WHNC Voter Reference Guide
Summary of Publicly-Available Candidate Positions on State Housing Fast-Track Laws
Statewide Direct Primary Election | June 2, 2026 | LA City Council District 3 (CD3) Ballot
This guide last updated: May 2026
An appendix of extended length candidate statements, provided by a few candidates in response to our inquiries, is available as a pdf from this link.
If you would prefer to view this guide as a PDF instead of this webpage, get a pdf at this link.
About This Voter Guide
What this guide is. This is a neighbor-prepared reference summary of where candidates on the June 2, 2026 primary ballot stand on the state housing laws being used to fast-track the proposed 398-unit development at the Woodland Hills Country Club (WHCC). It is not a political endorsement. Our group has not endorsed any candidate. We are sharing this so neighbors can quickly see what positions candidates have taken in their own public statements, and decide for themselves.
What we researched. For each candidate, we looked for public statements, voting records, and campaign positions on:
- AB 2011 (2022) — the original "Affordable Housing & High Road Jobs Act" creating ministerial (no-CEQA, no-public-hearing) approval for housing on commercial corridors. The law being used at WHCC.
- AB 2243 (2024) — the major expansion of AB 2011 that broadened "commercial corridor" definitions and shortened review timelines.
- AB 893 (2025) — further expansion redefining "site" so larger parcels can be split into qualifying sub-20-acre projects.
- SB 79 (2025) — transit-oriented density preemption allowing 4-9 story buildings near rail/rapid bus stops; LA City Council voted 8-5 to oppose.
- LA Executive Directive 1 (ED1) — Mayor Bass's local fast-track for 100% affordable housing approvals.
- The WHCC project specifically — public statements about the 398-unit development at 4868 N. Canoga Ave / 21150 Dumetz.
- Related local-control / state-preemption regulation — general posture on whether the state should override local zoning and CEQA, and on whether community engagement should be preserved in housing approvals.
How to read this guide. Each candidate is given a color-coded rating on the WHCC-relevant question — would they support or oppose densification through fast-track / expedited approvals without community engagement? Where no public record was found, we either marked the candidate with a gray (no record) circle or — where party affiliation, professional background, or endorsement profile gave us a clear indication — used inference, marked clearly with an [Inferred from party/profile] tag. When in doubt, default to the candidate's own statements over our inferences.
📊 Scoring Key
📚 Background: The Laws at the Heart of the WHCC Fight
1. LA City Mayor
The Mayor signs executive orders affecting housing approvals (e.g., ED1), appoints planning commissioners, and is the city's lead voice on state housing legislation. One of the most consequential races for the WHCC fight.
Link to 16 Min Clip of LA City Mayor Debate - video description includes link to full length video.
Note: 14 candidates are on the ballot. Per our group's methodology, we are profiling only the top 5 by polling and serious-contender status (UCLA Luskin School April 2026 poll). Listed in alphabetical order.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Karen Ruth Bass (D)
Mayor, City of Los Angeles (incumbent)
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MIXED record, but recent actions lean toward LOCAL CONTROL. Pro-fast-track on the front end: signed Executive Directive 1 (ED1) fast-tracking 100% affordable housing approvals. BUT subsequently rolled it back to exclude single-family neighborhoods, historic districts, and rent-controlled buildings — restrictions that satisfied many neighborhood groups. OPPOSED SB 79: led the LA City Council 8-5 vote against it in August 2025. Has actively pushed to delay SB 79 implementation in LA until 2030. The ED1 rollback and SB 79 opposition vote are the most concrete recent housing-streamlining stances by any LA-City elected official, and they cut against fast-tracking. We rate her as "yellow-green" — between mixed and against — to reflect that her recent record is meaningfully more anti-fast-track than her early ED1 position alone would suggest. |
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Rae Chen Huang (D)
Deputy Director, Housing Now! California / DSA member
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Position provided by Candidate: "Rae strongly supports the efficient building of long-term affordable housing, especially near transit. She wants to build that housing in areas that are safe for residents, and for nature. She is not looking to densify areas that are at high risk of not being able to safely sustain tenants and homeowners. And she values CEQA for its ability to achieve its purpose – to help us understand how to minimize environmental harm. These considerations are not in opposition with Los Angeles’s urgent need for more density. Creating a climate-resilient city of safe, affordable housing requires nuanced planning that honors all parts of this goal." . |
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Adam Miller (D)
Tech Entrepreneur / Co-founder of Better Angels (homelessness/housing nonprofit)
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Pro-supply ("basic supply and demand"); co-founded affordable housing nonprofit. BUT explicitly stated: "What makes no sense is putting an eight-story building in the middle of a neighborhood with single-family houses." On SB 79, called it "our punishment as a city for not delivering the housing that we need." Mixed record. |
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Spencer Pratt (R)
Community Advocate / Reality TV
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[Inferred from party/profile] Lost his Pacific Palisades home in the January 2025 fire and runs his campaign from a trailer placed on his burned-out lot. Campaign emphasizes disaster-recovery delays, reducing bureaucracy in rebuilding, and "removing barriers" for fire victims. As a Palisades resident-victim, his platform centers on fire safety and skepticism of expedited high-density approvals in fire-risk areas. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79, but his anti-establishment, fire-safety-first platform aligns with concerns about ministerial approval pathways. | |
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Nithya Raman (D)
LA Councilmember CD4 / Urban Planner / DSA member
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VOTED AGAINST the LA City Council resolution opposing SB 79 (Aug 2025). Supports ED1 fast-track for affordable housing in single-family neighborhoods (only councilmember to vote for ED1 projects in other districts). In 2024 proposed allowing mid-sized apartments near transit in single-family zones (rejected 10-5). Endorsed by Abundant Housing LA. Strongly pro-density. |
2. LA City Attorney
The City Attorney represents LA in court and writes formal opposition/support letters on state legislation. Highly relevant — the current City Attorney has been the city's most vocal anti-SB-79 voice.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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John McKinney
Deputy District Attorney
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Career prosecutor; runs on law-and-order platform. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79 in available records. | |
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Marissa Roy
Deputy Attorney General
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State-level prosecutor. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79 in available records. | |
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Hydee Feldstein Soto
Los Angeles City Attorney (incumbent)
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Sent formal opposition letter to SB 79 in May 2025, arguing it would impose "billions of dollars of costs on Los Angeles" and "undermine local governance." Reportedly planning legal attack on SB 79 through state commission. Strong, on-record opposition to state housing preemption. | |
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Aida Ashouri
Human Rights Attorney
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Legal career has civil rights / human rights focus. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79 in available records. |
3. LA City Council, District 3 (CD3) — MOST DIRECTLY RELEVANT
This is OUR district. The next CD3 councilmember will inherit Bob Blumenfield's active fight against the WHCC project, including the pending motions on the vacant-land definition (CF 26-0184), the Canoga Avenue street vacation (CF 26-0198), and the resolution requesting state-level clarification (CF 26-0002-S7). The single most consequential local race for the WHCC fight.
Link to 9 Min Clip of LA CD3 Debate - video description includes link to full length video.
Link to 15 Min Clip of LA CD3 Debate - video description includes link to full length video.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Christopher Robert "C.R." Celona
Tech Entrepreneur
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Position provided by Candidate:
"I do support building more housing, especially near transit and job centers, because we need to address affordability. But I do not support the Woodland Hills Country Club project or fast-tracking development in high fire-risk areas without proper safeguards, LAFD approval, and meaningful community input. I think that any laws with the intent to spur development should all include a carve-out to exclude VHFSZs and on SMMC lands. I support the intent behind SB 79 when it comes to building more housing near transit. Los Angeles is facing a serious housing shortage and we are not going to solve affordability unless we build more. To me, it makes the most sense to focus on new dense housing near transit hubs and job centers. " |
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Timothy K. Gaspar
Valley Businessman / Endorsed by outgoing Bob Blumenfield
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Summary Position provided in our guide confirmed as correct by Candidate.
Guide Summary Position: Defends local control while on the other hand saying he supports upzoning when it makes sense. On WHCC specifically: "The proposal to construct nearly 400 residential units on the Woodland Hills Country Club property — at this scale and in this location — raises serious and unresolved concerns. These concerns are not about opposing housing; they are about public safety..." Endorsed by Blumenfield (the lead opponent of the WHCC project).Has campaigned directly on the WHCC issue. |
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Barri Worth Girvan
Valley Community Advocate
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Summary Position provided in our guide received by Candidate:
Guide Summary Position: On SB 79: "Supports it but worries that it eventually will allow much taller buildings in high-risk fire areas, particularly hillsides. She would work with state lawmakers to seek amendments." Quote: "We can't just be building the housing if we don't have the fire department resources or the road capacity to handle it." On WHCC specifically: "I'm doing a deep dive, and making sure I hear from all stakeholders." Mixed/qualified position. |
4. California State Assembly, District 46 — HIGHLY RELEVANT
The Assemblymember from AD-46 represents the West San Fernando Valley including Woodland Hills, and votes directly on AB 2011 amendments. Senator Henry Stern has authored a letter on AB 2011 reform; the Assemblymember's vote on any reform bill matters greatly.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Tracey Schroeder (R)
Teacher / Multiple-time AD-46 candidate
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[Inferred from party/profile] Campaigns explicitly on "reducing regulations," pushing back against "Sacramento overreach," and demanding fiscal accountability for budget decisions made without local input. Her stated platform aligns directly with opposing state preemption of local zoning. No specific statements found on AB 2011 or SB 79 by name, but her core campaign theme — that Sacramento makes decisions "without considering the consequences of their actions on the rest of us" — translates clearly to opposing fast-track approvals over local objections. | |
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Jesse Gabriel (D)
Assemblymember, 46th District (incumbent) / Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
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VOTED FOR AB 2011 in 2022. Per Valley News Group, when WHCC controversy emerged he stated his office is "closely following" the situation, but did not commit to introducing reform legislation. As Budget Chair, he has voted for and shepherded multiple housing streamlining bills. Working with Senator Stern on potential fixes per CD3 office, but on-record vote is for the bill that enabled the WHCC fast-track. |
5. United States House of Representatives, District 32
Federal congresspeople do not vote on California state housing laws. However, federal housing funding and HUD policy are within their purview. Most candidates have not addressed state preemption directly; positions inferred from party where useful.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Marena Lin (D)
Climate Scientist
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Federal office; does not vote on state housing law. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79. | |
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Dory Benami (D)
Small Business Owner
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Position provided by Candidate:
"My position is clear: I support responsible housing production, but I do not support using state streamlining laws to bypass environmental review, fire safety review, public hearings, or local accountability in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones or on sensitive Santa Monica Mountains lands. AB 2011 was intended to encourage housing on appropriate commercial corridors. It should not become a loophole for high-density projects in canyon areas, evacuation-constrained neighborhoods, habitat-sensitive lands, or communities facing extreme wildfire risk. For any major project proposed in a VHFSZ or within the Santa Monica Mountains ecosystem, I support requiring a full Environmental Impact Report, serious fire and evacuation analysis, public hearings, and meaningful community review before approval. We need more housing, but we also need common sense. Housing policy should not put lives, firefighters, wildlife habitat, or fragile hillside communities at risk." . |
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Doug Smith (None)
Television Stage Manager
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Federal office; does not vote on state housing law. No specific public statements found. | |
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Brad Sherman (D)
U.S. Congressman / Dad (incumbent)
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Federal office; does not vote on state housing law. Long record of securing federal housing funds for the district, including funds for MRCA (Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy) wildlife habitat preservation. No specific public statement found on AB 2011/SB 79; his focus is federal funding rather than state preemption. | |
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Josh Sautter (D)
Community Organizer
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Position provided by Candidate:
“Josh Sautter supports responsible housing development while prioritizing public safety, environmental review, wildfire resilience, infrastructure capacity, and meaningful community input in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and environmentally sensitive areas.” |
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Chris Ahuja (D)
Small Business Owner
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Position provided by Candidate:
“I support housing affordability and increased housing production while also supporting strong environmental protections, wildfire safety standards, and meaningful community oversight for developments proposed in environmentally sensitive and high fire-risk areas.” |
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Larry Thompson (R)
Attorney/Film Producer
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Federal office; Republican party affiliation. No specific statements found on AB 2011/SB 79. | |
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Anna Wilding (D)
White House Correspondent
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Position provided by Candidate:
On the topic of AB 2011 (2022): "Look, we do not just have a housing issue. We also have an affordability issue and a large number of empty apartments and underutilized properties that could be converted into housing. We really need to be rewriting tax loopholes that benefit landlords who deliberately keep apartments empty in order to take advantage of tax benefits and market conditions. I support California’s housing goals and the need for affordable and workforce housing, but I believe AB 2011 should remain focused on true commercial corridors as originally intended. Large-scale developments in environmentally sensitive areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones should still receive proper environmental review, infrastructure analysis, and meaningful community input." On the topic of the Woodland Hills Country Club Project / WHCC Proposal : "I support more housing in California, but I believe projects of this scale in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones deserve careful environmental review, public transparency, and full consideration of wildfire evacuation, infrastructure strain, traffic, and emergency response impacts before approvals move forward." |
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Jake Levine (D)
National Security Official
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Position provided by Candidate: Federal office; no specific public statements found. |
6. LA County Board of Supervisors, 3rd District
County Supervisors don't vote on city land-use laws but oversee the County's responses to housing/homelessness and could weigh in publicly on state legislation. Lindsey Horvath is the current incumbent, and her staffer (Barri Worth Girvan) is running for CD3.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Carmenlina Minasyan
Reforms Advocate
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Position provided by Candidate: "Every law must be rooted in human rights—no exceptions. Politicians do not have the authority to impose decisions on the people without their voice being heard. Ignoring the community is not leadership; it is negligence. Any law passed without real public input is a failure of duty, even if those in power claim it is “for the best.” I will not accept a system where politicians decide and people are expected to follow. The people must come first—always." |
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Lindsey P. Horvath (D)
LA County Supervisor (incumbent) / former West Hollywood Mayor
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Generally pro-housing supply during West Hollywood tenure. Regarding SB79 Following the August 2025 Vote in Opposition at LA City Council led by Mayor Karen Bass, the L.A. Metro Board of Directors voted on January 22, 2026 to also formally oppose the local implementation of SB 79. The only members who voted to support local implementation of SB 79 were L.A. County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey Horvath. Has not publicly weighed in on AB 2011 specifically. |
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Tomás Sidenfaden
Software Engineer
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No specific public statements found in available records. | |
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Tonia Arey
Realtor
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Position provided by Candidate: "These laws should pressure AB2011 and SB79 and make things beyond difficult to the point that the developers move elsewhere. Yes, I am a realtor. AB 2011 I oppose this bill - we are not a metropolitan city like NYC. Just because we have (or used to have) land does not mean that every parcel should be ok'd for building monstrosities - our infrastructure cannot handle it. SB79 aka THE LAND GRAB authored by Weiner who lives in SF and yes, he does have the authority to write bills anywhere in the state but he should stay away from our home. I oppose this bill, it's AB2011 dressed up." |
7. California Governor — TOP 5 BY POLLS
The Governor signs (or vetoes) state housing legislation. Gov. Newsom signed AB 2011, AB 2243, AB 893, and SB 79 — laws that enable the WHCC fast-track. The next Governor will determine whether reform / amendment bills become law.
Link to 20 Min Clip of Gubernatorial Candidate in Housing Forum - video description includes link to full length video. Clips from the 1st half of the forum, focusing on discussion of State Vs Local Controls. Participating candidates were: Xavier Becerra, Matt Mahan, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Antonio Villaraigosa.
Note: ~50 candidates are on the ballot. Per our group's methodology, we are profiling only the top 5 by polling (Emerson College April 14-15, 2026 poll). Listed in alphabetical order.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Xavier Becerra (D)
Former HHS Secretary / Former CA Attorney General
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[Inferred from party/profile] Pro-housing-supply general framing. Says California needs to build more homes to address affordability. As former AG, did not publicly oppose state housing preemption laws. As HHS Secretary, expanded federal social programs. Standard establishment-Democrat profile on housing fast-track issues. | |
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Chad Bianco (R)
Riverside County Sheriff
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Sheriff's office and law-enforcement focus; campaign emphasizes affordability, public safety, and homelessness enforcement. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79 in available records, and no clear policy position on state preemption of local zoning. | |
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Steve Hilton (R)
Conservative commentator / Former senior advisor, UK Prime Minister
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Wants to BUILD MORE through CEQA reform — specifically, limiting CEQA suits to government prosecutors only, blocking private CEQA suits used by neighborhood groups. Wants to reduce building fees and fast-track approvals. BUT prefers building OUTWARD into new suburbs over infill density, and explicitly opposes state-level density mandates. Mixed: pro-streamlining-of-construction (which would HELP fast-track approvals like WHCC) but anti-state-preemption-of-zoning (which would HURT them). The CEQA-reform piece in particular would weaken the legal tools currently being used to challenge WHCC. | |
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Katie Porter (D)
Former U.S. Rep / 2024 Senate primary candidate
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Publicly endorsed SB 79: "I support it... Workers, students, seniors and other Californians will all benefit from more housing — especially near transit." Endorsed by Sen. Wiener (SB 79 author) and Asm. Wicks (AB 2011 author). Most explicit pro-state-preemption position in the top-5 field. | |
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Tom Steyer (D)
Billionaire / Hedge Fund Founder / Climate Activist
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Says California must "cut red tape and regulations for housing construction." Plans to build 2.3 million units by 2030. Strongly pro-streamlining. |
8. California Attorney General
The AG has authority to interpret and enforce state housing laws, intervene in housing litigation, and issue formal legal opinions. The most directly relevant statewide office besides Governor.
| Candidate | Score | Summary of Position |
|---|---|---|
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Marjorie Mikels (GP)
Attorney/Justice Advocate
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Green Party. No specific public statements found on AB 2011 / SB 79 in available records. | |
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Rob Bonta (D)
Attorney General of California (incumbent)
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[Inferred from party/profile] As state AG, has actively defended state housing laws against local challenges. Filed suits against cities for non-compliance with state housing laws. Generally supports state preemption tools to enforce housing production goals. Position aligns with pro-streamlining stance. | |
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Michael E. Gates (R)
Deputy United States Attorney / Former Huntington Beach City Attorney
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Summary Position provided in our guide confirmed as correct by Candidate.
Guide Summary Position: As Huntington Beach City Attorney, led one of the most prominent municipal legal fights against state housing preemption laws in California. Huntington Beach has been the lead litigant against state housing mandates, including challenges to housing element law and density requirements. Documented public record of opposing state preemption in court — not an inference. |
Supplemental : 🗳️ Ballot Measures
None of the four ballot measures are directly about housing fast-track laws. They are summarized briefly for context. We do not score measures on the WHCC issue.
| Measure | Subject |
|---|---|
| Measure CB | Applies city cannabis business taxes to UNLICENSED cannabis businesses. Generates ~$30-35M annually for general city services. Not directly related to housing. |
| Measure TC | Applies LA's transient occupancy (hotel) tax to online travel companies (Airbnb, etc.). Generates ~$5M for general city services. Not directly related to housing law, though indirectly affects short-term rental regulation. |
| Measure TT | Increases LA's transient occupancy tax from 14% to 16% (through 2028) and 15% thereafter. Requires online travel companies to collect/remit. Generates $22-44M annually. Not directly related to housing. |
| County Measure ER | "Essential Services Restoration Act" — 0.5% general sales tax for 5 years to address federal cuts and protect LA County's four public hospitals and clinics. ~$1B annually. Not directly related to housing law. |
Supplemental : ❌ Races Not Included in This Guide
The following races appear on the CD3 ballot but are not scored in this guide because the offices have no role — or only a remote one — in housing legislation, land-use approvals, or state preemption of local zoning. Including them would have added length without giving neighbors useful signal on the WHCC issue. Where useful, we note alternatives or candidates who DO have a relevant record from another office.
Supplemental : 🔎 Methodology, Limitations, and How to Verify
How candidates were scored
Each candidate was researched using public sources (campaign websites, Ballotpedia, news coverage from LAist, LA Times, NBC LA, ABC7, Valley News Group, the Hill, CapRadio, and similar). AI Tools were used to aid in this research. Human review was used on all AI-generated insights before they were incorporated into this guide and its recommendations. See our Data and AI Policy at this Link
Scores reflect:
- Direct on-record statements about AB 2011, AB 2243, AB 893, or SB 79
- Documented votes on these bills (where applicable, e.g., legislators)
- Public statements about the WHCC project specifically (most relevant)
- Public statements about ED1 or general housing fast-tracking in LA
- For candidates without specific statements: party-based or profession-based inference, clearly marked with the [Inferred] tag
All candidates were sent a draft version of this guide and were given the opportunity to confirm what is written or provide their own response. Candidate engagement has been indicated on the guide.
Limitations of this guide
- The Governor race has ~50 candidates and the Mayor race has 14 candidates. We profiled only the top 5 of each by polling (UCLA Luskin School April 2026 for Mayor; Emerson College April 14-15, 2026 for Governor). The other candidates are on the ballot and may share residents' values; we encourage research at ballotpedia.org or the LA Times Voter Guide.
- Some races were excluded entirely because the office has no role in housing legislation (see "Races Not Included" section).
- Inferences (marked with the [Inferred from party/profile] tag) are based on party affiliation, professional background, and endorsement profile — not direct statements. They should be treated as our best guess, not the candidate's own words.
How to verify a candidate's position yourself
- calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org — Searchable bill votes for state legislators
- ballotpedia.org — Candidate Connection survey responses (where completed)
- Candidate's own campaign website — search for "housing," "AB 2011," "SB 79"
- LAist and the LA Times Voter Guide — both have candidate questionnaires
- lavote.gov — Official sample ballot and candidate statements
- cd3.lacity.gov/whcc_proposal — Bob Blumenfield's office posts links to all motions/letters about the WHCC project