Raul Ortiz Jr., AD-64 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: Raul Ortiz, Jr.

Current Job Title: Branch Pest Control Manager

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: VP CRA/Ex-Officio for LAGOP, OCGOP, and CAGOP delegate

City where you reside: La Mirada

Campaign website or social media: www.raulortizforassembly.com

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, as a global economic powerhouse and a hub for innovation and technology, possesses significant influence in international affairs. However, California’s primary focus should be on its domestic responsibilities, ensuring the well-being of its citizens and upholding state sovereignty. While individual state leaders may engage in trade discussions or cultural exchanges, foreign policy is primarily a federal matter. California should avoid overextending its influence in global affairs as it risks diluting the unified stance of the U.S. on critical issues. It’s essential to prioritize the concerns and interests of Californians, ensuring that any international engagement aligns with the broader national strategy and values.

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?

Some argue for a balance between ensuring the integrity of the voting process and facilitating participation. Here are a few specific considerations:

– Voter ID requirements: Many constituents from both the Republicans and Democrats support voter ID laws, arguing that they help prevent voter fraud. California needs to consider implementing a voter ID requirement while ensuring provisions are in place to assist American citizens who may have difficulty obtaining an ID.

– Cleansing voter rolls: Regularly updating and cleansing voter rolls to remove deceased individuals, duplicate registrations and those who have moved out of state is essential to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

– Limit ballot harvesting: There have been concerns about ballot harvesting, where third parties collect and submit ballots on behalf of others. Some voters advocate for stricter regulations or limits on this practice to reduce the potential for coercion or fraud.

– Ensuring noncitizen involvement doesn’t compromise integrity: While facilitating civic engagement is important, allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, as proposed in Santa Ana, would be detrimental to a republic form of government. There is already a pathway to citizenship that needs to be followed to enjoy the freedoms of voting in our free republic.

– Enhancing transparency: Ensuring that the voting process is transparent, with clear oversight and the ability for observers from all parties to monitor in an up close and personal space, can help build trust in the system.

In essence, any changes to California’s voting laws should prioritize maintaining the integrity of the electoral process while also considering ways to facilitate legitimate participation.

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.

Addressing California’s record deficit would necessitate fiscal responsibility and reduced reliance on expansive government programs. First, California could prioritize spending by conducting a thorough review of all state-funded programs to identify inefficiencies and eliminate redundant or non-essential services. This would involve consolidating departments, cutting unnecessary administrative costs and reevaluating subsidies and grants that don’t offer a clear return on investment.

Second, California could implement pro-growth economic policies to stimulate the state’s economy and increase revenue without raising taxes. This could include reducing regulatory burdens on businesses to encourage investment and job creation, reforming the state’s pension system to long-term sustainability and promoting public-private partnerships to leverage private sector resources for infrastructure projects. By adopting these measures, California can address its deficit while fostering a more competitive and prosperous economic environment.

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

My top three budget priorities for California would be:

– Fiscal responsibilities: Implementing strict spending controls and eliminating wasteful programs to address the $68 billion deficit. This involves conducting thorough audits, reducing unnecessary administrative costs and prioritizing essential services over non-essential programs.

– Economic growth: Lowering taxes for individuals and businesses as well as reducing regulatory burdens to stimulate economic growth, attract investment and create jobs. By reducing the tax burden on Californians, the state can foster a more competitive business environment and increase overall revenue without resorting to tax hikes.

– Pension sustainability: Addressing the unfunded pension liabilities that pose a significant long-term risk to the state’s financial stability. This involves implementing reforms to ensure that pension benefits are sustainable and align with the state’s ability to fund them without compromising essential services or necessitating tax increases.

By focusing on these priorities, California can achieve fiscal responsibility, promote economic prosperity and safeguard the future well-being of its residents.

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?

Balancing criminal justice reform with public safety requires a nuanced approach that prioritizes accountability for heinous crimes like child sex trafficking while also addressing underlying systemic issues. First, I would advocate for targeted reforms that enhance penalties for offenders involved in child sex trafficking, ensuring that those responsible face significant consequences for their actions.

Simultaneously, I would support initiatives aimed at rehabilitating low-level offenders and providing them with opportunities for reintegration into society, thereby reducing recidivism rates and promoting long-term public safety. This could include investing in evidence-based rehabilitation programs, expanding access to mental health and substance abuse treatment and supporting community-based initiatives that address the root causes of criminal behavior.

By adopting a balanced approach that combines tough penalties for serious offenses with targeted reform efforts, we can create a more just and secure society for all Californians.

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?

One proposal to address homelessness immediately would be to refund our law enforcement departments. Providing the funding that they once had would enable them to once again start their internal rehabilitation programs inside the jails — programs that once helped inmates to reintegrate back into society.

Longer sentencing for criminals would give them a chance to clean up from drug charges and get them help from the new programs that would further help the inmate’s rehabilitation back into society. This would be just two ways that will have a direct impact on our homelessness issue.

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?

When we are talking about minimum wage, we are in essence referring to skill and performance. We are not paid for the hour for just showing up. We are paid for the hour for the value we bring to it.

If we want our workers to earn more so that they can earn a livable wage, then we need to consider providing the education, training and mindset to make one more valuable and perform in that hour that the marketplace will reward. We must invest and provide opportunities through high school and beyond, programs that can create a more skilled workforce in whatever field one may choose.

Raising the minimum wage is not the answer. Investing into the skill level to make our workforce more valuable will be rewarded by the marketplace that allows one to earn above and beyond a minimum wage.

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

One environment or climate change policy that I will champion will be to introduce legislation that will prohibit the intentional releasing of polluting emissions, including cloud seeding, weather modification, excessive electromagnetic radio frequency, microwave radiation and making penalties for violations of such prohibition.

Atmospheric activities such as weather modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, solar radiation modification and other forms of geoengineering — involving the intentional release of polluting emissions that harm human health and safety, the environment, agriculture, wildlife, aviation, state security and the economy — must be stopped. This is what truly is fomenting our climate change and causing devastating long-term effects on us all.

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

My capital improvement I’d advocate for in the 64th district is encompassing cities like La Habra, Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Downey, Bell Gardens, Bell and Cudahy would be bolstering local law enforcement infrastructure. Given rising concerns about public safety and the need to maintain law and order, investing in upgraded police facilities, training academies and community policing initiatives would be paramount.

Enhancing these aspects not only ensures the safety and security of residents but also fosters trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. By allocating resources to strengthen law enforcement capabilities in these cities, prioritizing public safety, respecting law and order and ensuring that communities remain vibrant and secure places to live and work.

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?

In addition to the CARE courts program, California can further prioritize mental health care by enhancing community-driven initiatives. Establishing partnerships with faith-based organizations and nonprofits can amplify support networks and provide resources for those with less severe disorders. Additionally, incentivizing private-sector involvement through tax credits or grants can stimulate the development of innovative mental health services and facilities.

Promoting mental health education in schools and workplaces can also be crucial, fostering early recognition and intervention. Expanding telehealth services can enhance access, particularly in rural areas, ensuring more residents can connect with mental health professionals conveniently. Furthermore, reforming regulations to encourage the practice of licensed counselors and therapists can address the shortage of mental health providers.

By adopting a comprehensive approach that leverages community resources, private sector innovation and targeted educational initiatives, California can create a more accessible and responsive mental health care system that supports residents across the spectrum of need, aligning with principles of localized solutions and individual empowerment.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Limited government, personal responsibilities, traditional values, individual liberty, biblical principles.

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

My go-to campaign trail snack and drink are protein bars and a protein shake. I keep them on hand to get my body’s energy levels up.