The Paper | Calendar | |Businesses | Attractions | Nightlife | Resources | Gay Links | Home Local Candidates Court Gay Vote by Ken D. Dietz Candidates running for office in local elections met with members of the Peninsula Professional Network (PPN) July 8th in Del Rey Oaks. Each candidate was given time to present their views on various issues, then fielded questions from PPN members. Phil Chavez is a local Republican running against incumbent Fred Keeley for State Assembly. Chavez characterized himself as someone who was "standing up for the individual" against groups vying for politicos' attention. Chavez is for stronger drug enforcement, noting that heroin addiction in Santa Cruz is three times the national average. He is also for increasing school funding, and supports the creation of charter schools and the use of school vouchers. Alan Styles, former mayor of Salinas, said that he views "constituents as partners." A 29-year resident of Salinas, Styles is a Democrat and is also strong on education. His concern is spread equally between looking after the well-being of the state and local communities. Styles hopes to leverage his years of experience as mayor if he is elected. Styles is running against arch-conservative and anti-gay incumbent Peter Frusetta. Fred Keeley, who is running for re-election to State Assembly, was unable to attend. Keeley and sent his representative Gary Shallcross in his stead. Shallcross, who is also a PPN member, said, "As a gay man, I'm proud to be working for Fred." Shallcross mentioned that Keeley has a strong record of supporting gay issues, having lead the Santa Cruz boycott of Colorado after the passing of anti-gay Proposition 2 and supported establishing domestic partnership benefits for Santa Cruz County employees. Keeley is also one of the few candidates to mention his gay supporters regularly at non-gay political events. Although most of the questions dealt with non-gay issues, Styles voiced his concern over the lack of a visible gay community in Salinas. "I know we have a gay community in Salinas but we don't hear from you". Styles said that he would welcome input from representatives of the gay community.