Sacramento State played host to a mayoral debate featuring candidates Darrell Steinberg, Angelique Ashby and Tony Lopez on Monday, May 9 in the University Union Ballroom.

The debate, which took place from 3-4 p.m., featured questions from a panel as well as questions from the general public. Among the topics the debate broached were: Sacramento State and higher education; equal pay; rapidly rising rents; and hot-button topics such as gun control and the legalization of marijuana within the state of California.

“As mayor of Sacramento, there are a lot of things I plan to do,” Lopez said. “I would like to see a big change in jobs increasing, and house our homeless, which I have a plan for. I have a four-point plan that I could do starting today.”

Because the debate was held at Sac State, the candidates also fielded questions about how to make Sacramento a hospitable city for current and former students alike.

“My son is a student here, and I want him to be self-sustaining and have a house after he graduates,” Ashby said. “I think the key to this issue is two-fold — we need to work with the universities to not just recruit jobs but to grow jobs in the industries and fields that the schools are working with. The second piece is affordable housing, Sacramento needs more housing all across the spectrum to alleviate problems throughout.”

Candidates were also taken to task regarding the issue of pay equality in Sacramento in which Ashby shared his frustration.

“Most of you know I am the only woman left on city council… recently some of my colleagues led an effort called pay equity and they never once talked about gender,” Ashby said. “What about gender equity and pay, and it was ignored — this is the reason why women need to get more involved.”

Steinberg weighed in on the topic of gun control during the debate.

“I am opposed to concealed weapons permits. I think we have far too many guns out on the streets,” Steinberg said. “I would like to see us go in the opposite direction. I will continue to use my voice and influence to say that we need fewer guns.”

Ashby shared her thoughts on the controversy surrounding marijuana.

“I am not in favor of legalizing marijuana,” Ashby said. “I think it is a bad precedent for California… that being said, as a city governance we have to be responsive and address the public safety concerns that come along with it.”

The debate ended with closing remarks from the candidates.

“I am here because of the city of Sacramento,” Lopez said. “I don’t have no big names in my back pocket… I work for you. You are the ones keeping me here — I want the endorsement for the people of Sacramento.”

For more information about the candidates and their platforms, visit the following websites: http://www.steinberg4sac.com/ (Darrell Steinberg), http://www.angeliqueashby.com/ (Angelique Ashby), and http://tonythetigerformayor.com/home/ (Tony Lopez)