Dameon Gordon, Long Beach City Council District 7 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: Dameon Gordon

Current job title: Homeless Case Manager

Age: 39

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Long Beach

Campaign website or social media: None

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 is facing serious fiscal challenges, and we must address them with transparency, accountability and a focus on protecting essential services. My top priority is ensuring that our city budget reflects the real needs of residents in District 7. Public safety, clean streets, youth programs and housing stability.

First, we must carefully review city spending to eliminate waste and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively. Strengthening oversight and making budget information more accessible will help residents understand how their money is spent and build public trust.

Second, we need to grow our local economy in ways that strengthen our tax base without placing additional burdens on working families. Supporting small businesses, revitalizing commercial corridors and investing in workforce development will create jobs and bring new revenue to the city.

Finally, Long Beach must aggressively pursue state and federal funding for infrastructure, housing and homelessness programs so we can reduce pressure on our local budget.

By combining responsible budgeting with smart economic investment, we can put Long Beach on a stronger financial path while continuing to invest in the communities that need it most.

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.)

People in Long Beach are scared and frustrated, and they have every right to be. When federal agencies like show up in our neighborhoods conducting operations that terrorize families, it damages the trust in entire communities.

Let me be clear, our city should not be a place where hardworking families feel hunted or afraid to take their kids to school, report a crime or go to work. Long Beach has always been a city built on diversity. And that diversity should not be targeted.

As a councilmember, I will push for stronger protections to ensure local resources are never used to support federal immigration enforcement that harms our residents. I will also advocate for rapid-response community communication, legal support for impacted families and partnerships with trusted community organizations so residents know their rights.

Public safety means everyone feeling safe, not just some people. I will stand with the families of this city and make sure Long Beach continues to lead with dignity, fairness and respect for all who call it home.

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.)

Homelessness and the lack of affordable housing are major challenges in Long Beach. Housing First programs have helped some people, but they are not enough on their own. Many are not ready for permanent housing because of untreated mental health issues, addiction or long-term street homelessness.

We also rarely see the full scope of the crisis. Mothers fleeing abusive homes have nowhere safe to go. Adult grandchildren with no place to stay can put their parents’ or grandparents’ senior housing at risk. These hidden struggles are real and urgent and demand solutions that reach everyone, not just those living on the streets.

I support a full continuum of care that meets people where they are. This includes stabilization and recovery housing, treatment-focused programs and support that links housing with employment and life skills. Prevention is critical, including rental assistance, eviction defense and mediation to stop homelessness before it starts.

Long Beach can solve homelessness if we act boldly, provide diverse pathways to stability and expand truly affordable housing for all residents. We must give people the support they need while keeping neighborhoods safe and livable.

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 7 is in crisis. Families are getting priced out, rents are rising and too many residents are left without safe, stable housing. People should not have to choose between paying rent, feeding their family or keeping a roof over their heads. This is the most immediate issue facing our community, and it demands bold action now.

If elected, I will push for policies that keep people in their homes and expand access to resources for those already struggling. Housing alone is not enough. We need mental health and addiction support, employment programs and life skills resources so residents can stay housed long term.

Transparency and accountability will guide everything I do. Residents deserve to know how the city spends its money, have a voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods and see real results from programs meant to help them.

We cannot wait while people fall through the cracks. District 7 needs a councilmember who will fight for housing, hold the system accountable and create pathways for stability. Long Beach can rise to this challenge, but only if we act boldly, strategically and with the people of our community leading the way.

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

I bring lived experience, professional leadership and deep community commitment to this role. As a Long Beach native and active West Side advocate, I understand the challenges our neighborhoods face. Serving as HOA president of Windward Village in West Long Beach, I worked closely with residents and board members to address local concerns, improve neighborhood conditions, and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Professionally, I have led teams as an administrator and program director, managing staff, consultants and budgets. These roles taught me how to plan strategically, allocate resources effectively, and ensure programs deliver meaningful results for the people they serve.

Beyond professional experience, I am a husband, father and active community advocate. My focus has always been on creating opportunities, supporting families and strengthening neighborhoods. Combining personal perspective, management experience and deep roots on the West Side, I am prepared to listen, collaborate with the community and lead initiatives that improve the quality of life in District 7.