Hoover faces 2 challengers in District 7 Assembly primary
A Republican incumbent assemblyman will face off against two Democratic challengers in a race to represent Sacramento’s suburbs in the Capitol.
Assemblyman Josh Hoover of Folsom is running for a second term after narrowly beating longtime Democratic incumbent Ken Cooley in November 2022. The 7th Assembly District contains a collection of suburban cities and communities east of Sacramento, including Carmichael, Rancho Cordova, Folsom and Citrus Heights.
It is a purple district, although there are slightly more registered Democrats than Republicans as of Jan. 5, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. About 38% of voters are registered Democrats, 33% are Republicans and 21% have no party preference. This means it is potentially flippable for Democrats, and the race could be a tight one for Hoover.
The two candidates who earn the most votes during the March 5 primary will advance to the November general election.
YK Chalamcherla
Party: Democrat
Age: 52
Birthplace: India
Residence: Folsom
Occupation: Technologist, founder and CEO: AVATAR IT Solutions
Education: Sri Venkateswara University, College of Engineering
Offices held: Folsom city councilman
Campaign website address: ykforassembly.com
Q: What do you think the Assembly should do to address the state’s ongoing homelessness crisis?
As a realist, I believe the Assembly should focus on priorities that work. I support the Homekey initiative that embraces a housing-first approach to homelessness, because we have seen successes in many cities. I absolutely believe we can do more. We need to focus on the root causes of people experiencing homelessness in the first place; many Californians are a paycheck away from being homeless, and foster youth are turning to homelessness.
Many people who are chronically unhoused face mental health, trauma, and substance abuse challenges. Implementing CARE Act more effectively. The Assembly should continue to work with local governments to take evidence-based approaches that work for each local community. I have been involved in local non-profits in our region that have a 90% success rate of rehabilitating unhoused people experiencing hardship into productive citizens. I strongly believe in “you can’t manage what you can’t measure,” so do it effectively and efficiently!
Q: How should the Assembly respond to concerns about retail theft and fentanyl and drug overdoses?
We need to start by revisiting Proposition 47. I know too many small business owners who have been victims of retail theft. Although I understand the motives for Proposition 47, it should not come at the cost of limiting our tools and enforcement mechanisms to keep our communities safe and support our small business owners. I support much greater regional collaboration across law enforcement agencies and other relevant partners to coordinate strategies to crack down on organized theft rings.
The drug overdose crisis is complex and requires a multi-sector, multi-pronged response. Although the state has robust laws to protect our communities against drug dealing, fentanyl has continued to seep into every known street drug and is being abused over the counter as well. A targeted collaboration with various entities, including public safety and community organizations, for large-scale education campaigns to make a dent in this daily crisis.
Q: What do you think of the governor’s approach to dealing with the state’s large budget gap? How would you address it?
I am a Democrat who believes fiscal accountability and spending oversight are absolutely critical for our state and should serve as an underlining imperative for any public governing body. I agree with Gov. Newsom in general about the current budget situation; when times are lean, we need to delay the implementation of certain new programs while reducing spending on others.
As an Assembly member, I request the governor and the leadership to take advantage of the current fiscal situation to identify and eliminate the programs that are wasting tax dollars and have no significant value to citizens. I will be a strong advocate for evidence-based accountability of state resources. Encourage departments/agencies’ leadership to question the status quo, foster innovation, and change the attitude, “we’ve always done it this way.” Initiate full review of departmental programs, funding, and strong oversight, which is the duty of the legislative branch of government.
Josh Hoover
Party: Republican
Age: 35
Birthplace: Fresno
Residence: Folsom
Occupation: 7th District state assemblyman
Education: USC
Offices held: Current state assemblyman, Folsom Cordova Unified School Board, 2018-2022
Campaign website address: hooverforassembly.com
Q: What do you think the Assembly should do to address the state’s ongoing homelessness crisis?
One of my first actions after being elected to the state Assembly was to improve accountability by passing a bipartisan audit of homelessness spending in California. Our state has spent over $20 billion taxpayer dollars since 2018 and we have a larger homeless population today than ever before. In fact, according to the latest federal data, California is now home to 49% of the nation’s unsheltered homeless.
We all know the status quo is not working. We need to stop spending money on programs that don’t work, and start investing in programs that actually get people the help they need. This means acknowledging that housing is only part of the solution. To truly get people out of the cycle of homelessness, we also must address substance abuse and mental health.
Q: How should the Assembly respond to concerns about retail theft and fentanyl and drug overdoses?
In 2023, I introduced Assembly Bill 75 to reform Proposition 47 by increasing penalties on retail theft offenders. I have also authored a number of bills to increase penalties on fentanyl dealers, particularly those who put our children at risk. Small businesses are losing thousands of hard-earned dollars due to rising crime, and our community has lost too many innocent lives at the hands of the fentanyl epidemic. We cannot continue down the current path of decriminalizing crime and expecting a different result. The only way to stop this from happening is to restore accountability and consequences in our criminal justice system.
Q: What do you think of the governor’s approach to dealing with the state’s large budget gap? How would you address it?
First and foremost, the governor needs to be honest with Californians about how bad our state budget crisis actually is. The governor was disingenuous when he declared that the budget deficit was only $38 billion. In actuality, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office predicts the deficit is closer to $70 billion.
In just a couple years we have gone from a nearly $100 billion budget surplus to a deficit that outpaces our reserves. This problem was created by years of government waste, mismanagement, and overspending. Now the governor is proposing millions in cuts to education and foster care, while still funding misguided priorities like high speed rail. We have to get our priorities straight, eliminate waste and fraud, and solve this deficit without harming taxpayers.
Porsche Middleton
Party: Democrat
Age: 40
Birthplace: Texas
Residence: Citrus Heights
Occupation: CEO, Middleton Strategies
Education: University of Louisville, DeVry University Keller School of Management
Offices held: Citrus Heights city councilwoman
Campaign website address: porsche4assembly.com
Q: What do you think the Assembly should do to address the state’s ongoing homelessness crisis?
Tackling the homelessness crisis requires a strategy as complex as the problem itself. My time at Sacramento Self-Help Housing taught me the importance of state support for programs that help homeless individuals find stable housing. It’s crucial, but it’s just the beginning.
As vice president of the California Housing Partnership Board, I witnessed how affordable housing can change lives, not just by providing a roof but by building communities. In Citrus Heights, we didn’t just talk about the problem; we acted, creating the city’s first affordable supportive housing project and helping over 300 people find homes. The key? Supporting local governments in their efforts.
So, what should we do? Increase funding and support for local initiatives, especially those expanding affordable housing and offering supportive services. This isn’t just a housing issue; it’s about building communities and changing lives.
Q: How should the Assembly respond to concerns about retail theft and fentanyl and drug overdoses?
Retail theft and the drug crisis are complex issues requiring a nuanced approach. We need a dual strategy: firm on crime, compassionate on underlying causes.
First, regarding retail theft. It’s vital to strengthen collaboration between law enforcement and retailers. This involves advanced surveillance and a rapid response to incidents. We also need to distinguish between organized retail theft and petty crimes, with appropriate penalties for each.
Now, the drug crisis. The fentanyl epidemic is a health and safety emergency. We must impose stricter penalties on fentanyl trafficking while also understanding the broader context. Many involved in drug use struggle with homelessness and mental health issues. Therefore, a holistic approach is needed. This includes expanding mental health services, increasing substance abuse treatment funding, and promoting recovery programs.
Q: What do you think of the governor’s approach to dealing with the state’s large budget gap? How would you address it?
Addressing California’s budget gap is a tightrope walk, balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain essential services. The governor’s approach seems to recognize this. My take? We should protect critical areas like education and healthcare from budget cuts. We also need to build reserves to cushion future economic downturns. Scrutinizing state expenditures for efficiency is vital — every dollar should count.
Investing in sectors that drive economic growth, such as technology and clean energy, can widen our revenue base. This, coupled with long-term fiscal planning, will prepare us for various economic scenarios.
Public-private partnerships could be a game-changer, funding essential projects without overburdening the state. It’s about striking a balance — ensuring fiscal health while investing in our future. The governor’s strategy seems to align with this, aiming for a financially stable and thriving California.
