Republican incumbent Megan Dahle faces Democratic challenger Belle Starr Sandwith in the race for State Assembly, District 1.
The winning candidate is expected to advocate for North State constituents on issues including wildfire suppression and forest management, safety and crime, drought, homelessness and the rising cost of living.
The Record Searchlight asked the candidates what they thought were the four most pressing issues facing the North State in the next few years.
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Megan Dahle
Cost of living (and) affordability: Cost of housing is the number one driver of the state’s high cost of living. California’s incredibly high taxes are a huge part of the problem. California recently lost population for the first time in history. Six million Californians live in poverty (15.4%); rent is nearly 60% higher than the national average; and the median cost of a home is $800,000 — more than twice the national average: $353,900. If we want California to thrive, these issues must be addressed.
Safer communities and supporting public safety: Public safety is of utmost importance in the coming years and long term. Soft-on-crime policies are the root of many incidents we have experienced in the past few years. Safety is a basic human necessity. We must be able to provide this for the people we serve.
Forestry management: In 2021, the Dixie Fire burned over 900k acres in five of the nine counties I represent. It wiped out the town of Greenville, California in half an hour, displacing an entire community. Millions of acres and thousands of constituents in the 1st Assembly District have fallen victim to wildfires. This has to change.
Education: California spends half a million dollars per classroom and we’re ranked lowest in the country. Our students are suffering both mentally and academically. California public school enrollment dropped below 6 million for the first time since 1999-2000. Our students deserve to have access to the best educational opportunities possible. There is much room for improvement here.
Occupation: Farmer, businesswoman
Social media: Facebook and Twitter
Campaign website: votemegandahle.com
Belle Starr Sandwith
I believe the four most pressing issues facing Assembly District 1 are visible through our kitchen windows, in our waterways and reservoirs, and on our streets.
I think most Assembly District 1 residents would agree with me that wildfire threat, water shortage, skyrocketing home insurance and increasing homelessness are top priorities for our district. We can’t continue letting wildfires ravage our communities, ignoring worsening drought, and sitting idly by as skyrocketing home insurance rates and homelessness impacts so many of our neighborhoods.
Assembly District 1 deserves improved forest management and new initiatives to keep our communities safe when wildfire does erupt. This district needs renewed efforts toward safeguarding a clean and reliable water supply for residents, industry and the environment. Escalating home Insurance rates must be capped. A fresh and unrelenting approach to expanding homeless services needs to be implemented.
California now has the fourth largest economy in the world. The lands and people of Assembly District 1 are an essential component of this economy.
Occupation: Small businesswoman, inventor
Social media:Facebook
Campaign website:SandwithForAssembly.com
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
