it shouldn't be difficult to schedule something less than four months out," said Hong who also said his team may try to make a later date work to accommodate the mayor's schedule.
WATCH: San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, mayor candidate Larry Turner cast ballots in March 2024 primary election:
