Kevin Juza, 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 am a small business owner who helps companies build successful sales teams. I’m married to an elementary school teacher, and we live in Poway with our twin daughters, who are juniors in high school.
I am running for the 75th Assembly District because it’s evident that our district’s needs have been overlooked for too long by Sacramento. Previous representatives, regardless of party, have failed to advocate for us.
I aim to change that. I’m committed to securing our fair share of tax dollars for vital local projects to improve education, public safety, housing and healthcare and to provide well-paying union jobs. I will use my sales experience to advocate for our communities’ priorities to ensure our district gets the attention and resources it deserves.
What are the top 3 issues facing this district and California generally?
Our district, composed mostly of rural and unincorporated communities in North and East San Diego County, faces unique challenges distinct from other areas. Our residents need access to healthcare, consistent broadband and safe public schools, and we’re often overlooked by policymakers. Climate change exacerbates our struggles, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure, access to housing and growth in industries offering well-paying jobs.
AD 75 requires a dedicated advocate who will represent our values in Sacramento. Education, public safety and housing are paramount issues that demand bold leadership and equitable solutions. I pledge to fiercely advocate for this district, ensuring we receive the attention, resources and support we deserve in order to thrive.
What are the first 3 things you would do in your first term in the Legislature?
In my first term representing AD 75, I’ll focus on three key priorities.
First, I’ll push for increased healthcare access for our district — which lacks coverage — by collaborating with stakeholders to ensure essential services are available to all.
Second, to address climate change, I’ll advocate for infrastructure improvements to bolster our resilience. This includes supporting projects for reliable broadband, urban infill housing projects and job creation in renewable energy and environmental sectors.
Third, to prioritize education and economic development, I’ll invest in schools, vocational training and higher education to equip our workforce for well-paying jobs. Additionally, I’ll work to attract businesses aligned with our community’s values, fostering meaningful employment opportunities.
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?
AD 75’s rural communities and 18 federally recognized tribal reservations have all borne the brunt of climate change in the form of drought, heat and wildfires. To combat this, I’ll focus on attracting industries offering well-paying jobs to support rural areas. We can address environmental challenges while creating employment opportunities by championing initiatives that enhance infrastructure and resilience, such as sustainable transportation and renewable energy projects. This approach aligns with our district’s needs, ensuring equitable solutions and fostering a thriving community. I’m dedicated to fiercely advocating for these priorities, providing our community with the attention and resources necessary for sustainable growth.
What would you do to combat California’s housing, affordability and homelessness crises?
Addressing California’s housing, affordability and homelessness crises is vital, especially as many struggle to find their first home. Encouraging developers to prioritize affordable housing is crucial; I’ll draw on my business expertise to find compassionate solutions. For example, there is a lot of development in Poway, but the lack of an effective housing plan intensifies the focus on higher-income housing, leaving many vulnerable. We urgently need more resources and legislative support to prioritize affordable housing for all.
In order to protect our rural areas, we must prioritize infill developments, preserving our natural spaces while meeting housing needs. Additionally, with housing construction underway, California must increase support for the homeless, including more psychologists and substance abuse counselors, recognizing the heightened demand particularly post-COVID.
Do you personally support Proposition 1? Why or why not?
It is time for concrete solutions to address our mental health and substance abuse crises, and I believe Proposition 1 is a good first step to providing beds and treatment to the mentally ill in California. Studies have shown that treatment is more effective when those suffering from addiction or mental illness have the security of a roof over their heads and a place to sleep, and Prop. 1 will start to solve that issue. We must continue to explore long-term solutions for our housing shortage to solve our homelessness problem and support our unhoused veterans.
Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws and background checks? Which, and if you support them, to what extent?
I support stricter gun laws and background checks for those who want to purchase a gun. In 2023, San Diego County released a report on gun violence that found our unincorporated areas, most of which are in AD 75, had some of the highest numbers of gun-related suicides across the county. Strengthening our gun laws coupled with better mental health access will save lives. Requiring firearm safety devices, proper training and licensing and gun owner’s insurance will also help reduce gun violence across the state.
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?
Just like any well-intended law, sometimes there are unintended consequences, and that is where we find Proposition 47. While Prop. 47 has reduced prison populations and saved the state over $800 million, it fails to address the current epidemic of organized retail theft that makes communities less safe. We need to reform the law to allow enforcement against these organized crime rings and prevent repeat offenders while keeping the safety of store employees and patrons in mind.
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?
Yes, I will be voting to repeal Proposition 8. We live in a free society, and that means we all have the right to marry and love whoever we want. We have the right to have access to any medical procedure we need. We have the right to be treated equally in the eyes of our government. Repealing Proposition 8 will better align us with our values to love and respect everyone.