Kristina Duggan, Long Beach City Council District 3 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire – Press Telegram

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Kristina Duggan

Current job title: Long Beach City Council Member, District 3 and Business Owner

Age: 56

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: Chair, Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority; Chair, Government Operations & Efficiencies Committee; Vice-Chair, Climate, Environment, & Coastal Protection Committee; Member, Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee

City where you reside: Long Beach

Campaign website or social media: KristinaDuggan.com

One of the main issues local leaders are grappling with is Long Beach’s current and long-term fiscal position. With major budgetary concerns on the horizon, explain your top priorities for Long Beach’s financial future and plans to achieve them. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

Over the last four years, I have focused on the fundamentals that keep our neighborhoods strong: improving public safety, reducing homelessness, practicing fiscal responsibility and strengthening the infrastructure our community depends on every day.

That same focus is what is needed as we look at the city’s financial future. Long Beach is facing real fiscal challenges, and we need to be honest about long-term structural deficits, especially with declining Tidelands revenue impacting our general fund.

I believe that this is not a budget problem; it is a spending problem, and we cannot continue going back to voters to raise taxes to solve it. I have voted against raising taxes multiple times because I believe we need to tighten our belts, just like residents and businesses are doing, focusing on core services rather than adding new programs that are not essential.

At the same time, we need to grow our local economy. I am working to renegotiate oil agreements to invest more money locally, and I have worked to bring major companies to Long Beach to strengthen our tax base while supporting small businesses and responsible development.

Ultimately, our approach must be balanced: protect basic services, grow our economy and make sure every dollar is spent effectively and transparently.

Long Beach residents have been sounding the alarm about the presence of federal immigration enforcement agents and operations in the city. Where do you stand on ICE/CBP actions, and how to plan to address residents’ concerns about this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

I understand why residents are concerned, and I am concerned as well. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own community, and the aggressive approach to immigration enforcement inside of communities has created real fear and uncertainty.

In District 3, we have seen enforcement targeting hardworking people who are contributing to our local economy and filling real workforce needs. Shutting down car washes and landscaping businesses does not make our communities safer.

I also believe we should not be responding to one extreme with another. Most people want immigration enforcement that focuses on dangerous criminals and do not support open border policies. Right now, we are seeing the extremes lead the conversation on both sides, and that is not how good policy is developed.

It is also important to be honest about the role of local government. Long Beach has invested in education and outreach so residents understand their rights, but there are state and federal laws that govern how cities can operate, and it is important that we follow those laws. As a city, our focus should remain on improving public safety, reducing homelessness, practicing financial responsibility and strengthening our infrastructure.

Homelessness and affordable housing continue to be a top issue for Long Beach residents. What is your position on the city’s current efforts to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing availability, and how do you plan to improve these efforts? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

When I came into office in 2023, Long Beach was coming off a 63% increase in homelessness over the prior two years, and I supported the homelessness emergency because our systems were overwhelmed.

That experience showed how far behind we were and how urgently we needed to take action. I first focused on expanding housing: entitling more than 1,800 units with more than 700 under construction, approving the first-ever affordable housing project in the district and bringing 50 recuperative care beds to support people transitioning out of homelessness.

I also saw that homelessness is not one-size-fits-all. It ranges from college students living in their cars to individuals dealing with serious mental illness, substance abuse or repeat criminal behavior.

I saw the need for a more balanced approach. I pushed to restore policies that help address problematic encampments and related crime, while continuing to expand housing and services.

We need to offer people a helping hand and give everyone a dignified place to sleep, while also holding accountable those who are harming our communities.

What is the biggest issue your district specifically faces, and how do you plan to address it, if elected? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

District 3’s biggest issue is public safety, which is foundational to maintaining the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Residents need to feel safe at home, in our parks and beaches and in our business corridors. When safety is compromised, it affects daily life and erodes trust in the city.

I have focused on restoring public safety by pushing to increase police staffing and supporting the graduation of 124 officers, with 98 more currently in the academy. This allows us to bring back traffic enforcement and walking beats that residents expect.

I also led practical, neighborhood-based solutions like the “Lights, Camera, No Action” program, which delivered 69 public-facing lights and cameras for less than $10,000, and authored policies to better respond to individuals in crisis due to mental illness or substance abuse.

I have fought to give our police department more tools, including championing Proposition 36, and supported a district attorney committed to restoring accountability in our justice system.

If reelected, I will continue pushing for more action on public safety, restoring staffing, investing in proven solutions and delivering the visibility and responsiveness residents deserve.

What experience do you bring to the table for this role? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

As your councilmember, I have committed to listening, solving problems and delivering results for District 3.

I have lived in District 3 for 27 years, raised my family and built a small business, so I understand firsthand the challenges facing our neighborhoods, families and local businesses.

I take a straightforward approach: focus on the little things and take on the big things. I have built a council team that has resolved more than 7,000 cases, from fixing potholes to addressing encampment concerns.

At the same time, I have taken on the biggest challenges facing our city, leading tough conversations on public safety, fighting for Long Beach at the state and regional level and being willing to cast the lone no vote when needed.

I have built relationships across different perspectives, finding common ground and working with others to get things done for our community.

With LA28 ahead and the world coming to District 3, I have proven I can deliver results and build the coalitions needed to meet the moment.

My commitment to you is simple. I will stand up for the people of District 3 and Long Beach, even when it requires difficult conversations or standing alone.