As part of our June 2026 primary voter guide, the Long Beach Post and LAist partnered to ask City Council candidates how they’d handle the issues voters said they cared about most. For more, see an overview of the District 7 race here; answers from the other candidates in this race, Dameon Gordon and Jamies Shuford; and our guides for all the other local races at LBPost.com/elections.
Long Beach residents tell us again and again that their No. 1 priority is addressing homelessness. Yet despite the city’s efforts, homelessness rose 6.5% in the 2025 city count (and we are awaiting the results of the most recent count). The situation has led many to ask: Is the city’s strategy working, or does something need to change? How would you, if elected, address the city’s homelessness problem?
Homelessness requires both compassion and accountability. The city has made meaningful progress by expanding shelter capacity, increasing outreach, and investing in housing placement, and those efforts should continue. However, homelessness remains highly visible, especially in West Long Beach, where residents continue to experience encampments and service gaps. We need stronger coordination, faster placement into services, and measurable accountability for outcomes. Through my work at LBCC, I have supported workforce training and wraparound services that help people transition toward stability. Once elected, I will push for targeted Westside outreach, stronger performance standards, and partnerships to connect individuals to education, job training, and long-term stability.
Broadly speaking, crime is down. However, city residents tell us they are increasingly concerned about property and quality of life crimes. How will you address such concerns?
While overall crime trends may be improving, residents continue to experience property crime, illegal dumping, and nuisance activity that impact daily life, particularly in West Long Beach. Public safety must include both enforcement and visible neighborhood services. Through my work at Long Beach City College, I have supported workforce and youth programs that provide opportunity and help prevent crime. Once elected, I will advocate for stronger neighborhood policing, faster response to quality-of-life issues, and better coordination between city departments. I will also support partnerships with community organizations to expand youth engagement and workforce opportunities that strengthen long-term community safety.
Additionally, the Long Beach Police Department is experiencing a staffing crisis, leading to long response times. How will you address that?
The city has taken steps to recruit new officers, but residents still experience long response times and limited patrol visibility, especially in West Long Beach. Staffing must be paired with smart deployment and community engagement. As an LBCC trustee, I support career education pathways that can help build a local pipeline into public safety careers. Once elected, I will support recruitment and retention strategies, expanded civilian support roles, and partnerships to prepare local residents for public safety careers. I will also advocate for deployment strategies that prioritize neighborhoods with the greatest need, including West Long Beach.
The city’s Safe Streets Long Beach plan — an ambitious proposal to make streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists — is seen as a failure by many. More people were killed last year while walking, biking or riding an e-scooter than died by homicide. We also know that far fewer speeding tickets are being issued. If elected, what will you do to improve traffic safety for all, especially as the city prepares to welcome tourists for the 2028 Olympics?
Traffic safety remains a serious concern. While the Safe Streets plan set important goals, implementation has not delivered the results residents expected. West Long Beach continues to experience speeding, truck traffic, and infrastructure challenges that require targeted solutions. As an LBCC trustee, I understand the importance of safe access for students, workers, and families. Once elected, I will support increased traffic enforcement, targeted safety improvements in high-risk areas, and better lighting and crosswalks, particularly on the Westside. I will also push for community input and data-driven adjustments to ensure streets are safe for residents and visitors ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
The city is facing a severe budget deficit of up to $80 million. There are two general solutions: Cut city services and jobs, or find a way to raise new revenue. If elected, how will you handle this?
The budget deficit requires responsible and balanced decision-making. The city has made important investments, but we must ensure spending is efficient before considering cuts that impact residents. West Long Beach deserves equitable investment in services and infrastructure. Through my work at LBCC managing an annual budget of $212M, I have overseen categorical budgets at every level and understand the importance of transparency and accountability. That does not include bonds, which adds more complexity. Once elected, I will prioritize essential services, identify efficiencies, and advocate for equitable investment in West Long Beach. I am open to thoughtful revenue options, but only with clear justification, accountability, and community input.
Long Beach has spent over $300 million on street and sidewalk repair in recent years, yet streets and sidewalks remain a growing concern (and liability). An audit also raised questions about whether those hundreds of millions were properly spent in the first place. And now, as mentioned, the city is facing a budget crunch. If elected, how will you address street and sidewalk repairs and improvements?
The city’s investment in streets and sidewalks shows commitment, but residents are not consistently seeing results, especially in West Long Beach. The audit highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability. As an LBCC trustee, I have supported capital projects and understand the importance of tracking outcomes. Once elected, I will push for transparent project tracking, prioritizing repairs based on safety, and focused investment in West Long Beach. Taxpayer dollars must produce visible improvements and safer streets for residents.
What do you see as Long Beach’s role in the face of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown? Please tell voters what specific actions you intend to take, including what guidance would you give to city employees?
Long Beach should prioritize public safety, community trust, and access to services. Residents must feel safe reporting crimes and interacting with city departments. As an LBCC trustee, I have supported inclusive policies that expand access to education and workforce opportunity. Once elected, I will support clear guidance that city employees focus on delivering services and not enforcing federal immigration policy, while remaining compliant with the law. I will also support outreach partnerships and community education to ensure residents, especially in West Long Beach, feel safe accessing services.
Tell voters why you should be elected.
I bring real-world experience as an educator, longshore worker, and elected trustee who has served working families for decades. I have lived in District 7 for 26 years. My husband and I raised our four children here and they attended local public schools and played sports in our neighborhood parks. I have volunteered in this community for three decades and understand the everyday challenges families face. Through my work at LBCC and throughout the city, I have expanded educational and workforce opportunities that strengthen our local economy. I support the progress being made, but I will bring independent leadership focused on accountability, equitable investment in West Long Beach, and delivering real results. I am not running to get the job. I am running to do the job.