District 3 Debate Off Due to Communication, Logistical Issues

[Updated | Editor’s Note: This story originally said this event had been canceled. In fact, organizers have now made it clear the event was not officially canceled — however, it will not occur. Organizers instead are planning a different event that is not a debate for the same day and time at a different location.]

A debate between District 3 candidates on Thursday will not happen as planned.

Pasadena Now ran a story on Sunday morning based on a press release announcing plans for the event.

But communication issues apparently plagued the planning process and the “SpeakOUT!” event will not proceed as initially promoted by the Pasadena Community Coalition.

Beyond that, a City official told Pasadena Now that the group did not have the required permit to hold the event. 

Incumbent Justin Jones is facing Brandon Lamar in the race for the District 3 seat.

Both candidates appeared at a forum last Sunday in Garfield Heights. 

The candidates applied for the seat twice after the seat became vacant when Councilman John Kennedy died in 2022.

Kennedy’s death left two vacancies on the City Council, one for the remainder of Kennedy’s then-current term, and another for the term he ran shortly before he died.

Kennedy was first elected as the District 3 council member in 2013.

The City Charter calls for the City Council to appoint a replacement if the mayor or a councilmember cannot conclude their term.

The City Council twice appointed Jones, the first time from a field of three that also included Lamar and Pastor Lucious Smith.

The second time, Lamar backed out of the running for the seat the night the City Council was due to make the appointment, which left the incumbent Jones as the sole applicant for the seat.

The winner of the March 5 election will represent District 3 for two years.

Voters then will elect a Councilmember to a full year term in 2026.

Jones’ appointments led to calls to calls to change the charter process. The process could go to the voters as part of the pending charter reform process. 

According to the city’s website, District 3 is bounded by the 210 Freeway, Colorado Boulevard, Lake Avenue, El Molino Avenue, Orange Grove Boulevard, Los Robles Avenue, Fair Oaks Avenue, Marengo Avenue, Mountain Street, Jackson Street, El Molino Avenue, Ladera Avenue, and Washington Boulevard.