Casino a hot topic in debate

State Senate candidates Carole Migden and Joe Nation said Thursday they oppose efforts to open a casino near Rohnert Park, while Mark Leno said there is little legislators can do about it.

Speaking at a candidates forum in Mill Valley, Migden and Nation said they're categorically against the casino proposal by the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria.

Although he raised questions about the effects on water and traffic, Leno said the tribe had congressional approval and there was little that could be done on a state level to stop it.

"One can yell and scream and beat one's chest," Leno said. "But the fact is, it's not in our hands."

Leno, a San Francisco assemblyman, and Nation, a former assemblyman from San Rafael, are challenging Migden, who is seeking her second Senate term in the 3rd state Senate district, which stretches as far north as Santa Rosa.

The Rohnert Park casino question came in a portion of the forum in which the moderator allowed each candidate to ask a question of the others.

Nation asked the others their opinions of the casino, citing his opposition.

Supporters of the Graton tribe held a fund-raiser for Leno, who answered that people should seek a change in federal law if they oppose the casino. But if the issue comes before the state Legislature, he said questions would have to be answered about the impacts before he could cast a vote.

Migden was unequivocal, saying the casino would be wrong for the North Bay. "At least two out of three of us are opposed," she said, gesturing to Nation.

The forum at the Redwoods retirement community drew 50- 100 people, mostly seniors. Candidates also talked about their positions on the state budget, the environment, health care, transportation and education.

Migden brought the issue of gender into her re-election battle, asking her two male challengers to justify their efforts to unseat a woman in the male-dominated Legislature.

The question drew a sharp response from Leno and an amused quip from Nation.

"I don't think it does any justice to either sex that one should support me because of the nature of my genitalia," Leno said.

Nation responded: "This is the first debate I've ever attended where the g-word was used."

Migden clarified that people shouldn't vote for her because she's a woman, "but don't throw me out because I'm one, too."

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 521-5250 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.