The Alumni & Visitors Center at the University of California, Riverside was packed on Thursday, April 23rd, as more than 100 residents gathered for one of the city's first ward-specific candidate forums. Hosted by Riverside's Raincross Gazette, the forum allowed community members — most of whom appeared to be from Ward 2 — to hear directly from the candidates running to represent them on the City Council.
The forum lasted roughly an hour and a half, running from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and was divided into two segments. The first portion featured an open discussion, a 40-minute block in which candidates spoke at length on key issues. The second portion, a rapid-fire round, gave each candidate about a minute to address specific topics relevant to Ward 2.
A wide range of issues were discussed throughout the evening, including homelessness, housing, economic development, and Measure Z. Each candidate offered thoughtful responses, giving attendees a clearer sense of their priorities — while also making their decision process more difficult.
Currently, four candidates are vying for the Ward 2 position, each bringing a distinct background and set of experiences.
Aram Ayra, a graduate of the University of California, Riverside, currently serves as the associate director of development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, a nonprofit focused on mentorship for youth.
Christen Montero, one of the younger candidates, is a Riverside native who graduated from Citrus High School and earned her MBA from the University of Redlands. Since, she has built her career around scaling small businesses, particularly in marketing and software.
Gracie Torres, a chemist, professor, and mother, also serves on the Western Municipal Water District Board — a role she frequently referenced during the forum.
Mike Vahl, the oldest of the candidates, works as a consultant at Suncliff, Inc., a personal care product manufacturing company located in Tacoma, Washington.
Unlike traditional forums that group all candidates together, this ward-specific format was designed to bring the conversation closer to the communities directly affected.
"The goal of this forum is to promote a different kind of conversation," Raincross Gazette Forums Coordinator Sarah Murphey said. "We want to foster a sense of neighborhood in Riverside and create a space where candidates and residents can engage in a way that feels more structured, candid, and organic. The idea is to help residents hear from candidates in a way that feels natural — more like neighbors talking to each other — so the information is easier to understand and connect with."
Many residents came for a similar reason, hoping to use this opportunity to better understand the candidates who are running to represent them in the future.
"For me, it was simple," one resident said. "I don't know much about the candidates in Ward 2, so I wanted to come and learn more about them. Right now, I narrowed it down to two, which is exactly what my goal was in coming here tonight."
Beyond simply informing voters, the forum also allowed residents to observe real-time reactions from the community.
One notable moment occurred during the second half of the forum, when the discussion turned to a $20 million grant proposal that would have converted the Quality Inn on University Avenue to permanent supporting housing. Candidate Gracie Torres remarked that she "didn't see residents speak out" on the issue, prompting an immediate and vocal response from the audience, with many asserting that they had.
Moments like this allowed attendees to gauge not only the candidates' positions, but also the reactions of the community.
Despite this standout exchange, the forum overall was run very smoothly by longtime Enterprise columnist Dan Bernstein, whose moderation balanced a firm yet warm tone.
Many residents expressed that they left the event feeling more informed, a sentiment echoed by the candidates.
"This was one of the best forums I've attended because we were actually able to engage with each other and contrast our differences," candidate Aram Ayra said. "It felt more like a real conversation rather than rehearsed responses."
With additional ward-specific forums scheduled for April 29 and April 30, the initiative aims to continue fostering more direct and localized conversations between candidates and the communities they hope to represent.
Ballots are expected to be mailed to residents beginning May 4.
By Erik Chen
