Four vie for 24th Congressional District seat

Editor's note: This story is one in a series on the June 7 primary. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/news/elections.  

If Republicans take over Congress this year, the four candidates in the 24th Congressional District race would each take a different approach to working with the new majority.

The differing viewpoints make sense. A Democrat seeking a fourth term, a Republican challenger and two candidates who have no party preference are on the slate.

Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, is up against Republican Brad Allen, Jeff Frankenfield and Michele R. Weslander Quaid in the June 7 primary. The top two candidates will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.

The district includes Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, and a portion of the city of Ventura.

Brad Allen

Age: 67

Occupation: Pediatric cardiothoracic and critical care surgeon

Residence: Summerland and Los Angeles

Public service: N/A

Education: Bachelor's degree in biology, Lafayette College; doctoral degree in medicine, Chicago Medical School; UCLA residency in general and cardiothoracic surgery; pediatric cardiac fellowship at the University of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.

If Republicans take control of Congress, what would your approach be in working with the new leaders?

As a pediatric heart surgeon, I’ve trained my entire life in the art and science of solving problems. I want to work with the leadership to bring common sense back to Congress, not more politics or a particular ideology. I want to provide actual solutions to the difficulties facing this country by using the problem-solving approach I learned as a doctor to improve Americans’ daily lives.

Salud Carbajal

Age: 58

Occupation: Member of Congress

Residence: Goleta

Public service: 24th Congressional District since 2017; Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, 2004-2016

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Iberian studies, UC Santa Barbara; master’s degree in organizational management, Fielding Graduate University.

If Republicans take control of Congress, what would your approach be in working with the new leaders?

I have a long record of working across the aisle and will continue to seek bipartisan solutions no matter the makeup of Congress. I’ve helped pass bipartisan laws on everything from infrastructure to immigration reform. In the bipartisan problem solvers caucus, I work with both parties to grow our economy, help families prosper, support our allies abroad and support our veterans at home.

Jeff Frankenfield

Age: 50

Occupation: Director of global accounts at OFS, a manufacturer of fiber optic products

Residence: Santa Barbara

Public service: N/A

Education: Candidate for master's degree in business administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; bachelor's degree in political science, University of Washington.

If Republicans take control of Congress, what would your approach be in working with the new leaders?

I welcome working with Republican leaders. In fact, I want to dialogue with all members of the House, as I believe that it is through this dialogue we can come up with new ideas and solutions to help the greatest number of citizens. I also believe that working with both sides is paramount to restoring civility to our nation’s politics, which is desperately needed right now.

Michele R. Weslander Quaid

Age: 52

Occupation: Founder and president of Sunesis Nexus, a consulting firm; certified professional coach

Residence: Santa Barbara

Public service: National intelligence director's senior representative to Defense Secretary's Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Task Force, 2009-2011; chief technology officer, National Reconnaissance Office, 2007-2009; intelligence community deputy chief information officer, 2006-2007; deputy technical executive, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2003-2005.

Education: Bachelor of Science in physics and engineering science, Seattle Pacific University; Master of Science in optics, University of Rochester, New York

If Republicans take control of Congress, what would your approach be in working with the new leaders?

I will uphold my oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I will work against attempts to fundamentally transform America. I will work to restore our constitutional republic, protect individual liberty and parental rights, enforce fiscal responsibility and reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses.

Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Four vie for 24th Congressional District seat