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: Ronald Sampson

Current job title: Design Engineer

Age: 42

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Long Beach

Campaign website or social media: Instagram: @ronaldsampsonlb

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.)

My top financial future priorities:

• Structural deficit reduction: Addressing the $60.5 million, five-year shortfall by reducing ongoing expenses and moving away from one-time fixes.

• Economic diversification and growth: To move beyond oil reliance through the “Grow Long Beach” initiative to bolster aerospace, tourism, health care and education.

• Infrastructure and public safety: Invest in public safety (police, fire) and improving infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

• Housing and homelessness prevention: To sustain funding for housing production and homeless services, partly supported by Measure A and other grants.

My plans to achieve them:

• Spending cuts and efficiency: Direct certain departments to cut spending and begin implementing a hiring freeze to manage the immediate $20 million shortfall.

• Revenue generation: Implementing the “Grow Long Beach” initiative, aiming to attract companies and create new revenue through advertising and tax initiatives.

• One-time funds usage: Utilizing the remaining “Service Our City Future” funds for critical needs without creating long term obligations.

• Infrastructure investment: Using Measure A and CIP funds to modernize city services, including improving street quality and in housing-specific projects.

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.)

When it comes to ICE/CBP actions, I am strongly against ICE/CBP actions. I believe it’s not only slowing down the economy, but it is also taking away from the progress in the direction that this country has been moving in.

Racism is ugly and plagues humanity no matter what. We must remember “to love others like we love ourselves.”

My address will be to most residents’ concerns regarding federal immigration enforcement (ICE and CBP) in Long Beach: It will require a multifaceted approach led by city officials and local advocacy groups. My productive stance is characterized by strengthening local sanctuary protections, providing direct financial and legal aid and active legislative pushback against aggressive enforcement tactics.

I also believe we must empower residents with information, which is a core pillar of how the city responds in situations where safe place certificates, right to silence and the right to refuse entry may arise.

With more citizens knowing their rights, more attractions may be prevented. Which will have results of higher percentages of public safety.

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.)

My approach begins with first reclassifying the homeless. In the ’80s, a lot of veterans were thrown out into the streets with physical and mental problems, with their resources being cut.

Homelessness has to be reclassified for a very high percentage or veterans, emergency workers and fire fighters fall into depression because of the physical demands placed on them and their families due to the physical and mental strain from their employment. I also want to begin a training/labor-ready program (after individuals are medically cleared to work) through the city and local unions that will create a fast track to take people from homeless to tax-paying citizens.

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.)

Public safety is the biggest concern in District 3 and must always come first. I am firmly committed to protecting and strengthening fire and EMS services and will advocate against budget cuts that jeopardize public safety. Cutting fire and emergency services puts residents, neighborhoods and first responders at unacceptable risk and should never be used as a short-term budget solution. There should never be a time when profit is put over public safety.

To ensure long term stability, I support securing public safety funding through multiple reliable sources, including grants, dedicated revenues and voter approved local funding, where appropriate, to protect essential services and pursue proven funding solutions such as the SAFER Grant and the Assistance to Firefighters grant, which helps place more firefighters and EMS professionals on the front lines without overburdening the city general fund.

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

I am a proud member of Local 78 and Oasis Church of Los Angeles in the Wilshire District, and also a dedicated community advocate with years of experience in solving city problems and public service. I’m committed to building a stronger, fairer and more connected Long Beach for everyone.