Dom Jones, AD-72 candidate, 2024 primary election questionnaire

Ahead of the March primary, The Orange County Register compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Dom Jones

Current Job Title: Businesswoman + television host

Political Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Huntington Beach

Campaign website or social media: Website: www.domjones.org; Instagram: domjones.unity

Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?

California is positioned to become the fourth largest economy in the world, following the U.S., China and Japan. Due to our pivotal role in America’s gross domestic product, I believe California should continue to take a leadership role in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations. This is critical to continue driving economic prosperity for our strong labor workforce and advancing global policy initiatives to combat climate change.

There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?

I firmly believe in a person’s right to vote and participate in our democratic process. It is well known that voter ID requirements suppress voter participation, particularly among historically disenfranchised Black, Latino, Asian and Native American communities. California has led the way to enshrine and expand on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and I fully support the laws we have in place that intend to protect voters’ rights and increase voter turnout. I believe the primary and general election days should be designated state holidays to ensure every voter has the opportunity to vote.

The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.

California can address the budget deficit through a balanced approach to tax fairness, including requiring the wealthiest individuals and corporations that are currently receiving the largest tax breaks to pay their fair share. And we should be identifying waste and duplication in the budget so we keep it lean and efficient.

Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?

My top three priorities are:- Making housing more affordable.- Guarantee access to affordable healthcare to reduce costs and prevent medical debt.- Ensuring our public schools, colleges and career training programs are building opportunities for strong careers.

The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?

While there must be a balanced approach to these sensitive issues, the safety and welfare of our children, women, families and communities would be a top priority of mine when making critical decisions dealing with the justice system.

Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?

An effective approach to alleviating homelessness involves streamlining bureaucratic processes at the local level. This enables collaboration among municipalities, nonprofits and the private sector to expedite housing production, meeting the growing demand and enhancing affordability. Implementing incentives that encourage density, transit-oriented development and exemptions to mitigate rising construction costs can yield positive outcomes.

The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?

Due to the rising cost of living, I believe we should explore the minimum wage standards across industries. Having been a small business owner, I understand there are concerns about the potential hardship this can place on local businesses. I’m interested in exploring what this may look like for larger businesses and corporations that have the revenue to support a higher minimum wage standard.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

Climate change is a public health issue and an economic issue. I would champion policies that support protecting and cleaning our oceans, beaches, ports and the communities most impacted by the plastics and pollution we see across the district.

What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?

Our coastline is critical for our economy and way of life. A key capital improvement project for the Orange County coastline would be investing in coastal erosion mitigation measures to protect the beaches and shoreline infrastructure in Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach. This would include the implementation of critical seawalls, beach nourishment and flood barrier restoration to safeguard against erosion and enhance resilience to rising sea levels.

The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?

We must prioritize behavioral health facilities and supportive housing programs with wrap-around services that can provide 24/7 support to people with less severe disorders. These facilities should be rooted in providing humane and holistic approaches, with qualified and trained professionals who can help provide treatment and connect people to further critical resources.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

People and solutions, not politics.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Fruit and veggies.