Angela Gonzales-Torres
DemocraticQ1 California is rich in natural resources (i.e. oil, with California being the 7th largest oil producing state in the nation) and, as of June 2025, conserves 26.1% of its lands and 21.9% of its coastal waters. Given California’s resources, what policies would you pursue or continue, if any, in regard to land management and use?
“California is currently facing an increasing number of intense wildfires. At the same time, the current administration and Congress have weakened and reversed protections for public lands. Because land management plays an important role in addressing wildfires and given the current administration’s recent actions to reduce staff in agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, I would pursue policies that would properly fund federal agencies that play vital roles in helping California address and prevent wildfires. I would also pursue policies like the Public Lands Integrity Act that would prevent Congress from easily selling public lands and ensure public voice on decisions around public lands. Our natural resources are invaluable parts of our communities and I would make sure our communities have a seat in D.C. on important issues including our air, water, and land.”
KEYWORDS: justice, responsibility, accountability
Q2 California is one of the leading states with the most data centers which are important facilities for processing and storing data. However they also have several environmental and health impacts, such as significant water usage and noise pollution, which can lead to decrease in net economic gains. What policies, if any, do you support in managing existing data centers or establishing additional data centers?
“On a federal level, I would support imposing a moratorium on new AI data centers until we have enforceable federal standards. Furthermore, any facility should be required to disclose its water and energy consumption publicly and continuously. It should pay the full cost of the grid capacity it demands, rather than passing that cost to ratepayers who never agreed to subsidize it. It should not receive tax abatements to locate in communities already carrying the worst pollution burden. Also, local governments must retain the authority to say no to data center proposals in their jurisdiction.”
KEYWORDS: predatory, extractive, pollution
Q3 In 2025, approximately 33% of students in K-12 schools across California met or exceeded science standards, and teacher shortages have resulted in districts hiring teachers with substandard credentials in math and science. What evidence-based policies, if any, would you follow to increase science proficiency and access to quality education across the state and why?
“On the federal level, I would support these proposals to increase science proficiency and access to quality education: the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act to help address root causes of teacher shortages, the NEED Act and RESULTS Act to improve the process of research, evaluation, and sharing of results from various education initiatives, and provide robust funding for STEM education programs from the Education Department and other relevant agencies. The Addressing Teacher Shortages Act would provide grants that states like California can use to expand or establish programs to train and retain science teachers. With rapid advancement in areas like AI, the NEED Act focuses on establishing a center to promote innovative education research and disseminate best practices to improve students’ academic performance. To ensure that the research can easily be shared nationwide, the RESULTS Act would modernize the data system and encourage connected insights between early childhood, K-12 education, and the workforce. Finally, I would focus on ensuring that the following federal programs have robust funding to support STEM education: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, ESSA Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants), and ESSA Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction).”
KEYWORDS: development, funding, disseminate
Q4 Healthcare is an important resource to Californians, with publicly supported programs such as Medi-Cal providing coverage covering roughly half of all Californians including 14.5 million low-income residents. According to the Center on Healthcare from West Health-Gallup, California has an overall healthcare grade of “C” over the categories of cost, quality, and access, with gaps in rural health coverage, environmental health threats, workforce shortages, and affordability challenges. What policies, if any, do you support to address the healthcare of Californians and why?
“On a federal level, I would support Medicare for All. Working to pass Medicare for All will be one of my top goals in Congress and is why I decided to run for this seat. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 data, the CA-34th Congressional District has an uninsured rate that’s worse than the national average. In addition, the district is made up of predominantly Latino, immigrant, women, and working-class families. Because of the diverse makeup of our communities and the need for affordable healthcare, I support Medicare for All. Until then, I would support the following provisions to strengthen our healthcare system: funding home and community-based services to ensure seniors and people with disabilities are not forced into institutions, expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing, reversing Medicaid work requirements and eligibility paperwork to push people away from coverage, and capping insulin and inhaler costs for everyone, not just Medicare enrollees. There are more things that must be done but this is the bare minimum.”
KEYWORDS: universal, affordability, access
Q5 Infectious disease outbreaks in California, like measles and foodborne illnesses, are on the rise and have had significant impacts on the state’s health, agriculture, and produce economy. In some counties in California, vaccination rates are low, making communities potentially vulnerable to measles outbreaks. Furthermore, California is responsible for over a third of the US’s fresh produce, which is a common source of foodborne illness. What policies, if any, do you support for implementing preventative measures and mitigating strategies against outbreaks?
“I support federal funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and for state and local health departments. Funding that rises and falls with each emergency leaves counties unable to detect outbreaks early. In communities across CA-34, I would support expanding mobile and school-based clinics, and outreach. In low-coverage counties, the barriers are often access, language, and mistrust, and policy should address each directly. I would support full funding for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including the Produce Safety Rule, along with adequate staffing at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Technical assistance for small growers and faster traceback systems would improve safety while limiting economic damage from a contamination event. For farmworkers, I would support paid sick leave, advocate for clean facilities, and accessible health services. We also need coordinated federal, state, and local planning, appropriately timely data sharing, and clear, science-based communication are essential for our public health.”
KEYWORDS: trust, safety, care
Q6 Distrust in science has been on the rise among the general public and policymakers, which has been associated with changes in federal funding for scientific research. In order to bridge this gap, how do you think scientists and policymakers can work together to strengthen their communication?
“Trust is built through consistent, transparent engagement rather than occasional outreach. I would support embedding scientists in congressional offices and agencies through fellowship programs, so that policymakers have trusted expertise available when drafting legislation. Scientists, in turn, should communicate directly and explain how research affects daily life, from clean water to vaccines. It is the job of the congressmember to make sure constituents have access to these open dialogues. Local engagement matters. Universities and laboratories in Los Angeles should host community forums, bringing researchers face to face with residents. Stable, predictable research funding also signals that science is a public good rather than a political target, and it allows scientists to focus on discovery rather than advocacy.”
KEYWORDS: education, reliance, future
Q13 The Los Angeles Metro system serves millions of riders every month, with increases in ridership associated with the expansion of Metro stations. Access to public transportation is associated with less air and noise pollution, fewer harmful chemicals, and overall healthier communities. Yet, the Metro still faces public safety concerns, and expansion projects have encountered delays and cost increases while risking community displacement. What policies, if any, do you support regarding Los Angeles public transit infrastructure? Describe evidence that has informed these policies.
“From the federal level, I would reintroduce former Representative Cori Bush’s Bus Rapid Transit Act and Light Rail Transit Act to create grant programs under the Federal Transit Administration for the design and implementation of public transit projects, including for the redesign, retrofit, renovation, update, and repair of existing public transit systems. I support these policies because the operating costs of running the LA Metro system are increasing and we need to find new funding to keep up with maintenance demands. Furthermore, using UCLA’s research findings, I would support policies that encourage diverse housing types near transit systems, require higher percentages of affordable units in market-rate projects, expand rent controls to existing apartments, and implement rent controls in new apartments to help ensure that long-time residents are not forced to move out. I would also use my experiences from the Metro’s Public Safety Advisory Committee to help make the public transit system more equitable and just.”
KEYWORDS: accessibility, mobility, options