Derek Haskell, Carson City Council District 2 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire – Press Telegram

Ahead of the November general 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.

Name: Derek Haskell

Age: 46

Current job title: Executive Director

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: N/A

City where you reside: Carson

Campaign website or social media: Haskellforcarson.nationbuilder.com

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower price points, while also preserving local control and the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Investing in Carson’s youth. Building a legacy for generations.

One of the most important parts of my vision for Carson is making sure our young people are not simply watching history happen — they are helping create it.

As a City Council member, I would make youth development a major priority by connecting Carson’s young people with leadership opportunities, mentorship, career pathways, sports, volunteerism, civic engagement and international cultural exchange.

Carson is a 2028 LA28 venue city, making this an extraordinary moment for our community. LA28 has identified youth sports and lasting community impact as important parts of its legacy, including a $160 million commitment to youth sports across Los Angeles.

My vision is to establish the Carson LA28 Olympic Youth Committee for young people ages 14-24, creating a structured pathway for youth to become ambassadors, volunteers, leaders and community representatives.

Through initiatives such as the LA28 Youth Concierge Team, young people could gain hands-on experience in hospitality, event support, cultural exchange, public speaking, community service, career exploration and civic leadership.

But the goal goes far beyond 2028.

We want a young person who joins this program today to become tomorrow’s business owner, teacher, healthcare professional, public servant, community leader, coach or elected official.

The Olympics will come to Carson in 2028 — but our investment in Carson’s youth should continue for decades.

My goal is to create a pipeline where today’s youth become tomorrow’s leaders, passing the knowledge, confidence, relationships and commitment to service they gain to the next generation.

The Games may last weeks. Their impact on Carson’s young people can last for generations.

How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I believe Carson can meet residents’ needs while strengthening its financial future, but it requires discipline, transparency and a balanced approach. My life and professional experience have taught me that you cannot solve financial problems by simply spending more — you have to establish priorities, measure results and make every dollar work harder.

As a City Council member, I would pursue three strategies simultaneously: protect essential services, responsibly address long-term obligations such as pension and debt liabilities, and maintain healthy reserves for emergencies. Carson already has established reserve policies, so we should protect those safeguards while reviewing spending for efficiency and measurable results.

We also need to grow our revenue base rather than relying solely on cuts or asking residents to pay more. That means supporting economic development, attracting quality businesses, filling vacant commercial properties, encouraging responsible development and creating jobs that expand Carson’s tax base.

Finally, every department and program should be evaluated: What is working? What isn’t? What can we do better?

My approach is simple: cut waste — not essential services; grow the economy — not residents’ financial burden; and plan for tomorrow without neglecting the needs of today.

Fiscal responsibility is about making Carson stronger for the next generation, not just balancing one year’s budget.

The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the city do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Transparency starts with making government information easy to understand, easy to access and easy to question. My background in business administration, community service, youth development and public-sector work has taught me that people deserve to know how decisions are made and how their tax dollars are being used.

Carson has already taken steps in this direction through its online financial transparency tools, which allow residents to review revenues and expenditures. But we can do more.

As a City Council member, I would advocate for plain-language financial reporting, timely updates on major expenditures and contracts, clearer explanations of budget changes, and stronger opportunities for residents to participate before major decisions are made. I would also support regularly reporting measurable results — not just how much money was spent, but also what residents received for that investment.

Transparency should also apply to public safety, infrastructure, economic development and city services. Residents should be able to track major projects from approval through completion.

My philosophy is simple: if taxpayers can fund it, taxpayers should be able to see it, understand it and hold their leaders accountable for it.

Government works best when the people are not just informed — but also included.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

In my opinion, Carson’s biggest need is creating greater opportunity and improving quality of life for the next generation while keeping our community safe and financially strong.

My campaign approaches this as an interconnected challenge. We cannot talk about public safety without talking about youth opportunity, economic development, education and strong neighborhoods. Carson’s own planning priorities recognize the importance of safety, economic development, quality of life and efficient government.

As a City Council member, I would focus on building a stronger pipeline of opportunity for our young people through mentorship, career training, internships, skilled trades, healthcare, technology, sports and civic leadership. My Carson LA28 Olympic Youth Committee would help turn the 2028 international spotlight into a long-term investment in Carson youth.

At the same time, I would work to make our neighborhoods safer and cleaner, support local businesses and good-paying jobs, expand access to human services, and ensure City Hall listens and responds to residents.

My goal is not simply to fix today’s problems — it is to build a Carson where the next generation has more opportunities than the generation before it. That’s what leadership that delivers should look like.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I believe I would be a strong leader because my leadership has been shaped by service, community involvement, and a commitment to creating opportunities for others. For more than 17 years, my work has included community development and youth-focused initiatives, including programs connecting young people with education, technology, healthcare, mentorship and career opportunities.

My experience has taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers — it is about listening, bringing people together and turning community concerns into action. I have worked with youth, families, nonprofits, schools, businesses and community organizations, giving me an appreciation for the different perspectives that make our communities stronger.

As a City Council member, I would represent Carson by making sure every neighborhood, generation, culture and socioeconomic background has a voice at City Hall. I would actively engage residents, listen before making decisions and build partnerships rather than divisions.

My goal is to be a leader who represents the entire community — not just the people who agree with me.

Leadership that listens. Experience that delivers. A commitment to serve every resident of Carson.