I am running because I believe in a better California for us and our children, a California that is great. I have seen what has happened to our once great state and it is a shame. I did not enter this race until the last day. I looked at who was running and believe that I am better qualified, better suited and that I will represent the people better.

How would you work with a strong Democratic majority at the state level?

Throughout my life I have built relationships, networks and coalitions to get things done. I was taught that everyone is in green and we all bleed red. When working with people from different backgrounds and cultures, which is what party lines truly are, everyone on the legislature is going to have different ideas and viewpoints. I have the leadership ability to work across the aisle with anyone. I believe in open door and open door policy and I am not afraid to sit at the table with anyone. We have grown too strong with the divide of partisanships and must work together to build a better California, period. I believe that I will be able to follow the footsteps of President Ronald Reagan and even President Bill Clinton, they both worked with political opponents to confront the challenges facing the nation and created bipartisan solutions. Reagan worked with a Democratic Congress to pass comprehensive tax reforms. I believe I can do the same here in California. It is simple – it is not about me, it is about doing what is right for the people, period.

How are you different from other Republicans?

I stand apart in this race as the war veteran who then went to college and got a BA in Public Administration. I was raised here in the Valley and grew up a country boy. I was raised with simple core values and beliefs. “Your word is your bond.” “If you say you are going to do something, you do it.” “If you are going to do something, do it right the first time, do not cut corners.” I was raised a patriot. I know what hard work is, and I know what it is like to hit rock bottom and have nothing. I believe I am the only candidate that has had the lives of others depend on their decisions. I know the difference between leadership and likership, I know how to swallow my pride and work with others to get things done.

Who will you support for governor?

The governor’s race is simple. While at the California Republican Party convention in Burlingame a few months back, I met Tim Donnelly. I met a few of the other candidates too, but Tim showed me respect and gave me his time of day, which shows a lot. I had a few very good conversations with him, he gave me a few pointers. “Thank you Tim.” He is a person who has common sense like me and he is willing to listen to people, that shows true leadership. From what I saw, he made time to talk to anyone who wanted his ear. The others seemed to have their own agendas, Tim was there for the people. I believe we need a governor who is for the people and not for an agenda.

What are your views on guns?

When do you want to go shoot? “This is my weapon, this my gun, this one’s for fighting, this one’s for fun,” – Full Metal Jacket. Guns are not the problem, it is the people behind them, people are the problem. Cars do not kill people in crashes, bad drivers do. I teach my boys weapons safety with Nerf guns so that they know how dangerous they can be. One of my favorite quotes in regards to the matter is, “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.” Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Coming from the Army National Guard, I believe that we should uphold to our second amendment rights and that the idea of creating a list pushes us even farther down the slippery slope to taking away our personal rights and freedoms.

The ACA will not cover undocumented people. What are your thoughts on this?

Do people need medical coverage? That is an easy yes, the hard part is who pays for it. The ACA or Obamacare sets tax penalties onto those who do not get a plan. Can you set a tax penalty on someone who is undocumented? No you cannot. Our people and businesses are bearing the brunt of Obamacare. I believe we need to take care of our citizens first and foremost. If people want to have the benefits of being an American citizen, then they need to follow the steps to do so. Yes, our country is great because we are the great melting pot of the world and we take immigrants from around the world, but they became Americans. In order to pursue the American Dream you first need to become an American.

What are your views on fracking?

I am not against it, however at this time and based on the current research, Fracking is a poor choice for our Valley and our state, as it produces extreme amounts of waste-water which cannot be treated through current water treatment facilities. Until further research and better practices are set into place, it is of too high a risk and will waste the much needed water that our industries and our people require. We need potable water not waste-water.

What are your views on the water bond initiative?

Is there ever enough water? The answer to that is no, so how much is too much? There is never too much when it comes to water. When you hear that phrase, “Water is the element of life,” it truly is just that. We use water for everything from drinking to irrigation all the way to using it in our power plants. Bottom line is that California’s water infrastructure is horribly outdated. As to what should be in a water bond, our current legislators are still arguing over who is going to have the better idea. We should have passed the Water Bond in 2010. If we had, maybe then we would not be in the mess we are in now, and instead we would have built and stored the water versus hurting for it. As far as what should be in a water bond, I believe we should consult the experts, the Association of California Water Agencies. Their list has groundwater cleanup, safe drinking water, watershed protection, resources development projects including Integrated Regional Management programs.

What are your thoughts on the high-speed rail?

I feel that we should spend that money on fixing our outdated roads, bridges and water infrastructure. A passenger train is not going to bring businesses back to our state; however, a solid infrastructure will. Providing well-paved roads for shipping and receiving, having enough water to maintain power plants so we do not have brownouts – those are the things our state needs. When those issues are addressed we will begin seeing jobs flooding back into the Valley.

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Teresita “Tess” Andres has lived in Visalia for 12 years. Born in 1952 in Butuan City of the Philippines, at nine years old, she managed her family farm after her father’s death. She earned a BA in Criminology and served in the Office of the Executive Secretary of the President of the Philippines. Now a US citizen, she is married, and she is a Kaweah Delta employee and an independent home care contractor while studying at College of the Sequoias.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

My three main reasons in running for office are to utilize my experience, knowledge and skill set for the benefit of my fellow citizens, to empower District 26 in Sacramento, and to be a voice for our communities that are diverse in careers, interests and backgrounds. My role models include Mona Pasquil, former lieutenant governor, and Thani Sakauye, chief justice of California–these are strong minority women who advocate for social justice, opportunities and progress in our state. I want to give back to the community, such as by addressing concerns of farmers, veterans and students, and this is my opportunity. I will not quit until the job is done.

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR THE 26TH DISTRICT?

I am the most experienced in government and public services, locally and internationally. I have a multicultural background, so I support diversity with conservative values since positive traditions are important to cherish and continue. The languages I speak include English, Cebuano (Visaya), Tagalog and a bit of Spanish. As an active student for several years at the College of the Sequoias, I understand the needs of youth and fellow students. For example, I now have ten certificates. Achieving them involved hard work: working full-time while studying, which meant only about five hours of sleep each day. But I always passed my classes and I also served as a student ambassador, bringing the issues of students from COS to Sacramento. For the student activities I led, I received a service award. For having good grades, I was nominated to the Who’s Who Among Students of American Universities and Colleges. Furthermore, I have mingled with different socioeconomic classes and, therefore, I comprehend their perspectives. One adversity I faced was the death of my father when I was nine years old. As the eldest, I took the responsibility of managing our small farm in the Philippines. I have been able to empathize with businessmen, farmers and people facing adversity. Through this experience, since an early age, I gained decision-making, time management and leadership skills, such as through dealing with tenants and workers. I grew in compassion for the people as well. I don’t like wasting time, and I don’t quit until the job is done.

HOW WILL YOU BE EFFECTIVE AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY?

I can get along well with any party. For instance, in my experience in the Philippines, when I worked in the Office of the Executive Secretary of the President of the Philippines, I invited everyone from the opposite fence to join the administration. Also, part of my job was to welcome foreign dignitaries visiting the Philippines to participate in historical events, such as the Asia Pacific Economic Council meeting. Because I don’t quit until the job is done, I am open to collaboration to accomplish progress and complete the work. All problems cannot be solved by one person or one party alone. There must be cooperation.

WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING FOR GOVERNOR?

For now, my priority is my candidacy. I wish someone from the San Joaquin Valley will run for governor of California. I hope my candidacy and this opportunity for me to be elected–to represent District 26 in the State Assembly–will inspire other local leaders to make a difference in the state government.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON GUNS IN THIS SOCIETY?

I am committed to protecting the freedom and safety of fellow citizens with the Second Amendment.

THE ACA WILL NOT COVER UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

We first need to prioritize utilizing our resources for the health and wellness of our citizens and permanent residents. In my healthcare experience, I have met many people eligible for benefits and who advocate for strong healthcare. We also need to pay attention to our veterans, including those with mental health issues like PTSD.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON FRACKING?

As of now, I support more alternative energy sources. For instance, we can invest in solar energy and even in biofuels since the San Joaquin Valley is rich in agriculture. If we do so, our Valley will prosper further, and we can also ensure the health, safety and economic security of our people.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE WATER BOND INITIATIVE?

I do not support borrowing more funds, which will increase our debt. I believe we can solve the water issue in innovative ways. Not only do we need to be conservative with water, but also with our funds and other resources. Yet we can still invest in our people. I understand, for instance, that many local dairy farms had to close due to the water issue and high price of feeds. This should be an opportunity to motivate us all in finding effective solutions. I propose investing in local businesses and in clean energy sources in order to both save and generate money in order to fund solutions to the water crisis. We can give tax breaks to entrepreneurs, because in innovation, we can find solutions. They are an asset of our state. Helping our businessmen stay in California can also help keep our economy alive.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL?

Agriculture is the backbone of the San Joaquin Valley, feeding the nation. The high-speed rail can destroy much farmland and natural resources. We need to conserve our resources, including our homes, property and livelihood.

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With over twenty years and counting of public service — including work with the Tulare and Fresno City Fire Departments and over six years serving on the Tulare City Council — Carlton Jones is running for State Assembly District 26. He wants to take a common sense approach for finding solutions to the state level.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?

In my case, it would be all about timing. My introduction to politics started back in high school. My dream was to be a fireman – and after playing collegiate sports and coming back home to Tulare, where I was born and raised and love it – I got to be a fireman, which introduced me to the city council. In 2004, I was on the council, from 2004 to 2008, and I was re-elected in 2012. With our local representative, Connie Conway, terming out at the State Assembly, I felt the experience that I have, being as a councilman, being as a public employee – I’m a hometown guy, and I see the disconnect that our area, District 26, the strained relationship that we have with the capital, and I want to repair that so we have quality representation there.

HOW CAN YOU FEEL CONFIDENT IN SUCH A STRONGLY REPUBLICAN DISTRICT?

I think at the end of the day, people just want true representation, and one of my goals is to make sure that people see that your name is bigger than your party on the ballot sheet, and that it’s for a reason. The message that we have and the message we need to deliver should be bigger than the party itself. That’s how I’ve always been as a council member, that’s how I’ve always been as a firefighter, as a person in church, and in those different aspects of my life the party wasn’t an issue. The people that I represent, and the people that believe in me, the party is not an issue.

I HEARD YOU HAVE TWO CAMPAIGN MANAGERS. HOW IS THAT WORKING?

Actually, I have three. Well, my wife is actually my life manager, and then Abigail Solis is a campaign manager and Becky Shields is my branding and marketing specialist. And they’re all campaign managers. And they all give me great advice. They all believe in and stand up for what I believe in. It’s interesting how my team came together and started. I met Abigail when she was working for a water company in Visalia, and as issue was raised in the water bills in Tulare, and she came and made a presentation before our city council. With water being a huge issue, I recruited her. I’ve never pretended to be the master at anything, but when you’re seeking expert advice, when you’re building a team, you definitely want to surround yourself by people who know different areas a lot better than you do. So I can learn from them, I can use them as a resource, and that’s how I recruited Abigail. And then Becky Shields came highly recommended from close friends that said she is a master at marketing. You look and compare my branding, the image that she put out for me, and just the artwork itself is hands above the competition. And she’s doing an amazing job at it. Her advice has been keeping me calm and keeping me grounded, and reminding me why I’m running. Between Abigail, my wife – my wife, first of all, because she sees me when they don’t – there is a constant encouragement that probably means more than anything to me.

Between my wife, Abigail, and Becky Shields, they keep me into it pretty good.

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DEMOCRATS?

You know, I don’t know. To answer that question, I would have to know what all other Democrats are like, and I tell people that’s our biggest blessing – one of the things our military fights for is our right to be different, our right to be individuals. You know, I would hope I’m different just based off of my life experiences. I appreciate other people’s differences. I really try not to make this as Carlton running against anyone else. To me that’s when politics are broke, when one person is running against another person. The way I look at it, and I’ve always looked at it like this, is there’s a seat available. I’m going to show everyone and tell everyone the type of representative I want to be, and encourage them to vote for me and try to listen, and show them my goals and the way I want to deliver their message – it isn’t my own message, it’s the district’s message – and stay away from running against anybody else. I’m running for a seat, and it wouldn’t matter who else is running for that seat, that I’m running for that seat. Or if nobody else is running, my goal is the seat of District 26, not to beat anyone. I’m not running against anyone.

HOW DO YOU THINK GOVERNOR BROWN IS DOING?

Currently, I represent a small district of the city of Tulare, which I hope that people will see that I’m representing the entire Tulare, which is made up of 65,000 people. I’m running for a district that represents 450,000 people, and I’m seeing the challenges that they feel there. Any governor, he represents the entire state. He represents a state that is extremely divided, and as a coach I always tell people it’s not my job to teach people how to play the sport – it’s my job to get them to play together. In the political realm it’s the same thing, especially when you’re a partisan representative. He’s still the entire state’s governor. He’s still the Governor of California. And when we’re so divided by party, you know, I understand his challenges. I’ve prayed for him. I hope at the end of the day when he leaves his seat, he can look back and be proud of himself. My job as a Californian is, he’s our governor right now and until the voters say something different, I’m going to support him. And it would be the same if I was a state official. As a State Assemblyman, he would be my governor, and I want to work with him. My goal isn’t to change the way he does his seat, it’s to change the way we’re looked at here in District 26.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON GUNS?

I believe in the Second Amendment. I don’t believe that individuals should own tanks. We shouldn’t be able to out-arm our military. We need to hold any criminal, regardless if it’s a crime with a gun or not, we need to hold them accountable for the letter of the law. You know, I’m a firm believer that it’s the person who commits the crime and it’s not what they commit the crime with. I don’t own guns now, but I have in the past and I was a responsible gun owner. And I think there are a lot of responsible gun owners who get labeled by the bad actions of individuals. And that’s the same with anything.

THE ACA IS NOT GOING TO COVER UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

I don’t thinks that’s right. I think if you’re here working and you’re paying taxes into it you should be afforded the benefits of that system.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON FRACKING?

I disagree with it because anything that does unknown damage isn’t safe. And for the benefits it may have as far as the economy, it’s twice as bad for the environment.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL?

The high-speed rail is in my opinion something that can be good. And this is my personal opinion. Here’s an opportunity to create jobs to kind of diversify our investment as a district. But once again, I represent a district. And my personal opinion would just be a part of the message that needs to be delivered. So, at the end of the day if I’m for high-speed rail and the majority of my constituents are against it, then the message I need to deliver to Sacramento is that we’re against it.

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