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June 5, 2018 — California Primary Election

District 40 — California State Assembly

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About this office

State assembly members introduce and vote on new laws, hold hearings, and draft the state budget. They are elected to two-year terms.
For this office, only the two candidates who get the most votes in the primary election advance to the general election. The two candidates may be from the same political party.
You must select at least 2 candidates to compare them.

Candidates

You can vote for 1 of these 3 candidates.

Henry Gomez Nickel

Republican
Small Business Owner/City Council...
Top 3 Priorities
  1. We must hold our representatives accountable. Decisions...
  2. We must repeal the $52 billion gas tax increase and...
  3. We must invest in local law enforcement. We must stop...
Profile
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James C. Ramos

Democratic
County Supervisor/Small Business...
Top 3 Priorities
  1. Increasing Access to Quality Education
  2. Public Safety - Ensuring public safety officials have...
  3. Fighting homelessness
Profile
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Libbern Gwen Cook

Democratic
Top 3 Priorities
Libbern Gwen Cook's priorities are not yet available.

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Profile
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Photo of Henry Gomez Nickel

Henry Gomez Nickel

Republican
Councilman/Small Businessman
29,550 votes (45.7%)Winning
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My Top 3 Priorities

  • We must hold our representatives accountable. Decisions concerning our lives must be made by us, not Sacramento politicians.
  • We must repeal the $52 billion gas tax increase and use our tax dollars for the intended purpose. We must invest in a prosperous future by modernizing our infrastructure.
  • We must invest in local law enforcement. We must stop the release of dangerous offenders into our communities.

Experience

Experience

Profession:Small Business Owner/City Council Member
Public Relations Consulting (Owner), Self-Employed (1998–current)
Workforce Development Analyst, San Bernardino County (2016–current)
Council Member, City of San Bernardino (2014–current)
Council Member, City of San Bernardino — Elected position (2014–current)
Mayor Pro Tempore, City of San Bernardino — Elected position (2018–current)
Central Committee Member, San Bernardino County Republican Party — Elected position (2012–current)
Teacher (Substitute), San Bernardino and Redlands Unified School Districts (2015–2016)
Transportation Analyst, Riverside County Transportation Commission (2006–2014)
Council Member, Inland Empire HIV Planning Council — Appointed position (2008–2013)

Education

California State University, San Bernardino — Master's of Arts, National Security Studies (2013)
American University, Washington DC — Bachelor's of Arts, Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, Government (1999)

Biography

Henry Gomez Nickel has served the City of San Bernardino since 2014. As a member of the City Council, Henry is also Mayor Pro Tempore. He received unanimously election by his fellow six city council members due in large degree to his keen ability to bridge political divides. Henry serves on the League of California Cities’ Transportation, Communication and Public Works Policy Committee tasked with reviewing state and federal legislation related to transportation funding, construction, public works, telecommunications and related areas. 

As a City Council Member, Henry worked to faithfully bring San Bernardino out of bankruptcy in 2017.  Elected as a reformer in a 2014 special election following the city’s 2012 bankruptcy filing, Henry supported law enforcement investments, fiscal discipline and accountability to a city historically plagued by crime, poverty and political dysfunction. Henry won a resounding reelection victory in 2015. Henry championed sound fiscal management, contracted city services, the passage of a new city charter, performance improvement measures, greater community engagement, increased law enforcement capacity, new housing and commercial development, ethical political conduct and a new professional corporate culture to the city’s government.

Henry’s two decade career includes service within the US Treasury Department in Washington DC, coordination of overseas voter registration in Germany during the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections and more than eight years as a regional transportation analyst. He also served as an educator within the local school districts. He currently works for the San Bernardino County Economic and Workforce Development Department and is a member of Teamsters Local 1932.

Who supports this candidate?

Organizations (1)

Elected Officials (3)

Questions & Answers

Questions from League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (4)

What do you think the State should do to encourage affordable housing for all Californians?
Answer from Henry Gomez Nickel:

We must stimulate new housing construction. We are suffering from a severe housing shortage and need to build quality housing at lower cost. We must support reforms to the barriers preventing new quality home construction and community development. We must provide opportunities for young families and individuals to share the benefits of homeownership. We must also provide seniors on fixed incomes with more quality and affordable housing options while protecting Proposition 13 safeguards. Homeownership is fundamental to the American dream. We must deliver greater home affordability for all.

According to a "Civility In America” survey, 75% of Americans believe that the U.S. has a major civility problem. If you are elected what will do to address this?
Answer from Henry Gomez Nickel:

Elected to the San Bernardino City Council in 2014 as a reformer, I joined my council colleagues to bring the city out of bankruptcy, support law enforcement and return accountability to city government. Through the same bipartisan collaboration in Sacramento, we will reduce taxes, support law enforcement, restore our communities, invest in essential workforce skills, grow our economy, increase homeownership and return prosperity to working families.

Climate changes, and the shifting between very wet weather and drought, worry Californians. What strategies would allow that your district to both satisfy its water needs and protect the environment? Please be specific.
Answer from Henry Gomez Nickel:

Weather has and aways will remain unpredictable. We must ensure the funding committed to providing necessary water resource remains committed to intended investment. We must repair, maintain and construct necessary reservoirs and infrastructure to sustain California's people and economy. We must ensure communities develop in a way that ensures the costs of infrastructure and necessary services are accounted for and sustained.  We must guard against unregulated development that does not pay for itself while reducing barriers to affordability. We must hold accountable those who polute and disregard our public lands and shared spaces.

What programs or strategies would you suggest to meet the educational needs of the youngest and most poverty stricken Californians?
Answer from Henry Gomez Nickel:

We must fund our schools, universities and vocational education systems while addressing inefficiencies, performance and excessive student debt. We must provide career pathways aligned with workforce demand, including world class vocational training and apprenticeship programs. According to U.S. News & World Report, California’s K-12 education system is among the lowest performing in the country while constituting 40% of the state’s general fund resources. Once the envy of the nation, we must now catch up. Teachers must be equipped with quality resources. They must be empowered to address the needs of students and their classrooms free of excessive mandates and obstacles to an effective learning environment. We must address teacher shortages and administrative costs. We must incentivize more qualified individuals to enter the education field. Good teachers yield quality students that in turn are more prone to become responsible productive citizens.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Total money raised: $229,513

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1
California Republican Party
$121,595
2
Brian Dahle for Assembly 2018
$8,800
2
Jay Obernolte for Assembly 2018
$8,800
3
Vince Fong for Assembly 2018
$6,600
4
Employees of Law Offices of Douglas C. Jones
$6,000

More information about contributions

By State:

California 99.12%
Alaska 0.88%
99.12%

By Size:

Large contributions (99.50%)
Small contributions (0.50%)
99.50%

By Type:

From organizations (85.24%)
From individuals (14.76%)
85.24%14.76%
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.

Political Beliefs

Elected officials must remain absolutely committed to serving constituents. As a representative of the district, voters are my boss. I work for every person in the district and must take that into consideration with every decision made. To maintain constituent trust, confidence and future reelection, I must convey their wants, needs and interests. This understanding of the proper role of an elected representative is essential.

We must never forget the decisions made by our elected officials truly affect the safety, health and livelihoods of real people. We must end divisive dysfunctional politics by focusing on our common problems rather than simply personalities and affiliations. While we may disagree, we must never forget what unites us. We must always hold government and those serving within it accountable.

Government must live within its means, promote policies that protect the public and serve to create ongoing prosperity, justify each tax dollar spent and remain accountable to its constituencies. Doing so ensures that necessary and valuable services will be readily available for residents and businesses now and in the future. These guiding leadership and management principles derive from Henry’s extensive experience as an entrepreneur, educator and public servant. 

Position Papers

Videos (3)

Candidate Experience
— June 2, 2018 Charter Cable

Interview of August 14, 2015

Candidate Experience
— June 2, 2018 Charter Cable

Interview of November 15, 2016

Candidate Experience
— June 2, 2018 Charter Cable

Interview of July 19, 2017

Candidate Contact Info

Candidate website
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Email info@henrynickel.com
Photo of James C. Ramos

James C. Ramos

Democratic
County Supervisor/Businessman
26,297 votes (40.7%)Winning
Use tab to activate the candidate button. Use "return" to select this candidate. You can access your list by navigating to 'My Choices'.
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Candidate has provided information.

My Top 3 Priorities

  • Increasing Access to Quality Education
  • Public Safety - Ensuring public safety officials have the resources and training they need
  • Fighting homelessness

Experience

Experience

Profession:County Supervisor/Small Business Owner

Biography

Ramos, a Democrat, has served as a Supervisor of San Bernardino County since 2012. In 2015, he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as Board Chairman. Ramos was the first Native American to be elected to the Board of Supervisors, as well as to the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees, on which he served from 2005-12.

Ramos has worked for both Republican and Democratic Governors.  In 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Ramos to the California State Native American Heritage Commission for which he is chairman. In 2011, he became the first Native American appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Jerry Brown.

In addition to his elected service, Ramos is a proven civic leader and has served on numerous boards and organizations in the greater San Bernardino area.

Ramos is also the immediate past Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with a deep commitment to the preservation of California Indian culture. He is co-founder of the San Manuel Band’s Cultural Awareness Program, and serves as director of the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference held annually at California State University, San Bernardino.

Supervisor Ramos has served and continues to serve the Inland Empire in government leadership roles at the State and Local Boards and Commissions.

Executive Committee of California State Association of Counties

Chairman CSAC Housing, Land Use and Transportation

Chairman Urban Counties Caucus

Chairman Latino Counties Caucus

Chairman San Bernardino County Homeless Youth Task Force

Vice Chairman San Bernardino International Airport Authority

Vice Chairman San Bernardino County Transportation Authority

Vice Chairman Local Agency Formation Commission San Bernardino County

Inland Valley Development Agency

Behavioral Health Commission

Ramos has a wide range of local and regional knowledge with the unique ability to bring collaboration to controversial issues , his governing style has lead to the overall success of boards and commissions he sits on.

James and his wife of 28 years, Terri, are the proud parents of four children and three grandchildren.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Total money raised: $1,029,075

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1
California Democratic Party
$140,469
2
Los Angeles County Democratic Party
$50,000
3
Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee
$40,000
4
Employees of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
$37,700
5
California Association of Realtors
$17,600
5
California State Council of Laborers
$17,600
5
SEIU California
$17,600
5
SEIU Local 2015
$17,600

More information about contributions

By State:

California 98.87%
Florida 0.67%
Texas 0.29%
South Carolina 0.10%
Other 0.07%
98.87%

By Size:

Large contributions (99.90%)
Small contributions (0.10%)
99.90%

By Type:

From organizations (84.93%)
From individuals (15.07%)
84.93%15.07%
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the California Secretary of State.

Candidate Contact Info

Candidate website
Photo of Libbern Gwen Cook
No information provided.
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Libbern Gwen Cook

Democratic
Teacher
8,777 votes (13.6%)
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Candidate Contact Info

Candidate website
Email tahquitzman@hotmail.com

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