The Riverside Press-Enterprise
District 53 Assembly
crisis. In the state Assembly, I will work to eliminate outdated laws so we can build more housing faster, create good-paying construction jobs, and prioritize housing that is affordable for working families.”
What would you do in the Legislature to address crime in the district?
“I will invest in local police, firefighters and paramedics to reduce emergency response times and keep our neighborhoods safe. I am also committed to expanding after school programs to increase tutoring, mentoring and recreational programs that keep kids off streets, out of trouble and away from drugs and gangs.”
What would you do, if elected, to improve the district’s employment and job prospects?
“I am a former union member and am 100% committed to protecting workers’ rights. In the Assembly, I will fight for good-paying jobs with benefits, safe working conditions, paid family medical leave, equal pay for equal work. And I will always put the interests of working families first.”
Michelle Rodriguez, Democrat
Occupation: Public safety commissioner programs for the trades, and implementing an additional housing development for our area will ensure economic growth.
I support stronger labor agreements that provide a living wage for workers which benefit the entire community.”
What makes you the best choice for voters, rather than your opponents?
“For over 20 years, I’ve devoted my life to public service as a teacher, school administrator, and Etiwanda School District board member, delivering results to strengthen education, keep students safe, and focus on mental health for middle schoolers.
I am a father of three kids who cares deeply about our future.
This community is where I’ve lived and worked for nearly two decades, and I want nothing more than to see our district thrive.”
Dejonaé Shaw, Democrat
Website: Michelleforassembly.com
Campaign donations: $251,071.50 as of Feb. 6
If elected, what would you do to respond to the housing crisis in the district?
“I plan to partner with local groups and government to kick-start programs that stop homelessness before it starts; and keep families in their homes. We need to incentivize building affordable places to live for working class families, boost financial aid for students struggling with housing costs, and push for more affordable housing projects near transit and parks. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, close to their jobs and their family.”
What would you do in the Legislature to address crime in the district?
“Given my background in law enforcement standards and my personal experiences growing up in the 53rd District, public safety is personal for me. I will ensure first responders are fully staffed with the right resources, that
Occupation: Licensed Vocational Nurse
Website:
Shawforassembly.com
Campaign donations:
$499,994 as of Feb. 5
If elected, what would you do to respond to the housing crisis in the district?
“The housing crisis is a mixture of an increasingly growing, working population of people who have been priced out of their homes, combined with individuals suffering from mental health issues that are rooted in substance abuse.
our community services respect cultural differences, and to get neighbors involved in watching out for each other. I also plan to fund community policing initiatives, putting officers back into neighborhoods to build trust and ensure safety for residents and businesses.”
What would you do, if elected, to improve the district’s employment and job prospects?
“Good jobs that pay well are key to solving many of our problems, from living costs to keeping families together. In the Assembly, I’ll be focused on creating a climate that supports our local businesses so they can grow. This will mean supporting programs that connect young people with jobs and skill training, assist small businesses so they can access programs to help them thrive, and protecting the rights of workers.”
Nick Wilson, Republican Occupation:
Law enforcement educator
Website: Nickwilsonca. com
Campaign donations:
Most people are one paycheck away from becoming homeless themselves.
Changing the material conditions in which we live through good paying jobs and affordable homeownership is key.”
What would you do, if elected, to improve the district’s employment and job prospects?
“People in San Bernardino County deserve an economy that is more equitable and creates more opportunities for people to reach the middle class. As $42,908.00 as of Feb. 6
If elected, what would you do to respond to the housing crisis in the district?
“Lower the cost and increase the rate of new construction, reducing state regulation of new housing construction, cut bureaucratic red tape to allow the economy to rebalance. Allow free enterprise to grow economy and remove the excessive policies that have stunted California’s capacity to flourish. I support statewide restrictions on rent control in order to encourage investment in new rental housing. Reduce frivolous litigation that slows the speed and increases the cost of new housing construction.”
What would you do in the Legislature to address crime in the district?
“Work to repeal Prop 47, Prop 57, SB2 (law enforcement decertification). Support law enforcement, allow them to do their jobs without handcuffing them. Criminals must be held accountable, the failed criminal justice experiment has abandoned cops, crime victims and have
a leader in my union, I’ve fought for better wages, safer working conditions, and affordable access to quality health care for people throughout the Inland Empire.
In the Assembly, I will support our workforce development centers and local businesses to train workers, cut bureaucracy, and create new good-paying jobs to grow our local economy.”
What makes you the best choice for voters, rather than your opponents?
“I am a working nurse and leader in my union who fought to improve wages and patient care, and earned a 100% rating with Planned Parenthood.
I’ve worked to improve the local economy with good-paying local jobs and build housing working people and seniors can afford.
I have personally felt the impact of the homelessness crisis and I am endorsed by nurses, educators, and firefighters because I will treat the homelessness and housing affordability crises with the urgency they deserve.”
harmed communities left in sustained fear. Prevent the closure of more prisons and rampant release of inmates. Work with law enforcement to ensure they have the tools they need.”
What would you do, if elected, to improve the district’s employment and job prospects?
“Reduce high taxes and fees on cars, energy, gas and food items that have pushed many Californians to the brink of poverty. Incentivize the construction of new housing, allow more opportunities for homeownership and access to rental housing. Encourage job creation through free enterprise, not subsidies and government regulation; incentivize businesses to stay and invest in California. Promote an economy based on equal opportunities, not outcomes.”
Carlos Goytia, Democrat
Occupation: Division One Director, Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Website: Electcarlosgoytia.com
Campaign donations: $1,000 as of Feb. 6
If elected, what would you do to respond to the housing crisis in the district?
“As a young man, I’ve been unhoused and know the trauma and violence of being housing insecure. Discussion around solutions often focus on a single policy and the issue of wage stagnation is far too
Adam Perez, Democrat
Occupation: Fontana Unified School District board member
Website: Adamperez.org
Campaign donations: $132,840 as of Feb. 5
If elected, what would you do to respond to the housing crisis in the district?
“I believe our housing crisis stems from a drastic lack of housing supply, which has forced housing prices to skyrocket and make housing unaffordable for too many Californians.
Our primary focus should be on building more housing units — including subsidized, affordable, and market rate housing — and reducing red tape that often inhibits our ability to build units affordably and efficiently.”
What would you do, if elected, to improve the district’s employment and job prospects?
“As our region grows, we must prioritize the development of our local economy.
often ignored in the housing debate. Wage stagnation should be included in a comprehensive approach to housing that, as well as affordable housing supply, provides protection for renters to prevent displacement, and promotes economic prosperity for hard working families.”
What would you do in the Legislature to address crime in the district?
“Crime within the youth community was a recurring instance in the City of Pomona, and working with the City Council to support youth programming, including youth sport and youth and adult programs which tremendously helped lower the rate of crime. Expanding on these programs in the state Legislature would allow me to expand on this work for the rest of the 53rd Assembly District.”
What would you do, if elected, to improve the district’s employment and job prospects?
“Creating a trade technology center/campus with environmental sustainability job training programs partnering with various labor unions would simultaneously tackle the increasing urgency for climate change mitigation while addressing the lack of thriving wages. Using my network as a water district director and through the labor community would allow me to get the conversation started.”
I’ll work closely with businesses to encourage innovation, expand our skilled workforce, and create more good-paying local jobs. I also believe we must do more to support students as they enter into the workforce.
That’s why, as a school board member, I spearheaded efforts to get more technology into classrooms, introduced financial literacy and career pathway programs for high schoolers, and expanded STEM programs.”
What makes you the best choice for voters, rather than your opponents?
“I’m running for state Assembly today for the same reason that I enlisted in the Army as high school senior, because I believe in public service and giving back to my community in the most impactful way that I can. As a local school board member, police detective, and combat veteran, I believe that I have the experience needed to fight for San Bernardino County residents and deliver results on issues affecting our daily lives.”