RACE TO THE CAPITOL

On March 5 voters will choose among four candidates running to represent the 51st Congressional District. The candidates are Stan Caplan, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Hilaire “Fuji” Shioura, and Bill Wells. Below is a summary of recent candidate interviews conducted by the East County Californian. Bill Wells did not participate. For the entire question and answer interviews visit eccalifornian.com.

WHAT ARE, IN ORDER, THE COUNTRY’S TOP THREE SPENDING PRIORITIES?

Stan Caplan

STAN CAPLAN: Audit and cut wasteful spending in all areas – for future generations.

Hilaire “Fuji” Shioura

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: I prioritize safer schools, parental rights in education, and reallocating military funds for better support of families and veterans. I advocate for a pro-military but anti-war stance and am committed to improving our immigration system.

Rep. Sara Jacobs

REP. SARA JACOBS:
• Reimagining our social safety net to deliver critical services for those facing economic hardship
• Addressing the housing and homelessness crises
• Addressing our childcare cri¬sis and childhood poverty

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE CONTINUANCE OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE PROGRAMS AND WHY?

STAN CAPLAN: Continue for those that have contributed until retirement.

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: As the sole anti-war candidate, I stand out by advocating for Medicare and Social Security funding, unlike my opponents. I believe military expenditures often come at the expense of domestic welfare programs.

REP. SARA JACOBS: Social Security and Medicare are a lifeline for millions of seniors. I wholeheartedly support these programs and believe we should expand them. I’m also working to reimagine our social safety net to address gaps, meet existing needs, and ensure that all families have enough resources and support not just to live, but to thrive.

WITH THE OVERTURN OF ROE VS. WADE BY THE SUPREME COURT, WHERE DO YOU STAND ON ABORTION AND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND WHY? DO YOU BELIEVE THESE DECISIONS SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE STATES TO DECIDE, OR DO YOU BELIEVE THAT A NATIONAL POLICY SHOULD BE CREATED AND WHY?

STAN CAPLAN: No answer

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: Regarding Roe v. Wade, I believe states should regulate abortion and women’s reproductive rights, respecting federalism, and the diversity of state populations.

REP. SARA JACOBS: As a young woman, reproductive health care is my health care. I believe that all reproductive health care decisions, including abortion, should be decided by patients and their doctors – not politicians or judges.
One-size-fits-all abortion bans can’t account for the myriad of individual, family, and health reasons for someone needing or wanting an abortion. That’s why I’m proud to support the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would protect the right to access abortion care across the country. I’ve also introduced the My Body, My Data Act – legislation that would safeguard our privacy and create a new na¬tional standard to protect repro¬ductive and sexual health data. I will continue to work to ensure that all reproductive health care options and privacy in personal matters are guaranteed for all Americans.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON LGBTQ+ RIGHTS AND WHY? WHAT POLICIES WOULD YOU SUPPORT OR NOT SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO SAME SEX MARRIAGE, GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN EDUCATION, AND OTHER LGBTQ+ ISSUES?

STAN CAPLAN: Same rights as everyone else. Stop pushing their agenda on everyone else.

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: I believe adults should have the freedom to marry regardless of LGBTQ+ preference but oppose LGBTQ+ indoctrination involv¬ing minors. I advocate for cameras in classrooms to ensure parental involvement and prioritize the mental health of minors and academic achievement.

REP. SARA JACOBS: I’m proud to be the sister of a transgender brother and a gender non-conforming sibling. I’ve also seen the very real mental health consequences to them and our family when they weren’t able to live as their true authentic selves. That’s why I push so hard in Congress for everyone to be treated with dignity and respect; to be able to live free from stigma, discrimination, and violence; and for the government to stay out of our personal and private decisions.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR ALL?

STAN CAPLAN: No answer.

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: I view healthcare as a human right, advocating for affordable care, addressing disparities, and emphasizing preventive measures. I propose universal healthcare coverage and efficient cost management.

REP. SARA JACOBS: Access to health care shouldn’t depend on your zip code, income level, race, or anything else. I believe that moving to a universal health care system is a smart investment. The Inflation Reduction Act, a bill I was proud to help pass, included historic cost-saving measures for health care and prescription drugs – including extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, allowing Medicare to finally negotiate drug prices, and capping monthly insulin costs to $35 and annual out-of-pocket drug costs to $2,000 for Medicare recipients. These reforms have been life-changing for so many people, but there is more work to do. I have also been a champion for community health centers across the country – which primarily serve low-income, uninsured, or underinsured individuals – and I am especially proud to have secured federal funding to renovate and expand La Maestra Community Health Center on Rea Avenue in El Cajon.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON FUNDING FOR AID TO UKRAINE IN THEIR WAR AGAINST RUSSIA?

STAN CAPLAN: No more money until transparency.

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: I oppose funding for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, seeing it as avoidable and a financial strain on U.S. taxpayers. I believe the European Union should shoulder this responsibility. I am critical of U.S. involvement in wars like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and believe in truthfulness with voters and the military.

REP. SARA JACOBS: Ukraine is still strong – thanks to its people’s grit and support from the international coalition led by President Biden. I went to Ukraine twice last year – once before the invasion and once after it began – and saw their courage and resolve with my own eyes. We need to support Ukraine not only through the war, but through reconstruction to help build a free, democratic, and open Ukraine.

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?

STAN CAPLAN: I’m tired of the political BS. Nothing gets done and the voters are neglected.

HILAIRE “FUJI” SHIOURA: I am committed to prioritizing domestic issues, upholding con¬stitutional rights, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. I represent a balanced approach to address the high cost of living, crime, border issues, homelessness, inflation, and school safety. I uniquely understand the needs of school choice, immigration legal system, and a non-interventionist military policy. I am the only candidate that is an experienced educator that understands what is really happening in our elementary, middle, and high schools; where are my students, your kids are not learning, are unsafe, and exposed to dangerous and inappropriate content and influences. Vote for me to have cameras in our classrooms so you and the parents can genuinely participate in your kids’ educational journey. Help me make universal school vouchers a reality throughout California to help make class sizes smaller, expand school choice, and fund more charter schools. Vote for me to protect our Constitutional rights in California and nationwide.

REP. SARA JACOBS: I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but I have a lot more work to do! I would be honored to continue serving my hometown in Congress.