Andrew Hayes, a Republican and Lakeside school board member, is one of six candidates running in the crowded race for the open 75th Assembly District, representing a vast swath of East 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?
When a man promises you the world tomorrow, ask him what he did yesterday. Sacramento politicians are crushing California families. Look around you. Homelessness has skyrocketed after “historic” investments by Sacramento politicians. Families young and old can’t afford to live here with constant tax increases, unattainable housing and high energy costs. Rampant crime and the continual dumping of sexually violent predators in neighborhoods. A fentanyl crisis encouraged by failed immigration policy and a wide-open border. Failing public schools where 50 percent of students are unable to read.
It’s no wonder Californians are fleeing in droves. I’m staying to create better lives for the district where I grew up. As president of the Lakeside School District, I’ve defeated tax increases, fought crime, improved outcomes for our kids and fought for parents. I’ve delivered — and that is what I’ll do in Sacramento. I won’t just scream loudly in search of a solution.
What are the top 3 issues facing this district and California generally?
I was born and raised in this district and my roots run deep. I’ve seen how the problems in Sacramento affect us every day.
Cost of living: California is too expensive for the working families in my district. My commitment is to lower taxes (like the gas tax), make government efficient and effective and ease the financial burden on our district’s residents.
Inflation: Inflation is out of control, especially in California. I will enact policies that stop inflation from rising and make it affordable for working families again.
Public safety: Crime is on the rise across our state, and something must be done. Rampant homelessness, escalating crime rates and disproportionate placement of sexually violent predators (SVPs) in my district demand an urgent response. I will work closely with law enforcement to address these issues head-on — that’s why I’m endorsed by police and firefighters.
What are the first 3 things you would do in your first term in the Legislature?
I’ve always believed as an elected official that it is my job to make government work for you. My job will be to roll up my sleeves and get to work on solving problems for my district.
On Day One, I’ll introduce a package of bills entitled the “California Taxpayer Protection Initiative” to address our affordability crisis. The first two bills will be to immediately lower the gas tax, the second prevent the implementation of the mileage tax.
I’ll immediately get to work on calling out the insurance commissioner for not doing his job and creating the fire insurance crisis that residents of my district suffer from every day.
Lastly, I’ll work closely with law enforcement to address the disproportionate share of sexually violent predators placed in my district and demand the governor ensure they are managed by the state in state correctional facilities.
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 support market-based solutions that incentivize innovation in clean energy without burdening our economy and destroying the livelihoods of hardworking Californians.
The fact is dysfunctional Sacramento is not doing this. Their solutions are to ban diesel trucks, get rid of cars, ban natural gas appliances, ban lawnmowers and leaf blowers, import dirty oil from South America instead of using California’s clean oil technology, make it harder to get solar, increase the gas tax and drive up the cost of energy and water through convoluted energy regulations with hidden fees — all things that make the lives of working families in my district more difficult.
Preventing and stopping wildfires, which are a major emission source, is top of mind for me in my district. Forest and vegetation management is critical, as well as adding more firefighters, equipment and trucks. My commitment to this is why I’m endorsed by firefighters.
What would you do to combat California’s housing, affordability and homelessness crises?
Housing is expensive because government makes it harder to build. I want to unshackle our economic engine and responsibly build housing from condos to starter homes — it creates local jobs and a path to prosperity for Californians who, like me, believe that homeownership is part of the American dream.
California is too expensive for the working families in my district. My commitment is to lower taxes (like the gas tax) and defend important taxpayer protections like Proposition 13.
Every Californian deserves a path off the street, and what we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. We’ve dumped $20 billion into “solving” homelessness, and we have more homeless. We must address the root causes of the mental health crisis. Nonprofits, charities and faith-based programs that have benchmarks and emphasize a compassionate evaluation of the causes of homelessness, such as mental health challenges, substance abuse issues and cost of living, is the path forward.
Do you personally support Proposition 1? Why or why not?
I oppose Proposition 1. Sacramento has failed “solving” homelessness despite pouring $20 billion into it. And now Gov. Newsom asks for more resources? Yet another money grab that places California taxpayers on the hook. In fact, this proposition diverts local mental health funding back to the state for the purposes of oversight.
Until Sacramento understands that tackling homelessness starts by addressing the root causes, such as drug- and alcohol-induced mental illness, and sets real benchmarks for accountability and success, we’ll continue to have circular proposals that accomplish nothing. I see no reason to double down on failure.
Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws and background checks? Which, and if you support them, to what extent?
I believe that the ownership and the safe use of a firearm in defense of one’s life, their property and their family’s lives is a pillar of our constitutional rights.
Our communities are facing rising crime and increased violence. Unfortunately, California isn’t even willing to enforce the current laws we have on the books to curb crime and hold criminals accountable; let’s begin by enforcing the existing laws we have available.
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?
Proposition 47 has been an unmitigated disaster for Californians and for law enforcement. When it is OK to walk into a store and steal over $900 of merchandise with no punishment, you know we’ve lost our way. The message that Proposition 47 has sent to criminals is “California is open for business,” and of course that is reflected in the increased crime rates. I fully support repealing Proposition 47 in its entirety and restoring law and order to our communities. I’m in full support and will be campaigning for the proposed ballot measure that will change Proposition 47.
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?
These kind of ballot measures continue to distract Californians from the real issues plaguing our state and come from leaders who would rather fear-monger than deliver real results for California. I’d much rather our efforts be focused on real challenges like homelessness, crime, the affordability crisis and the unjust humanitarian crisis at the border. Our politics and political leaders must do better and stop fear-mongering.
I respect the Supreme Court’s authority, and I hold firm in my belief in traditional marriage. I’ll vote not to repeal Proposition 8, honoring the voters and the values I stand for.
