Three seeking 47th Assembly District field questions Christy Holstege
If 86 more people — fewer than the average major college football team — voted for Christy Holstege two years ago, she’d be in Sacramento right now.
Instead, the Democrat and Palm Springs city councilmember came up 85 votes short — one of the tightest margins in California history — in losing to Republican Greg Wallis in the 2022 race for the 47th Assembly District seat.
Wallis, R-bermuda Dunes, will have to overcome Holstege and Democrat Jamie Swain if he’s to win another two-year term representing the 47th, which includes Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Yucaipa, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Yucca Valley and parts of Redlands, Highland and San Jacinto.
The top two vote-getters in the March 5 primary election for the 47th, regardless of party, will advance to the November general election.
We asked Holstege, Swain and Wallis about why they’re running and what they see as the biggest challenges facing the district. Here’s what they said.
Age: 37
Occupation: Palm Springs city councilmember/business owner
Why are you the best candidate to represent this district?
As a working mom and a city councilmember, I have led the way on the most important issues impacting California: building a strong economy, supporting local businesses, improving access to affordable healthcare, investing in education and public safety, and securing state funding for housing and homelessness.
What are the three biggest challenges facing this district?
The most important issues are 1. lowering our everyday cost of living, 2. building out our transportation, education and healthcare systems to support our growing population and 3. supporting sustainable economic development and growth across the region that creates goodpaying jobs and benefits our workers, families, and small businesses.
What specific ideas do you have to meet these challenges?
We urgently need to secure our fair share of state resources. I will champion building out our infrastructure, reducing costs for working families, funding a local California State University, and addressing the fentanyl epidemic. I will deliver real results for our region by delivering state funding to transform our communities.
Jamie Swain
Age: 47
Occupation: Truck driver, real estate agent, law school and masonry student
Why are you the best candidate to represent this district?
I’m committed to listening to the people that live and work in our communities to solve the problems plaguing our neighborhoods. I will work across party lines as well as support all law enforcement agencies to ensure that they are well trained and paid for the hard work they do.
What are the three biggest challenges facing this district?
Crime against hard-working citizens and business owners is a huge problem. I will fight to ensure that anyone committing crimes gets prosecuted. It’s time that we stop sympathizing with criminals and support our local businesses and stop the obstacle courses one must go through to obtain funding.
What specific ideas do you have to meet these challenges?
I will continue to work with community leaders, school officials and local churches in all districts to support mental health institutions and place drug counselors in our high schools. Providing students with extra resources if they’re struggling with addiction or coping with someone suffering from drug addiction.
Greg Wallis
Age: 33 Occupation: Assemblymember
Why are you the best candidate to represent this district?
I reach across the aisle and figure out where we have common ground to get things done. That’s why I joined the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus — good ideas come from different kinds of people, we shouldn’t limit solutions just because of the R or D next to their name.
What are the three biggest challenges facing this district?
1. Lowering the cost of living and making life more affordable to ensure hardworking people can achieve and maintain economic security.
2. Crime and homelessness lead to dangerous and filthy neighborhoods.
3. Increasing resources for women’s health and well-being.
What specific ideas do you have to meet these challenges?
1. Reduce taxes and make it easier to build homes so affordable housing options are available.
2. Enforce laws, don’t let dangerous people out of prison. Build more shelters, more mental health/ drug treatment, and clean up the camps.
3. Women should have no-cost health services, reproductive education, and equal pay.