By admin 
The first debate between U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, I-Rocklin, and former state Sen. Richard Pan in the race for the Sacramento region’s 6th Congressional District has been scheduled.
Read more Elk Grove Library to close this weekend as move to new location begins
Kiley and Pan will participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce and moderated by FOX40 anchor Nikki Laurenzo. The two-hour forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 8 at the Johnson Hall in Roseville. The event is open to the public and tickets are $35, according to online posting.
The Roseville candidate forum could be one of several upcoming debates in the newly drawn 6th District, which includes West Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin and communities north and east of Sacramento.
Last month, Kiley challenged Pan to five debates in the months leading up to the general election. Pan’s campaign had said the former California senator looked forward to debating Kiley, though did not specify if he would accept the proposal to hold five of them.
“We’re going to have an ongoing conversation, right, and that’s what most important that voters know who they get to vote for and what each of us stand for,” Pan told ABC 10 when asked about Kiley’s challenge earlier this month.
Both candidates have framed the race as a test of ideology for the region’s future.
Read more Katie Porter says she’s done with politics. California shouldn’t let her go | Opinion
Kiley has attacked Pan’s legislative record on school policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and alignment with the Democratic Party, while portraying himself as an independent voice. Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines during his time in Legislature for leading the state’s efforts to toughen school vaccine requirements.
“He just wants another government job,” Kiley said at a news conference last month. “He just wants to go to D.C. and press whatever button party leaders tell him to press.”
Pan’s critiques have focused on Kiley’s long history with the Republican Party before announcing his switch to an independent earlier this year. Kiley was a chief antagonist of Gov. Gavin Newsom during his time in the Legislature, earned an endorsement from President Donald Trump and has largely voted in favor of GOP policies in the House.
“Kevin Kiley clearly is trying to obfuscate who he is, what he stands for with the voters, and we’ll be sure to remind people to look through that obfuscation,” Pan said last month at his news conference.
Political experts view Pan as the favorite in the 6th District, which is Democratic-leaning.
Read more Katie Porter says she’s done with politics. California shouldn’t let her go | Opinion