CASINO A HOT TOPIC IN DEBATE:INCUMBENT MIGDEN, NATION OPPOSE PROJECT IN STATE SENATE FORUM

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.