After easily surviving a recall last year, Gavin Newsom, the Governor, is the only question in the June 7 gubernatorial election. He has raised $7.5 million for his campaign, surpassing the $80,000 raised by his six challengers, who have raised more than him. We are publishing Q&As with Newsom, a Democrat who will be the second highest vote-getter and make it to the November 8 runoff.
The candidates other than Newsom have amassed a haul that is close to nothing. Here are the totals of their fundraising efforts and the candidates who have responded to us. Jenny Le Rae Roux, a Republican businesswoman and mom entrepreneur, has raised $847,000. Michael Shellenberger, an independent policy advocate for homelessness, has raised $661,000. Shawn Collins, a Republican attorney and military officer, has raised $240,000. Reinette Senum, a former independent mayor of Nevada City, has raised $121,000. David Lozano, an attorney and executive officer, has raised $80,000. Brian Dahle, a Republican senator and farmer, has raised $1.5 million.
If you have any questions or comments about the candidates or the election, please email Matthew Hall, Director of Opinion and Editorial, at matthew.Hall@sduniontribune.Com to schedule an interview.
Here are the responses from Shawn Collins and a link to additional responses.
How do you address this? Investor speculation is greater than ever and rents and home prices are soaring. For years, central lawmakers have been focusing on housing affordability.
A reform of the California Environmental Quality Act is needed to reduce the power of government agencies like the California Coastal Commission to veto and delay projects, which often result in bankrupt or stalled housing developments. Our cities need to stop blocking developments that have followed all the rules and only require ministerial approval. Housing needs to be addressed on multiple levels.
In my experience, when I used a federal loan program for veterans to get my first home, I realized that living and staying in California is not the same for all families. We need to continue building programs for our young families, as they can access the American dream of owning a stable home through special and vibrant communities.
What is malfunctioning? What is functioning and what obligations should the state be fulfilling that it is not? Despite unparalleled focus and state assistance, homelessness has drastically increased throughout the entire state.
We need to end the first housing policy that is not effective. Additionally, we must audit our existing programs to determine where our money is going. Before we continue to spend millions of dollars on this issue, we need specific help for those who are homeless and apply commonsense solutions. California has thrown money blindly at the problem of homelessness for far too long, without getting results. It is not just about having compassion for the homeless, but treating them with compassion and rethinking the meaning and nature of compassion in California. To solve the homelessness crisis in California, we need to begin with law enforcement and end with tolerance. This requires a reassessment of the underlying assumptions and informed policies of recent years, as well as a reconsideration of the meaning and nature of compassion for the homeless population.
It is not compassionate to let someone live on the streets. There will be a curfew, so you will not be able to come out at any hour. You will not steal support for your drug addiction from this house. You will have a job. You will not use drugs. If we are going to offer you a home, there will be attached conditions. I remember how my family members have operated for as long as I can remember. My approach would be based on conditions. Right now, my uncle Tim is living somewhere on Skid Row in Los Angeles. There were times in my life when my family was close to homelessness. This is a personal issue for me.
Do you endorse? Will you endorse modifications? Which modifications will you endorse? 57? And Laws similar to Propositions 47 to reform criminal justice and revise current efforts, do you have any feelings about that? How would you address concerns about overall crime rising?
Encouraging lawlessness effectively reduced penalties for habitual offenders and released numerous criminals from incarceration, resulting in a catastrophic situation for public safety, health, and the environment. This catastrophe can be described as a scenario where individuals struggling with addiction and mental illness openly engage in acts of defecation and drug use in numerous other cities and urban centers throughout the state. The homelessness crisis in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles has allowed criminals, substance abusers, and those with mental health issues to seize control of entire neighborhoods, pushing major cities to the brink of anarchy. Governor Gavin Newsom has profoundly failed in fulfilling one of the most essential responsibilities of his position, which is to ensure the safety of their constituents, enabling them to carry out their daily routines without the fear of physical harm.
This catastrophe has only worsened the constraints on law enforcement caused by the poorly thought-out laws, referendum proposals, and recent judicial rulings like Jones v. City of Los Angeles.
I support the recall of any district attorneys who are unwilling to hold accountable actions of criminals. I would support our law enforcement officers by equipping them to do their job when we need them the most. We must hold accountable those criminals who need to be held accountable. Accountability would be the cornerstone of my administration as governor.
Q: How did Governor Gavin Newsom manage the COVID-19 outbreak and how would you handle a pandemic as the governor?
It was blatantly obvious that Gov. Newsom was willing to impose mask restrictions for not only children but also for us. Furthermore, as a leader, you should never ask others to do something that you are unwilling to do yourself. It is clear that Gov. Newsom did not change his approach, even though new evidence arose, laying out how ineffective and destructive his lockdown policies are. My issue with Newsom’s handling of the pandemic comes from his refusal to adapt with science. At the time, I applauded Newsom’s willingness and approach to work with President Donald Trump in order to address this crisis. When the first cases of COVID-19 appeared in the U.S., It was clear that we must proceed with caution in the face of the unknown. As a military officer, I know that when you’re going into a conflict where the facts are unknown, you need to be aware of the risks involved.
What is your response to individuals who are disheartened by this image? California is experiencing unprecedented budget surpluses while a significant number of its 39 million inhabitants are facing financial difficulties.
In order to address our competency issue, the new leadership emphasizes that we do not have a lack of resources. Despite having a surplus in our budget, we have not achieved any tangible results. Our public transportation is in a deplorable state, our infrastructure is crumbling, and our public education system is rated among the lowest. Moreover, we are facing a severe homelessness crisis. Unfortunately, the excessive bureaucracy and numerous government agencies have failed to address these issues. Conducting a comprehensive audit of our budget is imperative, and as the governor, I would collaborate with our state controller (preferably Lanhee Chen!) From day one to carry out this task. It is undeniable that Californians bear the highest tax burden in the nation, and it is crucial that we redistribute funds back to the people.
What would you say about their future? Approximately 1.1 million people in the workforce and an estimated 2 million undocumented people live in California.
A permeable boundary is a matter of national security. It is imperative to ensure the security of our border. Before we change course, we need to address the vulnerabilities of our system. Simultaneously, we must revamp the procedure for obtaining citizenship or work visas. It is evident that our immigration system is dysfunctional. I had the privilege of witnessing her swearing-in ceremony, which was a truly remarkable experience. It took her nearly a decade to achieve citizenship. My wife and her family migrated to this country from Beirut, Lebanon, amidst the Lebanese Civil War.
Q: What is your assessment of the state’s most urgent issue regarding climate change and how would you tackle it?
I am not the type of Republican who denies climate change, as it cannot hinder our economy to the point of collapse. However, there is no better way to control pollution or emissions than to prioritize drilling rights here in the United States. With that said, our wildfires are continually causing more and more damage each year, as they are increasingly longer and more frequent. We need to create innovative approaches to manage our forest floors better and combat climate change. Outlawing and banning frivolous actions is more helpful than harmful.
What actions would you take? What, if any, measures can the government take to ensure that eco-friendly transportation choices – like bikes, public transportation, trains, and electric cars – are accessible, practical, and appealing?
There is no incentive to innovate, and California is now anti-business. The possibilities are endless if the government resists instead of supports innovation. Here in California, we have some of the most brilliant minds in the world. A public-private partnership.
How can you enhance the quality of public education and guarantee equal opportunities for all students? Public educational institutions are currently dealing with a decrease in student enrollment, shortages of teachers, and an ongoing disparity in academic performance.
As governor, I will ensure that all kids in California receive a high-quality education that incorporates STEM (math, science, and engineering technology) in a manner that prepares them for future jobs where artificial intelligence enhances every aspect of the human experience and space travel is the norm, including autonomous car operation.
As the governor, I also support the idea of giving parents more options when it comes to their children’s education, which includes:
By obtaining parental consent, safeguard the privacy and medical entitlements of the student, provide an opportunity for parents to contribute to social and religious matters incorporated in the curriculum, and enable parents to be informed about the specifics of the curriculum through the establishment of a Parents’ Bill of Rights.
Minimizing obstacles for students who want to transfer to schools outside their local district.
Eliminating the limit on charter school funds in the state budget.
Proposition 98 allows education funds from a state education savings account to be used for eligible school expenses, including education and school supplies such as books. It also covers other eligible education expenses, such as tuition, for a child attending an accredited school.
Bringing back opt-in provisions for explicit content, allowing for age-appropriate education that offers fundamental physiological, biological, and hygienic knowledge.
Putting an end to the divisive educational program instructed based on critical race theory.
Strengthening local school districts in relation to curriculum, vocational education, and disciplinary programs that mirror the values of their community.
Should California contemplate restricting or prohibiting water-intensive crops such as almonds and alfalfa? If affirmative, kindly elucidate the rationale and methodology. In the event of a negative response, please expound on the measures you would undertake to tackle a longstanding drought. As per the California Department of Water Resources, agriculture constitutes approximately 80 percent of the total water consumption in California.
California needs a governor who is willing and capable of meeting the high demands of environmental and municipal users, as well as agricultural users. The governor should be able to execute the restoration and protection of watersheds and ecosystems, provide emergency relief for droughts, treat wastewater, manage water supply, utilize advanced water treatment and recycling technologies, protect drinking water, improve groundwater and surface storage, and allocate funds for public water infrastructure projects. In 2014, Proposition passed overwhelmingly, allocating money for these state water supply projects. As governor, I will eliminate every barrier to the construction of new water conveyance and storage infrastructure. This will allow farmers to care for and grow their crops and livestock with fewer regulations and more water, ensuring that they can continue to feed our neighbors.
Q: Besides the ones you have discussed above, what would be another high-ranking priority for you?
As governor, I understand the need for Californians to partner with me, rather than view me as an adversary, in order to continue recruiting young talent from our universities and colleges and keep companies like Hewlett Packard, Toyota, and Tesla in California to compete and fight for the growth of our state’s economy. I recognize that these companies, when they leave the state, result in a loss of tax revenue, and that’s why our state needs to become more business-friendly.