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A scheduled sheriff candidate forum sponsored by Thrive Alliance has been canceled after San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos abruptly withdrew from the forum, according to a release from Thrive Alliance.
“I regret to have to inform you that we must cancel the planned forum,” Thrive Alliance said in a statement. “Although we had previously received confirmation from Sheriff Bolanos’ campaign that he would join us, he has recently decided to withdraw from the forum.”
In a statement to the Pulse, Bolanos said he “pulled out of the forum based upon biased comments made by one of the sponsors and a lack of trust of an objective forum.”
“I had initially agreed to do two forums with the League of Women Voters who ran a great forum,” Bolanos said. “As you know, I answered all of their questions, and they ran out of questions. I am not exactly sure how Thrive became involved but did not see any value in participating in the (May 12) forum.”
He added: “I would refer anyone interested in the election to view the tape of the League of Women Voters forum on YouTube.”
Millbrae Police Chief and Sheriff’s Capt. Christina Corpus called it a “lost opportunity.” She said she would still be willing to participate in the forum if it was held.
“I don’t think it’s fair, because I really believe that (the forum) gives voters an opportunity to show who you are,” she said. “This is about the people and the voters, and I really feel that they should be clear about who they decide to vote for. This was an opportunity for both of us to show who we are and what our values are. The voters got short-changed here.”
The online forum, scheduled for May 12, would have been the second forum against his opponent. That forum took place on Wednesday, April 27 at the Redwood City Woman’s Club.
A spokesperson for Thrive Alliance did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the statement made by Bolanos.
Read Bolanos’ answers to a questionnaire here.
Read Corpus’ answers to a questionnaire here.
