Letters to the EDITOR

The evidence

I am not voting for Jess Phoenix to represent the 25th district because she is a woman, though we certainly need to see equal representation in Congress. I am not voting for Jess Phoenix for the 25th because she is a scientist, even though we need scientists in Congress who can understand the complex issues our society faces as robots and artificial intelligence displace workers, and global warming shapes our foreign and domestic policy.

I am voting for Jess Phoenix because with a background in science she looks at the hard evidence, and makes a sound decision based on the facts ...... whatever the problem at hand. And because she does not accept funding from big moneyed interests, Jess Phoenix is not beholden to them and how those moneyed interests want their Representative to vote.

I am voting for Jess Phoenix because she is the only candidate that has articulated a clear vision for the economic prosperity of the 25th district. She wants to capitalize on the district’s historical strengths in aerospace and engineering along with the new found energy in biotech to create an emerging center of green technology. Part of that vision involves bringing a California State University to the district, which would bring jobs, education, and become a driver for new growth.

Steve Knight is utterly lacking in vision and has actually cost the district funding. And then there are Katie Hill and Brian Caforio, whose sniping and finger pointing at each other make them seem like 2 bald men fighting over a comb. No thank you.

Level headed, fact based decision making, a clearly articulated vision for the future of the district, an amazing public speaker, these are just some of the reasons I am voting for Jess Phoenix. And heck, if volcano scientist Jess Phoenix can stand next to the molten lava to do her day job, I figure reaching across the aisle to find common ground in Congress is a piece of cake. Jeff Knowlton

Newhall

Vote for her

We (you and I and pretty much every other Jess supporter) keep on running into people who say “Jess is so awesome”, and that fills us with joy because we know Jess is a fighter, an amazing candidate, and will be without a doubt an astonishing representative for the families of this district. Yet, these folks are supporting Katie Hill or Bryan Caforio, and so I’m here to tell you all, if Jess is — in your words — “so awesome”, then vote for her.

In our local race we have a uniquely qualified candidate who all of us find not only palatable, but inspiring and transformative. Center and Left (and facts-acknowledging conservatives) appreciate her message, her platform, her campaign style, and her vision for our community. The registered Greens like her because she’s an environmentalist champion. The Peace and Freedom folks like her because she’s for bringing evidence and facts to the lawmaking process. The thousands of folks who voted in the ‘16 Primary and then stayed at home for the General like her, because they know she’s a powerful progressive. She has what it takes to unify our Democrats and every other political critter who cares about human decency, science, progress, healthcare, education, jobs, and will fight for our community.

This November 6 I want to vote FOR someone, not just hold my nose and having to vote AGAINST Knight. That someone is Jess. And I know I’m not the only one.

If you think Jess is so awesome, then stop making up excuses and vote for her. Raven Yule

Castaic

Supporting Republicans

Normally I do not participate in preelection comments re: candidates. Lately all letters and comments have been by writers with whom I do not agree. Why are theirs the only opinions worth reading?

Our 25th Congressional District covers a large and varied population. Congressman Steve Knight has represented us excellently in Washington DC. When he also supports our President Trump, that is a bonus, indeed.

There are so few policies and proposals of the “left” (“liberals”, “progressives”) in Washington that are worthwhile, in my opinion. They are dominated by the Haters and the Mockers. Even more so, the Sacramento majority that has been running and ruining our magnificent state of California for too many years is shameful. So I pray that the voters of Santa Clarita (and California) will support Republican incumbents and candidates. We deserve them. Glenda Johnson

Santa Clarita

Science on her side

I’m supporting Jess Phoenix because her scientific background as a volcanologist makes her the perfect representative to combat climate change. The annual fires in California have been getting worse every single year due to our land being sucked dry of water. The heat is lasting longer and it is getting more intense every year. In 2017, the fires nearly burned down my house. Californians need to elect representatives that will aggressively fight against the oil and gas lobbyist and the Koch Brothers. Jess Phoenix is the perfect candidate to stand up and fight for us. Brandon Quintero

Castaic

Missing an event

Democrats, Independents, and most likely some Republicans in our area have been giving Republican Congressman Steve Knight a great deal of grief for not doing town halls and not showing up for his constituents. A vivid example was his notorious absence at the Congressional debate on April 28 in Newhall. Hence it’s expected that the Democrats running to replace him be present at the public appearances to address issues for all members of our community, just to start making a difference.

Unfortunately, Katie Hill skipped a candidate forum that was hosted by various Latino organizations. It was the only bilingual forum that offered the best opportunity to reach out to Latino voters. Needless to say this was very disappointing for Latino voters not to hear from. Hill about the major issues that are our concern as a community. Even more disappointing was finding out that she had been at a fundraiser with rich donors in West LA.

While I’m not upset at Mr. Knight for putting his wealthy donors over us, as that is his nature, I’m surprised and extremely disappointed at Katie Hill for her complete disregard of one sector of the population that could make a difference for her in this election. This makes very difficult for me to support Hill when she’s showing a considerable neglect for the Latino community.

Sergio A. D’Agustini

Newhall

Visionary candidate

With the rise of a president like Donald Trump, our youth sees the danger of abstaining from voting. That apathy seems to have been all but squashed now, replaced with vigor and passion for issues that have existed for so long, but rarely got much attention. We have local kids who are excited to stage anti-gun demonstrations and to attend political club meetings, which used to only be my thing, but whatever. Despite this newly developed passion, there are few candidates who have been able to leverage this newly present millennial energy. Those who have are the visionaries, leaders who are genuinely excited at the prospect of positive change for our towns and for us all.

As far as the race for California’s 25th congressional seat is concerned, Jess Phoenix is the only candidate who has made progress toward being the visionary we need. When I heard Jess talk for the first time, so much about her got me excited. She becomes increasingly genuine the longer you hear her speak, a rarity for politicians.

Jess represents what this district is capable of becoming. Her presence as a role model and political figurehead would put us in the national spotlight. This comes with the potential to draw new entrepreneurs and creatives to our district, which continues to suffer from severe brain drain. If you like the idea of filling out local main streets with trendy new shops, as well as growing the number of local high paying jobs, there’s no alternative but Jess. When you add in the fact that she’s a bilingual volcano scientist, how can anyone else even compete? She is the kind of candidate who inspires millennials to pay attention, learn about the issues, and get legitimately excited for what the future holds. Charles Vignola Canyon Country

Katie Hill skipped a candidate forum that was hosted by various Latino organizations.