Christie Dougherty, a teacher and a Democrat, is one of six candidates running in the crowded race for the open 75th Assembly District, representing a vast swath of inland San Diego County.
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 believe I am the best candidate because I care about our communities. I am passionate and dedicated and will work hard for you. As a Democrat, I realize many may count me out without knowing me, but I promise regardless of my or your party affiliation I believe that the people of the 75th District deserve to not just live but thrive.
Christie Dougherty, 2024 primary candidate for California’s 75th Assembly District
(Christie Dougherty)
I am tired of the polarization of politics and the ease at which misinformation has spread and created rifts between good people. As a teacher, I value input from families, research from experts and fact-checking. I see no reason why with patience and all the tools we have today we cannot get together to find solutions to our common problems. I am the best candidate because I will represent the needs of District 75.
What are the top 3 issues facing this district and California generally?
The top 3 issues facing District 75 and much of California are homelessness, border security and the higher cost of living, including fire insurance for homeowners. I promise to prioritize and work diligently toward solving these issues.
What are the first 3 things you would do in your first term in the Legislature?
I would work with others to pass solution-based legislation addressing homelessness, border security and the high cost of living in our state based on research and facts. Clearly, these issues are complex. Collaborating with Border Patrol, organizations working to reduce homelessness and economic experts is a must. I think anyone promising a solution in 150 words or less is out of touch; if they were easy to solve, they would have been solved.
I will work with others and take a hard look at what is and is not working and make decisions based on this. Is more money required to secure the border? If so, how are we going to get that money, and what should it be spent on? These questions need to be asked, and I’m not afraid to ask them.
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?
I would support legislation continuing strict emissions regulations, rewarding renewable energy adoption and creating tax incentives for those who use sustainable infrastructure.
In addition, I would prioritize environmental justice initiatives, ensuring all communities have equal access to resources. Implementing policies that promote equitable distribution of green spaces and clean air initiatives can mitigate health disparities. Overall, a holistic approach combining regulatory measures, investment in sustainable infrastructure and targeted support for marginalized communities are essential to combat climate change and its disparate impacts in California. I can promise I will not waste time denying what science and our own experiences have proven exists.
What would you do to combat California’s housing, affordability and homelessness crises?
I would begin by streamlining the development process and working with environmental agencies to find where we can build more housing to meet the demand while also protecting our diverse ecosystems. We have a higher demand than supply for housing in California right now that can only be met by adding more housing.
I would also invest in programs that are proving successful, such as diversion programs that have proven effective in both preventing homelessness and spending less to do so than programs that wait until someone is homeless before intervening. In addition, I would argue for addressing homelessness through accessible mental health care for all, as well as access to alcohol and drug addiction programs.
Do you personally support Proposition 1? Why or why not?
No, and it pains me that this isn’t a viable solution. I believe Proposition 1, which will cost $6.4 billion, is going to pull funding away from community-based programs and has the potential to violate human rights. I do prioritize mental health and think everyone should have access; however, I believe we can come up with a better plan that serves more people than Proposition 1 does, with less potential to be abused, and has a longer-lasting impact.
Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws and background checks? Which, and if you support them, to what extent?
I support responsible gun ownership and the ban on semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity magazines. I support mandatory gun locks and safes, and holding parents accountable when minors obtain access to firearms. I support giving police and Border Patrol increased resources to ensure illegal and ghost guns are not transported across state lines or into the United States.
Look, I’m a teacher who carries out active shooter drills with students who have severe disabilities, and I’m also someone who grew up in a hunting family. I believe we can make progress if we move the lobby-bought politicians and extremist groups out of the conversation. We have strict gun laws in our state, and I would vote to uphold those. I would also love to have dialogue with police officers and hunting families on how they could change their views on responsible gun ownership and gun culture.
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?
No. My problem with this is that it doesn’t address organized retail theft or flash mob-type theft at all. I would rather see repeat offenders and organized theft addressed in legislation.
It also doesn’t stand to reason that a 10-year-old law is somehow the cause of the increase in retail theft starting in 2019 or the decrease in theft-related arrests. We would benefit more by targeting repeat offenders and organized groups with stricter laws, and by modernizing and improving our ability to track down sellers online of stolen merchandise. To me, this is a case of “let’s sound like we are making laws tougher and addressing an issue” when in reality, and I mean backed by numbers, it isn’t going to change arrest rates or address what we are most concerned about — organized retail theft.
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 would vote yes to repeal. I proudly support the LGBTQ+ community and their families.
