Need help learning more about the candidates vying for the 33rd state Senate district seat?

Three events in Long Beach scheduled this month will be open to the public, giving constituents a chance to hear directly from the candidates and even ask questions themselves.

Candidate brunch

The first event is a low-key candidate brunch this Saturday, Feb. 16, hosted by community activist Dan Pressburg at his historic Long Beach Dairy and Creamery house, 167 E. South St. All candidates are welcome and can choose to answer (or decline to answer) questions from the public and media.

The event starts at 9:30 a.m. and is sponsored by North Long Beach neighborhood associations. For more information click here.

‘Women Rising’

The second event is called “Women Rising: A Panel of Women in the Race to Lead SD33” and will focus on the Democratic women in the race.

It will include South Gate Councilwoman Denise Diaz, Long Beach Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, Bell Councilwoman Ana Maria Quintana and Central Basin Water District member Leticia Vasquez-Wilson.

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, who recently announced her intention to run for Long Beach’s 8th Council District seat in 2020, will moderate the panel.

The event is hosted by the Democratic political action committee California Women’s List and is co-hosted by Latinas Lead California, Long Beach Democratic Club, Long Beach Young Democrats and Democratic Women’s Study Club of Long Beach.

It will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25 at The Firkin Pub & Grill, 3411 E. Broadway.

It’s free to attend but organizers ask that the public RSVPs here.

Beer & Politics

The third event will be held as part of Liberation Brewing’s monthly Beer & Politics forum.

The “Beer & Politics: 33rd State Senate District Candidate Forum” will feature Diaz, Gonzalez, Quintana and Vasquez-Wilson along with Bell Councilman Ali Saleh and Lynwood Councilman Jose Luis Solache.

Organizers will encourage the public to ask questions (and drink beer).

The event will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Liberation Brewing, 3630 Atlantic Ave. For more information click here.

A total of 13 names will appear on the ballot, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office. It includes 8th District Councilman Al Austin who dropped out of the race weeks ago.

Other listed candidates include:

Thomas Jefferson Cares (Democratic Party)

Cesar Flores (Green Party)

Martha Flores Gibson (Republican Party)

Chris Garcia (Democratic Party)

Jack Guerrero (Republican Party)

Honor Robson (Libertarian Party)

The special election for the seat, which was left vacant by Ricardo Lara after he was elected state insurance commissioner in November, is scheduled for March 26.

District 33 includes the cities and communities of Cudahy, Bell, Bell Gardens, Lynwood, Maywood, Signal Hill, Paramount, South Gate, Vernon, Walnut Park, Huntington Park, and most of Long Beach with portions of the cities of Lakewood and Los Angeles.