Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Current job title:Retired Navy Captain
Political party affiliation:Republican
Other political positions held:Not applicable
Campaign website or social media:kurdianforcongress.com
What is the single most important issue this district faces, and what can Congress, realistically, do to address it? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
The biggest issue facing CA-49 is the high cost of living. Families are paying too much for housing, groceries, gas, and energy, while the government continues to spend too much money. In fact, Congress’s inability to stop spending so much money is what is actually driving up costs for Californians. Congress cannot fix every problem, but we can relieve some of the pressure. I will work to cut wasteful government spending, stop policies that drive up costs, support small businesses, reduce unnecessary regulations, and encourage more good-paying jobs here in Southern California. As our elected representative, it’s my job to help families keep more of the money they earn and make it easier for people to afford a home, raise a family, and build a better future.
Housing is increasingly unaffordable and remains top
Housing is increasingly unaffordable and remains top of mind for many Californians. What is one federal policy you’d push to make housing more affordable? How would you measure whether that policy was actually successful? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
One federal policy I would support is reducing unnecessary federal regulations that make it more expensive and difficult to build homes. We need less red tape for builders to build more homes, while still protecting safety and the environment. I would measure success simply: Are more homes being built, and are they becoming more affordable for working families? We should track the number of new homes built, the cost of building them, and how much families spend to buy or rent a home.
Government should focus on removing barriers that make housing more expensive. Affordability is more about lowering costs for everyone not just throwing more money or bureaucracy at the problem.
Concerns about the use of surveillance technology have
Concerns about the use of surveillance technology have intensified recently, often relating to license plate readers made by Flock Safety. How can Congress balance the use of these technologies in public safety cases while limiting infringement on an individual’s right to privacy? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
As someone who developed technology to support America’s warfighters, we are right to be wary of government invasion of privacy. However, if technology can solve crimes and make us safer, we need to find a path where we can manage both. The data recorded by these devices can be stored and sequestered from government hands until it is needed. Judges can clear law enforcement to access the data with specific guidance. And, if we get this right, it may discourage further crimes from being committed in the future.
What should immigration policy in the U.S. look like five years from now? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Five years from now, I would like
Five years from now, I would like to see an immigration system that is secure, legal, fair, and gives people a real opportunity to become Americans.
My own family has experienced this journey. My mother was born in Iran, my grandfather was born in Soviet Armenia, and my father-in-law was born in Italy. All three became naturalized American citizens. There is no greater honor than being an American citizen, and people around the world want the opportunity to live here and pursue the American Dream.
I would like to see more legal immigration, but we also need to make sure our country is prepared for that growth. That means creating more jobs, improving our schools, and giving people the skills they need to succeed. We need to secure our borders, enforce our laws, and make legal immigration work better.
Would you like to see any changes
Would you like to see any changes to Medicare, Medicaid or prescription drug policies? What specifically would you change, cut or fund? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I believe we should protect Medicare and make health care more affordable. We should continue initiatives that lower prescription drug costs and reduce waste in the health care system without taking away care that seniors, individuals, small business owners, and families depend on. I also believe we should make sure veterans receive the quality health care they earned through their service. We need to eliminate red tape so care can be given faster and stop incentivizing hospitals to perform tests and procedures for no other reason than making money.
Increasingly, we’re seeing communities push back on data centers opening in or near their neighborhoods. Environmentalists complain about the amount of water and energy that data centers need to operate. Residents complain about relentless noise pollution. And others worry about losing agricultural land to these centers. On the other hand, the tech industry emphasizes the role of data centers in supporting cloud computing and artificial intelligence. As a policymaker, how would you balance the concerns of critics with desires to ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in innovation? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
AI is a new frontier for America
AI is a new frontier for America. Data centers are important because they help power new technology, including AI. I want America to remain a world leader in innovation, but we also need to listen to the communities where these facilities are built. These facilities must follow reasonable rules for water use, energy use, noise, and protecting important farmland. At the same time, we should not create so many regulations that we prevent new technology and good-paying jobs from being created.
There is growing debate about whether political candidates or committees should be allowed to run ads created with the use of artificial intelligence. Recently, we’ve seen videos or images depicting a candidate’s political opponent in disparaging ways – and which some critics say falsely misrepresent their political rival. In your opinion, should there be a strict ban on AI-generated political content? If AI-generated content is permitted, should there be restrictions on its use? What should the terms be, if any? Explain your position. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Political ads that use an individual’s name, image, or likeness to create a false appearance are deceptive, and I would support a ban on this practice. We should not use new technology to create lies that could mislead voters. A universal AI icon is already available to mark when content is AI-generated. The rule should be: AI can be used as a tool, clearly marked as AI, without deceiving voters.
How should the U.S. balance support for foreign
How should the U.S. balance support for foreign allies with concerns about the country’s spending and the risk of entering “forever wars”? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Any use of military force must have a clear objective. If we can get our allies to follow, this ultimately helps all of us to defeat common enemies. The weapons we use, the targets we hit, and the definition of success all factor into the use of force. Our military never fails the nation; as someone who wore the uniform, and helped man, train, and equip our Navy, I have a comprehensive understanding of what can be accomplished through the use of force, and what must be done through diplomatic, economic, or other means.
As your next congressman, I will provide my expert advice and knowledge to the president, no matter party affiliation, because at the end of the day, we need to be successful regardless of who is in the White House.
The Trump administration is aggressively pushing to expand
The Trump administration is aggressively pushing to expand offshore oil drilling and production in California. Do you support this move? Why or why not? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps America energy independent and helps lower costs for us. That means we should responsibly use the energy rether reliable
The polarization of politics in this country has only grown. If you’re the incumbent of this office, what’s an example of you bucking that trend and cooperating with colleagues you may have political or ideological differences with? And if you’re running to step into this office for the first time, what’s an issue you will work on with those across the aisle to tackle? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
When in Congress, I will work with Republicans,
When in Congress, I will work with Republicans, Democrats, and anyone else who is willing to find common ground. One area where I believe we can work together is reducing the cost of living. Families should not have to choose between paying their bills, buying groceries, or keeping a roof over their heads. We may disagree about how to solve a problem, but we should be willing to sit down, listen to each other, and find solutions that help American families. I will not go to Washington to argue with everyone. I will go to Washington to get things done.
Tell us about a time you’ve changed your mind on a political position. What was it, and what changed your mind? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
One thing I’ve learned through my 25 years in the Navy and my years of public service is that good leaders are willing to listen and change their minds when they learn something new. I have changed my mind about how some problems should be solved after listening to people with different experiences and looking at the facts. The most important thing for me is to get the best result for the American people. To me, leadership is not about always being right. It’s about listening, learning, and doing what is best for the people you serve.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
I’ve been listening to the “Battle Cry of Freedom” audiobook, an incredible history of two different economic ideologies and a failure that led to America’s bloodiest conflict, the Civil War. We can learn so much from history.
