Local candidates for the California State Assembly met on Thursday to discuss their vision for the future of the state and their views on a host of topics, including jobs, homelessness, reproductive rights and more.

The candidates, Assemblyman Gregg Hart and challenger Sari Domingues, discussed their platforms at a forum held by the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara at the Community Environmental Council’s Environmental Hub.

The event was hosted by Claire VanBlaricum. The candidates were each given 90 seconds to answer each question.

Speaking to a small crowd of 11 people, the two candidates were asked about different issues facing California.

One of the first topics for the candidates was jobs and how they affect innovation.

Hart was asked to speak first, and he discussed how proud he was of the gains California has made in recent years. He stated that California is the fifth-largest economy in the world and led the country in creating jobs.

He continued by saying that even though there are positives, the state is facing challenges.

“[The] state of California is working hard to address the affordable housing crisis, which I hear from employers is the No. 1 issue they face in recruiting and retaining employees,” Hart said.   

In her response, Domingues said that one of the things that has affected the California economy was shutting down small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She added that people — including her brother and one of her sons — have left the state during the past few years because of the cost of living.

“If we can stop people from leaving, we would have a better revenue source,” Domingues said. “So, we really need to bring people back and keep people here.”  

She finished by referencing the state’s $73 billion deficit, saying that a state with California’s resources should not have a deficit like that.

During a question on addressing homelessness, mental health and substance abuse, Domingues referenced her time working with Behavioral Wellness for Santa Barbara County.

Domingues called the situation complex and stated that it would take multiple agencies in the community to address the issue. She added that the state can help by giving the agencies more authority to do what they need to do to help people.

She added that getting people off drugs is more important than providing them with homes.

“They’re not going to be able to take care of themselves in their home until they can take care of themselves, and I think that is the goal — to try to help them take care of themselves,” Domingues said.

She said there needs to be facilities that provide services to people with addiction issues.

Hart attributed the rise in homelessness to a lack of affordable housing. He said it’s not just an issue in Santa Barbara County or San Luis Obispo but across the state.

“The legislature is working very hard with local governments to try and increase the production of housing, because the best way to keep someone from being out on the street is to keep them housed,” Hart said.

He said people often turn to drugs and alcohol as a way of dealing with homelessness and the situation they are in.

Hart also referenced programs that have provided housing along with on-site programs that have helped people turn their lives around.

The two candidates shared opposing views on reproductive rights.

Hart called himself a proponent of a woman’s right to choose and reproductive health, saying the Supreme Court made a terrible decision by striking down Roe v. Wade.

In the aftermath of the decision, Hart said California has stepped in to fill the void.

“It isn’t appropriate for government to dictate to women what their future is in terms of their own choices about children and reproductive health,” Hart said.  

He supported his stance by saying he is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.

Domingues expressed an opposite view on reproductive rights, saying she is “pro-life and always have been.”

She said she supports women’s rights, but women need to take care of their bodies and avoid getting pregnant. She stressed the need for education of young men and women.

“I’d like to see abortions become less and less because we’re being smart and responsible about what we’re doing with our bodies before we get pregnant,” Domingues said.

At the end of the event, the moderator, VanBlaricum, thanked the two candidates for their time and for respecting the time limits for the questions.

One of the attendees was Michael Nicholson. Although he said he already had decided who he was going to vote for, he wanted to see what the candidates said and learn more about their views.

“I thought it was informative,” Nicholson said. “I enjoyed hearing both people speak and … comparing both people, their presentation and, basically, level of honesty.”