Winning Margins, which identifies as a “progressive organization dedicated to rebuilding the Democratic party,” will host a forum on homelessness in Claremont featuring some of the 2018 Claremont city council candidates, including Jennifer Stark, Jed Leano, Edgar Reece, Zachary Courser and Sam Pedroza.

The forum will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 30 in the Founders Room at Pitzer College, McConnell Center, 1050 N. Mills Ave.

Hosted by Claremont City Councilmember Joe Lyons, the forum will explore the policy implications of Measure H, a .25 percent county sales tax approved by voters to fund services to combat homelessness in LA County.

The next city council election will be held November 6, for three seats on the council. The regular nomination period for candidates will officially begin on July 16.

If an incumbent does not file nomination papers during the regular period, nominations for other candidates will be accepted through August 15. For information on running for council, contact the city clerk’s office at (909) 399-5461 or (909) 399-5463.

In October of 2017, the current council voted 3-2 to move Claremont’s election from March to November 2018. The move shortened the incumbents’ terms by four months, including Mr. Pedroza, Mr. Lyons and Opanyi Nasiali. The date change was implemented to comply with a new state law aimed at increasing voter turnout by combining state and municipal elections.

The organizers of the forum are current and former Pitzer and Pomona College students, including Winning Margins co-founder Michael Ceraso.

“LA County took a bold stance last fall and voted to allocate money to this pressing issue,” Mr. Ceraso said. “But municipal government and local stakeholders have a vital role to play in overseeing the process, and making sure that the non-governmental partners implementing the program are cooperating effectively.”

“Combining the experience of angel investors and former Obama and Sanders presidential campaign leaders, Winning Margins is supporting state parties as they fundraise and build campaigns that will be successful in 2018 and become the foundation of a long-term winning Democratic Party,” a press release stated. To RSVP for the forum, email info@winningmargins.biz.