Congressional candidate Stan Caplan is again challenging Rep. Sara Jacobs for reelection, this time without a party affiliation. He ran in 2022 as a Republican and advanced to the November general election, where he lost by nearly 23 points.
To help inform voters, the San Diego Union-Tribune asked all the candidates a series of the same questions about their priorities, positions and campaigns. Their emailed answers have been lightly edited for clarity.
Why are you running, and what makes you the best candidate?
I am not happy with the direction of our country, domestically and internationally. I was the endorsed Republican candidate in California Congressional District 51 in the last midterm election. I have since left the party to run as an Independent/No Party Preference (NPP).
I have learned that once Democrats and Republicans are entrenched in Washington, D.C., they similarly become beholden to large donors and special interests. They forget about the needs of the people they are suppose to represent. I will be independent of party politics and will focus on making District 51 the safest, healthiest, most prosperous district, with the highest possible standard of living.
What are the top 3 issues facing this district and California generally?
All politicians talk about issues, but none have practical solutions in the best interests of their constituents.
Stan Caplan, 2024 primary candidate for California’s 51st Congressional District
(Stan Caplan)
Homelessness. It is not compassionate for anyone to live on the street. I want the police to be mandated to pick them up and deliver them to professional treatment centers. They will be given the best care, job training and placement. When an independent medical review board determines when they have been rehabilitated and can be a productive member of society, they are then released and given an opportunity to succeed.
Immigration. I have spoken with numerous Border Patrol agents, and the solution is always the same: Enforce existing laws. I have written a bill that I will introduce in Congress that demands adherence to existing immigration laws. This bill outlines strict penalties, including prison, for those that are in violation.
High prices. There are lots of political talking points but nothing with immediate relief. That is why I have authored the Personal Income Tax Relief Act. This states that no one will pay any federal income tax on the first $50,000 of earned income. The bill includes annual cost-of-living adjustments. This will help hard-working Americans pay for necessities and send less money to the government.
What are the first 3 things you would do in your next term in Congress?
I will move to introduce and enact the 13 congressional bills that I have written. These bills support my 2024 platform and address issues such as inflation, crime, open borders, drug cartels, homelessness, parental involvement, integrity in women’s sports, reproductive rights and health care. They provide safeguards for small businesses, student loan solutions and welfare allocation. And certainly a proposal for term limits.
What would you do to curb climate change and its effects on California?
I am not an expert on climate or the impact of climatic cycles over long periods of time. Before I vote, I will want to hear all sides of the argument, supported by facts, to make an informed decision. Solutions would likely be gradually instituted so there would not be a shock to the existing systems in place.
How should U.S. migration and asylum policy change, what should guide it, and what specifically will you pursue in Congress?
I have already mentioned that I have written a comprehensive immigration act. This is of urgent importance. We need to strictly enforce the existing laws and severely punish those who do not.
What is your stance on the war in Gaza, and on U.S. involvement in and support of it?
Israel is the only real democracy and true friend in the Middle East. They should have 100% American support to achieve total victory over the terrorists.
Would you support federal statutory restrictions on, or protections of, abortion rights? Which, and to what extent?
My two opponents are extremists. My belief is with most Americans that feel a practical compromise makes the most sense. I also want free birth control with consultations and accessible healthcare.
Would you support or oppose stricter federal gun laws and background checks? Which, and to what extent?
I support the Second Amendment. There should be less medicating of children, more accountability for criminals and better treatment for the mentally ill. Anyone that commits a crime with a gun should have a long jail term.
