Racquel Vasquez, the mayor of Lemon Grove, is running for the open seat representing the 79th Assembly District, which stretches from southeastern San Diego into Lemon Grove, La Mesa and El Cajon.
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?
As a native Californian, mother of two and wife of a retired Navy veteran, I have seen the impact of service and sacrifice firsthand. My public service journey began in 2007 as a planning commissioner, followed by election to City Council in 2012 and mayor in 2016 and 2020, making me the first black woman mayor in San Diego County.
I have prioritized critical concerns, leading Lemon Grove to be the only city in San Diego County to meet affordable housing mandates. I have established partnerships to bring direct services to our homeless community members, championed the Lemon Grove Climate Action Plan, ended two decades of deficit spending, paved more streets than any previous mayor and launched an economic stimulus program that put $500,000 into our local economy in less than a year.
What are the top 3 issues facing this district and California generally?
Taking into consideration the challenges posed by the pandemic and recent storms, my platform focuses on addressing the most critical issues of the moment.
Firstly, we must tackle the housing and homelessness crisis by prioritizing affordable housing construction and providing comprehensive services to combat homelessness effectively.
Secondly, equitable distribution of funding and updating infrastructure are imperative. We need funding pathways and grant programs to ensure fair allocation and modernization of our infrastructure.
Lastly, inflation has significantly impacted our community, necessitating innovative solutions to boost the economy and ensure financial security for all residents.
These three priorities aim to address pressing concerns and work towards a more resilient and prosperous future for our community.
What are the first 3 things you would do in your first term in the Legislature?
As a candidate for the California Assembly, my commitment to addressing the pressing issues of housing, the economy and public safety is unwavering. These priorities are critical for our communities’ well-being and pivotal in shaping our state’s future.
To garner support at the California Assembly level, I plan to engage in collaborative efforts with fellow Assembly members, advocating for legislation that tackles the housing crisis head-on, stimulating economic growth focusing on jobs and livable wages and reinforcing public safety measures. I will actively build relationships, seek bipartisan support and leverage my experience and passion to drive meaningful change. By fostering a spirit of cooperation and focusing on the shared goals of creating thriving communities, I am confident that we can enact policies that will positively impact the lives of Californians across the state.
What would you do to curb climate change and its effects on California, including the fact that those effects are often borne disproportionately by communities of color?
We must adopt an assertive approach against climate change for the sake of future generations. I’ll prioritize environmental considerations in all supported projects and legislation, advocating for sustained funding streams over one-time allocations to tackle California’s environmental challenges. Additionally, I endorse the establishment of dedicated funds for climate-related initiatives, with an annual baseline allocation of $15 billion.
Addressing carbon emissions is crucial, but we must also take proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The recent storm on Jan. 22 highlighted the disproportionate effect on marginalized communities due to outdated infrastructure planning. We need infrastructure updates to prevent such events from recurring and to protect vulnerable populations.
What would you do to combat California’s housing, affordability and homelessness crises?
I am dedicated to addressing California’s housing, affordability and homelessness crises through proactive measures. Lemon Grove is the only city in the County of San Diego to meet the affordable housing mandates set by California. My Lemon Grove Homeless Outreach Program provides essential services and support, and we are currently making strides toward more permanent solutions.
By promoting reasonable rents, lowering mortgage rates and developing well-planned homes along transportation networks, we can increase access to affordable housing options. Additionally, partnerships with government, industry and community organizations allow for comprehensive approaches to tackling homelessness.
My track record of meeting state mandates for affordable housing and implementing effective homeless outreach demonstrates my commitment to creating positive change throughout our community.
Do you personally support Proposition 1? Why or why not?
The shortage of beds and mental health services is the main barrier to transitioning people from the streets to housing. I endorse Proposition 1 for its focus on building housing and offering vital mental healthcare with wrap-around services. This initiative ensures our most vulnerable unhoused individuals, including homeless veterans, receive the sustained support required to reintegrate into society as productive members.
Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws and background checks? Which, and if you support them, to what extent?
I support gun laws and background checks that will keep our children and communities safe. In 2020, firearm-related deaths surpassed motor vehicles as the leading cause of death for children in America. As weapons evolve, so must our laws.
I support universal background checks and waiting periods. I support the ban on ghost guns and assault-style weapons. The work we have done to keep our communities safe is working, and gun-related deaths are 43 percent lower in California than the rest of the nation, but still too high. I am committed to furthering measures that ensure the safety of our communities.
Do you support or oppose asking voters to roll back elements of Proposition 47, by which they recategorized some nonviolent crimes as misdemeanors 10 years ago? Why or why not? Do you personally support or oppose making changes to Prop. 47?
Prop. 47 aims to address racial disparities and reduce prison populations, but more efforts are needed. Nonviolent crimes often stem from unmet needs like housing and mental health.
Instead of incarceration, we must provide housing and wrap-around services to address these root issues and reduce crime. COVID-19 has exacerbated our housing and mental health crises, highlighting the urgency of comprehensive solutions to support marginalized communities.
Californians will vote this year on whether to repeal Proposition 8, a 2008 same-sex marriage ban that has been unenforceable since the Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage but that remains on the books. Will you personally vote for or against repealing Prop. 8?
I will vote to repeal Prop. 8. It’s time to uphold marriage equality for all Californians.
