Babar Khan, AD-71 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: Babar Khan

Current Job Title: Businessman

Political Party Affiliation: Peace and Freedom

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Peace and Freedom Party county chair

City where you reside: Murrieta

Campaign website or social media: www.Peaceandfreedom.us

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?

Victims of Israel and Palestine need care and help regardless of their religious background. We as Americans love peace and security for all human beings. America always helps first. American goals are help and humanity regardless of any background, as our history proves.

We are under a huge monetary debt in the trillions but always go for help inside and outside of U.S. I love Jews, Christians and Muslims equally as long as they are good people. God created everyone. This conflict is not due to religion; it is a political conflict. We stand for peace and freedom. We are a unique political party in California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has the same type of policies as President Joe Biden. We have too many regulations in California that discourage investment to create jobs. More crimes are happening under the Democratic Party … so both political parties, Democrats and Republicans, have failed. This is the time we have to give a chance to a third party. We stand for real, common and actual people of California who are facing day-to-day issues. Our goal is Americans and America first. I will serve my full strength to make Californians stronger, and I will take their issues as my own issue.

The Peace and Freedom Party will bring a positive change because we do not work for special interest groups. We believe people are power and have all the good policies for the poor and working class first but at the same time respect business people. Too much love for the people of California.

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?

Only U.S. citizens should allowed to vote because of the country’s security and prosperity.

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.

We should improve our business revenue through our ports, tourism, AI and IT and encourage businesses to have fewer regulations. We should encourage good foreign investment in California and facilitate them as tax holidays.

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

Health, education and law enforcement but create a task force to check and catch fraud in many fields. Where we are wasting tax-payer money in California?

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?

Education to people and awareness. Sex trafficking should be punished seriously.

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?

Arrangements to support mental health issues inside the inexpensive cities because our metropolitan areas are suffering as California becomes the capital of homeless people in the nation. San Francisco and Los Angeles are great examples after New York’s homeless population. Inside the smallest cities will create jobs and homeless people will get opportunities to have small one-bedroom facilities to enjoy and start a good life to go back to metropolitan areas after getting treatment.

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?

Yes, I demand $21 per hour as a minimum wage because we have inflation and the dollar value has declined.

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

Solar is the answer. Climate change is real, and solar is profitable. Look how China is growing in it.

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

I would like my district to grow financially by encouraging tax holidays and benefits to IT and AI-oriented businesses. We should encourage clean foreign investment-friendly programs to promote revenue.

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?

Mental health issues are common and serious because our leaders in Sacramento have failed so we have to take this priority seriously. Give me a chance as a change and third-party candidate to make a difference.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Technical education, medical reforms, moral education and support to society. Compulsory draft for California youth to volunteer every month for a few hours.

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

Simple water is the best drink. Obesity is on the rise.