State College mayoral candidates Democrat Don Hahn, Republican Michael Black and Independent Ron Madrid fielded questions for 90 minutes Tuesday at the State Theatre.
Hahn, an attorney who has served on the State College Borough Council and its planning commission, said neighborhood sustainability is key. He said students are a great contribution to the community, but he wants to keep non-students too.
“I think we need to maintain a balance," Hahn said.
Hahn beat Black in the Democratic primary. But Black won the Republican nomination with write-in votes.
Black, who started his own business, said he's different than his opponents. He pointed to his work as an artist, business owner and community leader.
“What I bring that they don’t is real life experience and leadership by example,” Black said.
Madrid countered with his experience attending the U.S. Naval Academy and serving as an officer in the Marine Corps before retiring and working at Penn State Applied Research Lab.
“Leadership is what I do and have done for the last 44 years of my adult life,” Madrid said.
The election is Nov. 7.
