Brad Sherman Ducks Debate

At a Pierce College candidate forum in Woodland Hills last night, Rep. Brad Sherman angrily refused to debate his Republican challenger Peter Hankwitz, claiming that he is more concerned with helping elect Democrats in other districts and other states. In a testy exchange with Hankwitz offstage, Sherman angrily declared, “I’ll debate Doolittle, but I’ll never debate you!” referring to Republican Rep. John Doolittle from northern California.

Peter Hankwitz commented, “I am not surprised that Brad Sherman ducked my challenge for a public debate because he’s been doing that for months. But to tell his own constituents that he didn’t care enough about them or their issues to take the time to debate is shocking. Quite frankly, it is the height of arrogance and a sign that Brad Sherman has been in Washington, D.C. far too long. If I am elected, I will never forget that I work for my neighbors in the 27th District.”

The candidate forum was sponsored by the Women’s Organization Coalition. In addition to speeches by Hankwitz and Sherman, the forum featured discussions on seven statewide ballot initiatives, as well as presentations by Assembly and State Senate Candidates from the San Fernando Valley.

At one point during the program, a frustrated Sherman expressed dismay that Hankwitz was not in lockstep with traditional Republican positions on certain social issues, implying that Hankwitz should switch parties.

Hankwitz stated, “Brad Sherman made it clear last night that he is a politician, not a representative. He has always cared about partisan politics more than he has about the issues facing the San Fernando Valley and that is why he has been so ineffective during his decade in Washington, D.C. I think we can do better and, after last night, I would bet there are about 100 voters in Woodland Hills who think we can do better also.”