{"id":336781,"date":"2026-05-29T00:53:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T00:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/336781\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T00:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T00:53:13","slug":"district-5-candidates-kerr-and-riggi-compete-for-the-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/336781\/","title":{"rendered":"District 5 candidates Kerr and Riggi compete for the seat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Affordable housing, noise ordinances, and Olympic preparations were some of the topics discussed during the District 5 City Council Debate on May 20.<\/p>\n

The debate was hosted at the Expo Arts Center in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach, which is in District 5. Incumbent Megan Kerr and challenger Tara Riggi answered a set of presubmitted questions from community members. Former Executive Director of the Grunion Gazette Harry Saltzgaver moderated the debate.<\/p>\n

Before Kerr became the District 5 councilmember in December 2022, she served the Long Beach Unified School District for eight years as a Board of Education member<\/a>. Meanwhile, Riggi has not previously held political office and is the current president of the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association.<\/a> Both candidates are running as non-partisan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Megan Kerr, district 5 incumbent candidate, speaks to the audience in-person and online about budget, safety and the Olympics during the Long Beach District 5 City Council Debate on May 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"\"Tara Riggi, who is currently running for district 5, discusses with the audience about what she\u2019d do with the budget and Long Beach Airport if elected during the District 5 City Council Debate on May 20, 2026 at the Expo Arts Center. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune) <\/p>\n

The night began with introductions, where both Riggi and Kerr introduced their platform and gave a glimpse into the promises they intend to keep with their community.<\/p>\n

Kerr spoke about the accomplishments she made during her first term as councilmember, from 2022 to 2026, and the connection she has with the District 5 community.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince I first ran for office, I held to three things: I will not lie to you to earn your vote. I will not make a promise that I cannot keep to earn your vote. And I\u2019m always open to having conversations because adults can respectfully disagree and come up with different solutions,\u201d said Kerr in her opening statement.<\/p>\n

Riggi expressed her desire to fulfill the financial needs of the district.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m running\u2026because I believe District 5 deserves leadership that\u2019s accessible, that\u2019s accountable, that\u2019s fiscally responsible, and leadership that doesn\u2019t blame everyone else for their failures,\u201d said Riggi.<\/p>\n

\"\"Right after the District 5 City Council Debate, Tara Riggi, challenger, gets flooded with community members introducing themselves to her and answering questions the community has on May 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

The audience in attendance filled the Expo Arts Center. There were more attendees than there were seats, so many people either stood up or found a spot to sit on the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Riggi and Kerr had different ideas regarding the \u201ctwo most pressing issues\u201d facing District 5 residents. Riggi expressed \u201cpublic safety and quality of life\u201d as top priorities, while Kerr argued that city budgeting and infrastructure were at the top of her list.<\/p>\n

Addressing homelessness and the need for affordable housing were broached in several questions. Both candidates expressed the need to address homelessness by improving mental health and substance abuse resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need real solutions to focus on mental health, addiction treatment, and long-term stability, not just for housing, but also demanding accountability for taxpayer dollars,\u201d said Riggi.<\/p>\n

\"\"After the District 5 City Council Debate was over, Megan Kerr, incumbent, speaks with Long Beach residents and attendees on May 20, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Kerr emphasized both preventative measures and the need for housing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to spend dollars is to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place,\u201d Kerr said. \u201cWe need housing at every level.\u201d<\/p>\n

The debate had multiple moments of contention. At one point, Kerr questioned Riggi\u2019s claims that she encountered a homeless shelter in downtown Long Beach that was turning people away despite having open beds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMy opponent can say whatever she wants, and not necessarily get fact-checked, but I need to say what\u2019s right and what\u2019s true,\u201d Kerr said.<\/p>\n

At another point in the debate, Riggi called out Kerr directly, saying Kerr falsely claimed she was responsible for the Orange Avenue Backbone Bikeway Project, an initiative that Riggi said the Cal Heights Neighborhood Association did \u201cnot feel heard about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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