Gilmore, Florez to appear at Hanford NAACP event

Kings County residents will have an early opportunity next month to learn about the two candidates competing for the seat in California State Assembly's 30th District, which includes Kings County. Republican Danny Gilmore, a retired California High Patrol officer from Hanford, and his Democratic contender Fran Florez, a mayor pro tem of Bakersfield, are scheduled to speak in Hanford on May 19.

At the invitation of the Hanford NAACP, they are promoting their platforms to members of local civil rights group.

The NAACP general assembly will be held at the Mustard Seed Church, 500 E. Florinda St., Hanford, starting 7 p.m. The meeting is open to the general public.

The two candidates -- who have no opposition in the June primary -- will battle to fill the South Valley seat currently held by Democrat Nicole Parra, who will term out at the end of the year. The election is in November.

This race is Gilmore's second attempt to win the seat. Florez, the mother of state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, hopes to win the seat which has traditionally gone to a Democratic candidate.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(May 2, 2008)