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: Sequoia Neff

Current job title: Business Owner

Age: 47

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Long Beach

Campaign website or social media: sequoianeff.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.)

Long Beach needs a disciplined and accountable approach to its financial future. Even with budget oversight in place, residents are still seeing waste and projects that are poorly planned or left unfinished, which drains resources, yet doesn’t produce results.

I believe the first step is a third-party audit to identify waste and inefficiencies so we can correct the budget without asking residents to pay more in taxes.

Building commerce throughout Long Beach is essential, especially in District 9, which borders other cities. Right now, many residents are spending outside the city because of limited retail and commercial options, and that’s money leaving our community. By attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones and encouraging responsible development, we can create vibrant commercial corridors that keep residents shopping locally

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.)

Residents have raised real concerns about ICE operations in Long Beach, and families deserve to feel heard, safe, supported and informed. I believe federal immigration enforcement needs reform and a more humane approach. Our focus should be on practical solutions to make sure families have resources, guidance and access to support services, not empty statements.

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.)

We need better oversight of homelessness funding to ensure every dollar is used purposefully and achieves real results. Homelessness in Long Beach requires a compassionate yet accountable approach. We need solutions that provide real support, not programs that inadvertently incentivize long-term street living.

I support individualized services that give people a clear path from the streets into stable, permanent housing.

Regarding affordable housing: I support vetting developers more carefully to ensure affordable units actually get built and remain affordable long‑term. We should expand partnerships with nonprofits that specialize in affordable and supportive housing. We also must look at creative solutions like converting unused city buildings into affordable housing. If we can successfully repurpose properties into units, it can generate revenue while providing needed homes.

I oppose property tax increases because they make housing less affordable for both homeowners and renters, as the increase is usually passed down to renters in the form of higher rent.

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.)

One of the biggest issues in our district is human trafficking, happening near Starr King Elementary School. Families are seeing practically naked women on the corner, children are being exposed, residents feel unsafe, homes are losing value and local businesses are struggling. We need a dedicated investigation team/targeted enforcement. We need stronger penalties for repeat offenders, with enhanced consequences when minors are involved, or activity occurs near schools. We also need to enforce nuisance abatement laws on motels, businesses or properties tied to trafficking and hold them accountable by revoking permits or licenses when necessary.

When we take away the money that traffickers rely on, they no longer have a reason to stay in our community.

We need to strengthen partnerships with underfunded outreach and support programs for victims/survivors.

Prevention is just as important as enforcement. I support strategically placing cameras, increasing public awareness and community education, and more police presence.

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

My career has given me a real-world perspective on what it takes to serve effectively on City Council. As a business owner, I’ve learned how to manage budgets, plan ahead and make decisions that balance growth with accountability. Those same skills are essential for making sure city resources are used wisely, and taxpayer dollars go further.

As a realtor, I work every day with families and neighborhoods, navigating regulations, solving problems and seeing firsthand how housing, zoning and development affect people’s lives. That experience helps me understand both the challenges and the opportunities in building safe, thriving communities.