At an otherwise light-hearted forum on Wednesday, five candidates seeking to represent the 3rd supervisorial district sparred over many Isla Vista issues, environmental protection laws, and fracking.
Moderator Shane Stark, a former county counsel, conveyed an informal tone at the League of Women Voters–sponsored event, and the candidates — Jay Freeman, Bob Field, Joan Hartmann, Karen Jones, and Bruce Porter — appeared comfortable in front of the crowd of 50 or so at the Isla Vista Elementary School.
Despite the ease, a League rule forbidding candidates from attacking each other was broken a few times. Jones — far-right, anti–big government, and an unpaid music promoter in the valley — has made it clear she entered this race to batter Porter, an army veteran who is backed by conservatives.