Oscar Cancio, Long Beach mayor 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: Oscar Cancio

Current job title: School Relations Manager

Age: 40

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Long Beach

Campaign website or social media: Cancio4lbmayor.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 the mayor’s role in achieving those goals. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

Long Beach residents are already paying a high cost to live here, including a 10.5% sales tax (one of the highest in the region). At the same time, the city faces serious financial challenges. Recent reports show Long Beach finished the last fiscal year about $40 million over budget and could face a $60 to $80 million deficit by 2027 as revenues decline and costs rise.

Before any conversation about raising taxes, we need better financial management, transparency and clear priorities for how public dollars are spent. Residents deserve to know their money is being used wisely and that city government is focused on delivering real value and essential services. As mayor, I would ensure more accountability and transparency with big-ticket items.

Explain your plan to bolster local economic development, increase jobs and support both local and large businesses in Long Beach. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

Long Beach’s economic growth depends on creating a business-friendly environment while maintaining public safety and quality of life. We need to streamline permitting and reduce unnecessary barriers so both small businesses and larger employers can grow and invest in our city.

I will work to attract more film and television production to Long Beach. This is an industry that brings high-quality jobs and revenue without long-term strain on city services. At the same time, we must support our local business districts by partnering with them to ensure economic activity does not come at the expense of safety, as we’ve seen concerns raised in areas like Belmont Shore.

Targeted incentives for local businesses, workforce development and stronger partnerships with employers can help create more opportunities for residents.

Finally, fiscal responsibility is essential. By managing our budget more effectively, we can reduce pressure for additional taxes and work toward stabilizing costs, including our already high sales tax.

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.)

Long Beach has invested significant resources into addressing homelessness, but residents are not seeing the results they deserve. The problem has worsened, and it’s clear we need a more accountable and transparent approach.

My first step would be a comprehensive audit of current programs to evaluate what is working, what is not and where funds may be misallocated. We cannot continue spending without clear outcomes or measurable progress.

Recent spending decisions have raised valid concerns about priorities, especially as the city faces a significant budget deficit. We must ensure that every dollar is used effectively and delivers real benefits to residents.

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.)

Public safety and community trust must go hand in hand. I support targeted enforcement that prioritizes individuals who pose a real threat to our communities. We have serious crime in Long Beach, and those responsible (regardless of status) should be held accountable.

At the same time, blanket enforcement can create fear and undermine trust, making it harder for residents to cooperate with local law enforcement. We need a balanced approach that keeps our city safe while respecting the dignity of those who are working, contributing and part of our community.

I also believe we need to move away from labels like “sanctuary city,” which often create division without delivering real solutions. We can support our residents, advocate for practical immigration reform and engage in open, respectful dialogue with our federal partners.

Many cities in the region have struggled hiring and retaining police officers, with some implementing hiring bonuses and other incentives to bolster their ranks. What would you like to see the city do to ensure sufficient law enforcement capacity? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Recruiting and retaining high-quality talent is critical to delivering effective city services. This is an area I understand well from my background in higher education admissions, where I was responsible for identifying and recruiting top talent.

Long Beach needs to be more strategic in how we attract qualified professionals, including experienced lateral candidates who can step in and make an immediate impact. That means offering targeted incentives and creating a work environment that values performance, accountability, and growth.

At the same time, this must be done with fiscal responsibility. We cannot solve staffing challenges by overextending our budget or making unsustainable commitments. Every hiring decision should be tied to outcomes and aligned with the city’s broader financial reality.

Hard decisions will be required to prioritize critical roles and ensure we are using resources effectively.