Democratic Rep. Ami Bera faces five challengers in primary election
Longtime Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove, has five challengers in the March 5 primary for California’s 6th Congressional District.
The 6th is entirely within Sacramento County, covering the north side of Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Arden-Arcade and most of Fair Oaks.
The top two vote-getters will advance from the March 5 primary to the Nov. 5 general election.
Ami Bera
Party: Democratic
Age: 58
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Residence: Elk Grove, California
Occupation: U.S. Representative, doctor
Education: UC Irvine (BS in Biological Sciences, MD in Internal Medicine)
Offices held: U.S. Representative, 2013-present
Campaign website address: beraforcongress.com
Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?
I have always been a proponent of addressing government spending and working to reduce the national deficit. However, we cannot impose devastating cuts in funding for critical priorities like education, transportation, housing, Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ health care and humanitarian aid.
Congress must work together toward responsible governance that prioritizes the American people.
Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?
As a doctor, I am committed to protecting a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. I recently co-led the Affordability is Access Act to ensure insurance companies fully cover over-the-counter birth control. I am also proud of my 100% lifetime rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund and my vote in favor of the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify access to reproductive health care.
Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?
It is a false choice to choose between protecting DREAMers and securing the border. We can and should do both.
I stand ready to work across the aisle to pass long overdue reforms that fix our broken immigration system, stem the flow of fentanyl into our communities, establish a clear pathway to citizenship and honor our legacy as a nation of immigrants.
Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?
One reason I’m proud to be a Californian is that we lean into innovation. California continues to lead on environmental policy to fight against climate change and work towards a healthier and more sustainable future. I recently voted against a bill to block California from setting its own vehicle emission standards.
During the last Congress, I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, which together invests in EV charging and clean public transportation and lowers the costs of purchasing electric vehicles. I will continue to advocate for legislation that invests in clean energy, reduces greenhouse gases and promotes electric vehicle infrastructure, among other items.
Adam Barajas
Party: Democratic
Age: 25
Birthplace: Galt, California
Residence: Sacramento, California
Occupation: Retail worker
Education: Liberty Ranch High School degree
Offices held: None
Campaign website address: adambarajasforcongress.com
Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?
To reduce the federal deficit, I will propose legislation to raise taxes on big corporations and wealthy people. With that money, I will enact Medicare-for-All which, according to a study, would save over $450 billion per year.
I will also urge that all American companies must manufacture their products in the U.S. so that we can stop having to rely on importing goods from China and other countries and bring back middle-class, factory, union jobs. This will drastically reduce our trade deficit of over $900 billion.
Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?
I support abortion rights. I will propose a bill which will ban states from outlawing abortion and do whatever I can to create public pressure on Congress and the president to vote for the bill, and create public pressure on the Supreme Court to reverse their recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?
As for immigration and the border, I strongly oppose the use of the CBP One app, which is drastically slowing down the asylum process. Thousands of people flee from gangs and violence and then have to wait months in trash-infested tent camps at the border with no medical assistance or humane treatment for an app to give them an appointment — for which they aren’t provided a phone or internet service to apply for. We need to give these people immediate asylum status and a pathway to citizenship. During the citizenship process, immigrants must be provided food, water, beds, proper shelter, showers, medical assistance, education and humane counseling.
Once undocumented immigrants go through the legal process and become citizens, I want them to enjoy the social policies that I support for all Americans: universal healthcare, tuition-free college, $20 minimum wage, rent assistance, universal food stamps and universal child care. I want all people lifted out of poverty and to have the financial security, free time and education to pursue their passions and ideas.
Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?
Congress needs to invest in the industrial hemp industry to create hemp biofuel and hemp oil to completely replace fossil fuels and plastics. This will not only massively reduce carbon emission, but also save us time and money, since we can use most of our current energy, transportation and manufacturing infrastructure. As our hemp innovations improve over time — allowing us to responsibly replace wood, fuel, oil, plastic and paper with industrial hemp — we can put an end to deforestation, oil drilling and coal mining.
Then our country must move towards a green and renewable form of energy, being electricity through solar, wind and other methods. The U.S. can then patent these technologies and sell them to the rest of the world, making us the leader in the climate change fight and more wealthy to take care of other problems.
Christine Bish
Party: Republican
Age: 57
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Residence: Antelope, California
Occupation: Realtor and financial investigator
Education: No response
Offices held: None
Campaign website address: BishforCongress.com
Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?
To ensure fiscal responsibility, it’s crucial to identify and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending. One way to hold our elected officials accountable is to end omnibus bills and vote independently on expenditures. Congress has a responsibility to safeguard the economic health of our country.
Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now if anything?
The Supreme Court’s recent decision on abortion has made it clear that this is a state rights issue. This means that the issue will need to be addressed within state legislatures. While some believe that abortion is a right, others see it as a choice.
As someone who understands the struggles women face when making this decision, I believe it’s important to continue the conversation and work towards solutions that support women’s health and the well-being of every child, born and unborn.
Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?
Open borders have been a topic of debate for years, but many fail to realize the national security issues that come with them. The impact on American education, safety, our health system and our economy has been irreparable. Drug and sex trafficking is controlled by Mexican cartels, and the open border policy supported by my opponent is only making things worse.
It’s time to secure our borders and closely regulate future immigration to clean up the mess of the current administration. Let’s prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens.
Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?
The protection of our environment and endangered species is a critical issue that requires our attention. To address ecological concerns, we need to take a comprehensive approach that balances the needs of our planet and our communities.
While the hands-off policy of our forests may seem appealing, it has created environmental nightmares. Mismanagement of animal populations puts more species in danger. Similarly, the premature demand for alternative energy sources like wind has drastically impacted endangered bird species. We have seen record numbers of mammals, particularly whales, put in danger by wind farms off our shores.
It is important to acknowledge that the insistence on electric vehicles has increased the number of house fires, putting not only citizens but also first responders at risk. However, we cannot ignore the potential benefits of alternative energy. It is only through free markets that we will achieve energy independence and a sustainable future.
We must also recognize that our planet experiences changes in climate through evolution. The scheme to control people’s economies through reckless climate policies must come to an end. Instead, we need to work towards a balanced approach that protects our environment and allows for economic growth.
We must work together to create a sustainable future for our planet and all its inhabitants.
Craig DeLuz
Party: Republican
Age: 54
Birthplace: Richmond, California
Residence: Sacramento, California
Occupation: Small business owner
Education: California State University, Chico (Bachelor’s in Business Finance)
Offices held: Robla School Board Trustee
Campaign website address: CraigDeluz.com
Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?
Congress has lacked fiscal discipline for decades and that has resulted in this country facing a $32 trillion deficit. As a small business owner and member of a local school board, I can only spend the money I receive. That is the attitude I will bring as a member of Congress.
I also believe we must implement tax reforms that promote economic growth which will increase tax revenues; focus on fostering a strong economy through deregulation and pro-growth policies; and prioritize spending on essential government functions like Social Security and Medicare.
Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?
I’ve been very public about my position on abortion — I have always stood for the protection of innocent life. However, I would support the termination of a pregnancy when the life of the mother is at risk. As a member of Congress, I will focus on giving women the tools and wrap-around services so fewer women have to make that devastating choice of ending a pregnancy.
Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?
It’s clear our borders and border security have been a failure of the Biden administration and Congressman Bera. As your congressman, I believe immigration solutions must include strong border security, strict enforcement of immigration laws, a shift towards a merit-based immigration system, streamlining legal immigration, opposition to amnesty and support for temporary worker programs.
Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?
As a member of Congress, I will support policies that create energy independence and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. The price of gas should not be determined by actions being taken by a Middle Eastern country. This will not only have a positive impact on climate change as the U.S. and Congress control the environmental regulations, but also will foster economic growth and job creation, increase energy supply and stabilize prices, unleash this country’s technological innovation and advancements and expand infrastructure development opportunities.
Ray Riehle
Party: Republican
Age: 62
Birthplace: Inglewood, California
Residence: Citrus Heights, California
Occupation: Business owner of A-Applied Mailing Service, Inc.
Education: University of Notre Dame (BA in History)
Offices held: Citrus Heights Water District Board of Directors
Campaign website address: rayriehle.com
Q. What steps will you urge to help reduce federal deficits?
First, I will encourage my constituency to take a closer look at the U.S. Debt Clock to gain a sense of the magnitude of the problem. As I write this in January, the clock reads: U.S. national debt as greater than $34 trillion, debt per person as over $101,000 and debt per tax payer as more than $264,000.
Without significant reform, we will leave our children and grandchildren an unmanageable national debt. If the pattern is left unchecked, debt will grow to about $100 trillion in the next 20 years. Much of that debt growth is result of irresponsible stimulus spending that drives inflation and debt without really helping restore the economy.
History has shown that tax reduction stimulates economic activity and actually increases tax revenue. Economic growth fuels both prosperity and increased tax revenue. We need to make the middle-class tax cuts permanent and look at both simplification of the tax code and reduction of tax rates. We need a step-by-step commitment, which starts with a responsible balanced budget.
There are a variety of options for managing the money that the government takes from us. One is a zero-base budget that would require justification for spending in every government agency. Another option would be to decrease the tax dollars sent to every government agency by 1% a year for five years. I think it is safe to say that there is at least that much waste in every federal agency.
With a dynamic economy and a well-thought-out budget, we can address the national debt and ensure that the promises made to our citizens are kept. That includes ensuring that that the Social Security Trust Fund is solvent.
Q. What is your view on abortion rights? What would you want Congress to do now, if anything?
I believe human life begins with conception and that an abortion ends a human life. I understand that my belief is not universal. Since the Dobbs decision, power to regulate abortion falls to the states and California will likely be a pro-abortion state for the foreseeable future. I would like to find a solution that includes rational limits on abortion after the first trimester.
There must be stronger enforcement of existing laws that require men to take responsibility for the children they father.
Conservatives have failed to support mothers and children. Resources should be available for counseling, education, mentorship, medical services and tangible support to help pregnant women when they are at their most vulnerable. We should leverage the new economy and provide training opportunities that allow families to thrive in safe and healthy communities.
Q. What changes, if any, do you support for immigration and border policy?
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website shows the magnitude of the failed boarder policy. “Encounters” have increased from almost 2 million in fiscal year 2021 to 2.8 million in fiscal year 2022 to 3.2 million in fiscal year 2023. If the trend continues, my observation is that fiscal year 2024 will have nearly 4 million encounters.
I believe in a strong fence with a wide gate. Immigration policy must be based on the rule of law, defending our national security and meeting the economic interests of the nation. We should improve physical barriers and use advanced technology to curb illegal immigration. This applies to those who illegally cross the border and those who come into the country legally but overstay their visa. I do not support a general amnesty for those who have come into the country illegally.
I prefer a merit-based immigration policy favoring those with skills that contribute to the economy. It should also include a robust guest worker program to allow those who want to come into the country to work to do so if they follow the law. Guest workers should be given all the protections offered by US laws including appropriate wages and safe working conditions.
Strengthening the vetting processes for refugees and asylum-seekers is a necessary part of immigration reform. Our national security depends on knowing who is coming into the country. We should focus on keeping known criminals and those on the terror watch list out of the U.S.
Q. What should Congress’ next steps be in dealing with climate issues?
Much of the debate about climate issues, and current public policy, is dominated by name calling rather than rational thought or real science. We should be measuring the entire impact of climate issues in terms of the economy, social order, technological viability and the environment. Market-driven solutions, innovation and energy independence that prioritize technological advancements will address environmental concerns without hindering economic growth.
Collaborative efforts between the public and private sector will develop sustainable practices with modest, reasoned and reasonable regulations are the foundation of an effective climate policy. International cooperation is an important element to addressing climate issues, but the burden of a successful policy should be equally shared by all nations.
Climate issues are directly impacted by energy policy. Domestic oil and natural gas will be necessary components of any energy policy for the foreseeable future. Domestic production will provide jobs and reduce foreign imports from nations that don’t have our rigorous environment protection policies. It should be possible to speed up the energy production permitting process while maintaining sound environmental policy.
We should: 1. Expand our nuclear energy capabilities; 2. build dams that store water and provide hydroelectric power — stop removing exiting facilities and build more dams that provide clean and plentiful energy; 3. utilize wind, solar and geothermal power where and when they are cost effective; 4. expand exploration of natural gas, oil and coal; 5. promote clean coal-to-liquid and modify and remove outdated regulations restricting using our vast oil shale reserves; 6. utilize clean-burning natural gas; 7. reduce biomass which will decrease the overgrown and “over littered forests” that lead to out-of-control wildfires that dump contaminates into the air and water; and 8. develop effective biofuels that provide energy and sequester carbon.
Chris Richardson
Party: Green
Occupation: Retired programmer
Campaign website address: https://rcr4congress.us/
Did not respond to emailed questions.
This story was originally published February 5, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
CORRECTION: The answers to these questionnaires were originally edited to conform to Associated Press style guidelines on abortion. The language has been restored to the candidates’ unedited words.
