NAACP Provides Opportunities to Hear from Local Candidates

The local NAACP Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County is hosting city council and congressional candidates in three separate events in August and September. Everyone is invited to attend. Mary Venerable, Board Member Emeritus of the branch, is the organizer behind these events. Over the course of several weeks, Mary reached out personally to each of the congressional candidates for Districts 39, 41 and 48 of both parties, inviting them to a community forum to present their platforms and hear audience questions. Two of the six candidates responded with affirmation of their ability to attend. The smaller number of candidates available resulted in a change of plans from the original larger forum envisioned. The branch will host each of the candidates at their monthly meetings for August and September.

The first candidate, Stephen Houlahan, will present his platform on August 24 at the General Membership meeting of the branch. The location is Grace & Truth Worship Ministry, 31620 Auto Center Drive, Lake Elsinore. The meeting begins at 11:30am and ends at 12:30pm. Anyone interested in hearing from Mr. Houlahan -- especially those who live in the Congressional District 48 which covers Murrieta and Temecula -- are welcome to attend, regardless of political affiliation. This event is an opportunity for anyone to hear the candidate’s views and ask questions. An opportunity to attend online will also be available.

On August 28, NAACP Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County is hosting a City Council Candidates Forum at 6-8pm at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street. City Council candidates from Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Norco and Perris will be presenting their platforms and answering audience questions.

The last of the candidate events will take place on September 28 when the branch hosts congressional candidate for District 41, Will Rollins, during the Monthly General Membership meeting. The location is Grace & Truth Worship Ministry, 31620 Auto Center Drive, Lake Elsinore. The meeting begins at 11:30am and ends at 12:30pm. Anyone interested in hearing from Mr. Rollins -- especially those who live in the Congressional District 41 which covers Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Corona -- are welcome to attend, regardless of political affiliation. An opportunity to attend online will also be available.

With the upcoming election on November 5, this is an opportunity for constituents to meet their candidates and hear from them in person. If there are any questions, please contact the NAACP Branch 1034 organizer Mary Venerable at 951-443-4551 or the Branch at 951-387-8848.

The mission of the NAACP is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

Please visit the NAACP Branch 1034 website for more information and to join our branch. We represent the communities of Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Corona, Norco, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Menifee and Perris. We welcome everyone to get involved. naacpbranch1034.org