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.
Political party affiliation:Republican
Other political positions held:N/A
Campaign website or social media:calvertforcongress.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 challenge people are facing right now is affordability. People are working hard, but their paycheck is being stretched thinner by the rising cost of housing, groceries, gas and electricity.
That’s why I supported and was proud
That’s why I supported and was proud to pass into law the largest tax cut in American history, which made the working families tax cuts permanent and delivered new relief for families, seniors and small businesses across our district. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimates the law saved the average California taxpayer $4,296 this year, which is a huge savings for families. It’s also why I’ve fought policies from radicals, like Gavin Newsom, that have increased costs by reducing domestic energy production and increasing regulations that stifle small businesses and economic growth.
In short, the most important issue I am working on is supporting policies to make California more affordable so families can keep more of what they earn, businesses can grow and employees can earn more, and our kids can afford to build a future here instead of being driven out of state.
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.)
I grew up in Riverside County, and it’s
I grew up in Riverside County, and it’s crazy to see how expensive housing has become, especially for young families who simply want the same opportunity to own a home that generations before them had.
One of the biggest drivers of California’s housing crisis is that we don’t build enough housing. In 2024, California added just 125,000 housing units across the entire state. That’s simply not enough in a state of nearly 40 million people. California state policies also have a prohibitive effect on increasing the supply of housing due to overregulation.
Washington should help increase supply by cutting unnecessary regulations, speeding up permitting and creating tax incentives that encourage more housing construction. But we also have to be honest about the impact on the demand side too. For years, the federal government failed to secure our southern border while California was already struggling with a severe housing shortage. Unchecked illegal immigration adds even more demand to an already strained housing market. I’ve worked on that issue for decades, including writing the law that created E-Verify and passing the biggest investment in border security in American history earlier this year.
I would measure success when we turn around
I would measure success when we turn around the net migration numbers from California and see that our state has once again become a desirable place to live and work.
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.)
Technology can be an important tool for law enforcement, particularly when it helps officers identify dangerous criminals or locate stolen vehicles. But Americans should not have to surrender their constitutional rights in the process.
Congress should establish clear rules governing how sensitive
Congress should establish clear rules governing how sensitive data collected by surveillance technologies can be accessed, retained and shared. That means setting reasonable limits on how long data can be stored and requiring law enforcement to get a warrant. Law enforcement should be able to use these tools for legitimate public safety purposes but not infringe upon the constitutional rights our citizens are entitled to. I believe we can strike the right balance between public safety and the American people’s expectation of privacy.
What should immigration policy in the U.S. look like five years from now? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
For years, Washington failed to enforce our immigration laws, and Americans have paid the price. We’ve seen millions of illegal crossings, deadly fentanyl pouring across the southern border, criminals released into our communities and enormous pressure placed on schools, hospitals, local law enforcement and housing.
I wrote the law that created E-Verify
I wrote the law that created E-Verify to end the jobs magnet that encourages illegal immigration, and I’ve fought to make its use mandatory nationwide. I worked in 2006 to pass the Secure Fence Act, and as an appropriator, I have ensured funding for the border wall. I’ve also helped pass the largest investment in border security in American history which we passed just earlier this year.
My hope is that five years from now, we can look back and say we finally turned the tide: the border is secure, illegal crossings are dramatically reduced if not eliminated entirely, criminal illegal immigrants are deported, and our immigration laws are being enforced again. Only when we have re-established the rule of law and secured operational control of our border can we consider a legal DACA fix, a workable guest labor program, and reform our broken asylum system. I do not support a blanket amnesty that rewards people who knowingly broke our laws by coming here illegally with U.S. citizenship.
America should remain a nation that welcomes legal immigrants who follow the rules. But we also must be a nation that enforces its laws and puts the safety and economic interests of American citizens first.
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.)
People pay into Medicare and Social Security their entire working lives with the expectation that those benefits will be there when they retire. We have a responsibility to keep that promise and protect the benefits seniors have earned.
Where Washington needs to do more is lowering prescription drug costs. Too many seniors are getting squeezed at the pharmacy counter while drug companies, insurance companies and powerful middlemen keep making money off a system nobody can understand.
I’ve supported bipartisan efforts to increase competition
I’ve supported bipartisan efforts to increase competition from lower-cost generic drugs, and I’m cosponsoring legislation to rein in pharmacy benefit managers, bring more transparency to the system and stop middlemen from driving up costs. I’ve also cosponsored the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, a bipartisan bill that reforms and modernizes the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans, so that seniors can get the care they need without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
We should also root out fraud and waste in Medicare and Medicaid, so those programs remain strong for the people who truly need them.
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.)
America cannot afford to fall behind China
America cannot afford to fall behind China or other competitors in artificial intelligence and advanced technology. At the same time, communities have legitimate concerns about the impact large data centers can have on water, electricity, noise and surrounding neighborhoods. Those concerns shouldn’t be dismissed.
I don’t think Washington should impose a one-size-fits-all answer. Local communities should have a meaningful voice in the location of these facilities and how their impacts are addressed and mitigated. At the federal level, we should focus on ensuring America has the reliable energy and infrastructure necessary to support our evolving economy.
We should be able to lead the world in innovation without ignoring the communities where that investment takes place.
There is growing debate about whether political candidates
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.)
No. I don’t support banning AI-generated political content. Political speech is protected by the First Amendment, and art and technology have always evolved. We shouldn’t ban a new tool simply because it’s new.
There is an obvious difference between using AI as a creative tool and using it to intentionally fabricate footage of a candidate saying something they didn’t or doing something that never happened. But existing laws against fraud, defamation and deception already provide remedies when people cross that line. As we already see on some platforms, disclaimers and labels about AI-generated content can help provide transparency on what Americans are viewing.
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.)
I believe the best way to keep America out of wars is to make sure our adversaries never doubt our strength.
As chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve worked to rebuild our military, invest in the technologies our service members need, strengthen our defense industrial base and make sure America maintains its military advantage.
Strength doesn’t mean writing blank checks or committing
But strength doesn’t mean writing blank checks or committing American troops to conflicts without a clear mission. Our allies need to contribute to their own defense. America has been left footing the bill for the world’s defense for too long. I strongly support our NATO alliance, but our partners must step up their defense investments which they have done since President Trump took office.
The best way to keep America out of “forever wars” is in peace through strength.
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.)
Yes. I support expanding responsible domestic energy production,
Yes. I support expanding responsible domestic energy production, including offshore if it’s economically America, and I don’t think families should have to accept that as normal
I’ve repeatedly fought policies in Sacramento that restrict domestic energy production, reduce refining capacity and drive prices higher. Importing more oil from foreign countries does not make our environment safer or our country more secure.
We should produce energy here at home, strengthen our energy security and bring down costs for California families.
The polarization of politics in this country has
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.)
I’ve represented Riverside County for more than three decades, and I’ve learned that if you want to get things done for California, you have to be willing to work with people you disagree with.
The nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking has ranked me among California’s most effective members of Congress because I know how to bring people together to get things done. I’ve worked across the aisle to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars for roads, water and flood protection in Riverside County, and worked with Democrats like U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and Gov. Gavin Newsom to cut through federal red tape and transfer seven C-130 air-tankers to CAL FIRE to help protect our communities from wildfires.
I’m a conservative, and I’ll stand my ground
I’m a conservative, and I’ll stand my ground when we disagree. But I also know you can’t represent California effectively if you refuse to work with the other side.
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.)
Like a lot of Americans, my views on same-sex marriage changed over time. It wasn’t always my position. But it’s a different country than it was 30 years ago, and after listening and seeing how the issue affected people and families, my perspective changed.
One of the things people are fed up
One of the things people are fed up with in politics is leaders who can never admit they were wrong. I don’t think changing your mind is a weakness. Sometimes it’s the right thing to do.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
The best book I’ve read this year is “Mark Twain” by Ron Chernow. I was struck by Twain’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential voices in American literature and culture. His story a great reminder of what’s possible through the American Dream. I couldn’t put it down.
