The 27th Congressional District
The 27th Congressional District race is an important election for the Santa Clarita Valley and, lately, it’s been a pretty hotly contested seat, which has garnered attention from both national parties.
In a district that has gone back and forth between red and blue, Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, is looking to defend his seat against Santa Clarita City Councilman Jason Gibbs, who is second to Whitesides in fundraising, as well as two other Democrats, Caleb Norwood and Roberto Ramos.
Ahead of California’s top-two Primary Election on June 2, The Signal asked all four candidates the following questions about these hotly debated issues. (Ramos did not respond to the questions.)
1. Where do you stand on the administration’s priorities with respect to operations that target illegal immigration?
2. What has been President Donald Trump’s best accomplishment in the first 18 months of his second term and where has he failed?
3. Should Congress have more oversight on the situation in Iran? Explain your answer.
The candidates were also invited to submit a biography of up to 150 words. The candidates’ answers and brief bios are presented below in alphabetical order by last name:
Jason Gibbs
I’m Jason Gibbs, a Santa Clarita City Council member, former mayor, mechanical engineer, husband and father running for Congress in our 27th Congressional District.
As a professional engineer, I’ve spent my career solving problems and I’ve applied that whether it’s working in the aerospace industry or serving our community in local government. I’m running because too many California families feel like they are falling behind. The cost of living keeps rising, communities do not feel as safe, and too many decisions are being made by politicians disconnected from everyday life.
In local government, I’ve focused on practical solutions, public safety, and protecting our quality of life. I’ll bring that same approach to Washington by focusing on lower costs, safer communities, economic opportunity and accountable government that puts real people first.
1. I support securing the border and enforcing immigration laws, especially when it comes to violent criminals, drug traffickers, and individuals who threaten public safety.
I believe immigration enforcement should be focused, lawful and practical. We also need Congress to finally modernize the legal immigration system by reducing backlogs and improving legal avenues for contributing workers and their families. The current system is not working for communities, law enforcement, or legal immigrants.
2. I think the administration’s strongest accomplishment has been directly tackling the cost of living by removing tax on Social Security, tax on tips and expanding the affordability of homeownership with the mortgage write-off expansion. The administration has also restored focus to border security and domestic energy independence. We’ve seen the number of illegal crossings dramatically dropping and we are no longer reliant on oil supply from the Middle East. Americans are tired of constant division and conflict in national politics. People want leaders focused on solving problems and improving daily life, not fueling more political fights.
3. Congress has an important constitutional responsibility when it comes to military engagement and foreign policy oversight. The president needs the flexibility to respond quickly to immediate threats, but extended military operations and broader regional conflicts should involve congressional oversight and authorization. It’s important for accountability and transparency with the American people.
Caleb Norwood
I am running because I see the corporate and fascist takeover of our country and how our politicians, like our incumbent, are not fighting against it by offering better solutions. I am running to be able to give the average person in America a life where they can have housing, health care, child care, education, better public transportation, access to high-speed internet, and the ability to get a high-paying job to build this infrastructure.
1. The immigration issue in our country revolves around bosses hiring people at lower wages, exploiting them, and then calling immigration services if they stand up for themselves. The Trump administration is not addressing this issue of corporations exploiting immigrant labor, and instead is kidnapping people and trying to scare them into submission.
2. His best accomplishment is moving cannabis to a Schedule III drug. However, full legalization or decriminalization is needed so people nationwide can work in the industry and indulge safely. He has failed on his promise to bring prices down and to not start any new wars. Prices for everything have been skyrocketing, and we are in the middle of a war from which it doesn’t look like we will pull out anytime soon.
3. Yes, this war is massively unpopular, with 61% of Americans disapproving of it at the time of writing this. Congress having more oversight at least gives the American people more of a chance to have their voices affect policy as long as their congressperson listens to their demands, unlike Trump, who does not respond to polls on this issue.
Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce
I’ve spent my career solving problems. I helped lead NASA as chief of staff, created hundreds of good jobs in the Antelope Valley as CEO of Virgin Galactic, and co-founded Megafire Action to tackle the wildfire crisis. I went to Washington to bring down costs, expand economic opportunity, and take on corruption so that Congress works for the people it represents. In my first term, I’ve fought to protect health coverage for seniors and families, lower costs, and bring federal funding back to our district. I’ve led on important bills to protect our community from wildfires, ban stock trading among elected officials, and cut through red tape so we can build more affordable housing. I look forward to continuing that important work on behalf of the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and San Fernando Valley.
1. I believe in securing the border, and I’ve supported investments in advanced technology, more border patrol agents and immigration judges, upgraded ports of entry, and physical infrastructure where it makes sense. At the same time, I have serious concerns about the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently operating. I will hold ICE agents accountable when they break the law or violate people’s rights. Enforcement must be conducted lawfully, with due process, and in ways that don’t undermine the communities and local economies they’re meant to protect.
2. President Trump ran on lowering costs for American families, and that was the right thing to run on. I was hopeful that we could work together across the aisle to tackle this issue head-on. But his administration’s actions have only made the problem worse. Tariffs are raising prices on everyday goods, and the Republican budget he’s championed would cut Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of Californians and slash food assistance for families already stretched thin. I’ve voted against every attempt to cut these programs. Lowering costs means protecting what families already have, not taking it away to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.
3. Yes, Congress should always have a meaningful role in matters involving potential military action or significant shifts in foreign policy, and Iran is no exception. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, and the War Powers Act exists for a reason. I hear from families, business owners and workers across our district who are being stretched thin by skyrocketing gas prices caused by the Iran war, and I’ve repeatedly pushed administration officials in Armed Services Committee hearings to address these concerns.
The 40th Assembly District
The 40th Assembly District also is an unusual district. On paper, the Democratic Party has about a 10% edge in registration numbers, 138,783 to 103,888, but that doesn’t take into account the more than 76,000 no-party preference voters, who make up more than 22% of the district’s 344,103 registered voters.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, earned her first term in 2024 by garnering 52.8% of the vote.
This time around, she’s being challenged by Republican candidates Elizabeth Wong Ahlers, Andreas Farmakalidis and Rickey Hayes II.
Ahead of California’s top-two Primary Election on June 2, The Signal asked all four candidates the following questions about three very important issues for the SCV that can be addressed in Sacramento. (Hayes did not respond to the questions.)
1. In what ways can Sacramento do more to not only help keep residents safe, but also to make sure a situation like the Chiquita Canyon Landfill never happens again?
2. Taxes are frequently mentioned as a concern in California in many areas. Where would you lower taxes, and why?
3. The cost is seen as a huge obstacle for doing business in California. How can those barriers be lowered to keep more businesses here and help attract new ones?
The candidates were also invited to submit a biography of up to 150 words. The candidates’ answers and brief bios are presented below in alphabetical order by last name:
Elizabeth Wong Ahlers
My family has been California-born for six generations. We helped build this state, from the railroad era to engineering the California Aqueduct, freeways and bridges, while raising strong families and serving our communities. Now it’s my turn to serve. My husband and I have raised six children, sustained a family business, volunteered in schools and churches and served in local office. I’m running for state Assembly because families in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys feel squeezed by rising costs, unsafe neighborhoods, failing schools and growing government bureaucracy. Californians deserve safe streets, affordable living, reliable energy and water, and opportunities for the next generation to succeed. I support parents’ rights in education, domestic energy production, protecting girls’ sports, stronger public safety laws like Proposition 36, and reducing burdensome regulations so families and small businesses can thrive again in California.
1. Sacramento failed residents around Chiquita Canyon by reacting too slowly and allowing agencies to operate without accountability. We need mandatory independent air and groundwater monitoring at landfills, automatic public notification when toxic thresholds are exceeded, and stronger penalties for operators that violate safety standards. I also support emergency relief funds for affected residents and stronger oversight to ensure communities are never left in the dark again. Public safety is not only about crime. It is also about protecting families from environmental hazards before a crisis spirals out of control.
2. California families need immediate relief from rising costs. I support permanently suspending the state gas tax, lowering taxes and fees on energy production to reduce utility bills, and protecting Proposition 13, which limits future taxes on homeowners. Small businesses that create local jobs should receive targeted tax relief instead of being buried under endless fees and regulations. Government should focus on affordability and accountability, not growing bureaucracy while working Californians struggle to pay for groceries, housing and fuel. Lower taxes and lower energy costs will help families stay in California and give businesses confidence to invest here again.
3. California can compete again if we make it easier to build, hire and invest. I support reforming CEQA to stop frivolous lawsuits that delay projects for years, fast-track permitting for small businesses and manufacturers, and reducing costly energy regulations that drive employers out of state. We also need workers’ compensation reforms, including limits on payout duration, reasonable reporting timelines, and stricter standards for presumed job-related illnesses. In addition, California should offer tax incentives for companies that create jobs and keep operations here. We should reward hard work, entrepreneurship and investment, not punish success with endless red tape.
Andreas Farmakalaidis
My name is Andreas Farmakalidis, and I’m running for the state Assembly because California’s families and small businesses are being pushed to the breaking point. I’ve spent years serving this community as a small-business owner, college educator, Rotary leader and chair of the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. As the co-founder of California MusicBox, I’ve helped bring music education, jobs and opportunities to local families while advocating for schools and working directly on legislation affecting small businesses through the chamber’s government affairs efforts. I’m honored to be a Presidential Award recipient and Grammy-nominated musician, but my greatest accomplishment is serving the community I call home. I’ve worked closely with families struggling with rising costs, business owners overwhelmed by regulations, and students losing opportunities in education and the arts. California needs practical leadership focused on affordability, public safety, education and creating opportunities — not more politics as usual.
1. Sacramento must stop reacting after disasters happen and start protecting communities before they do. Families near Chiquita Canyon have dealt with odors, health concerns and uncertainty for far too long while bureaucracy moved slowly. We need stronger environmental oversight, faster emergency response, independent inspections and real accountability when public safety is ignored. As someone who works closely with residents and businesses through the chamber’s government affairs efforts, I believe government must listen sooner — not after communities suffer. Government works for the people, not the landfill operators. California must start acting like it.
2. California’s tax system is punishing workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. I support eliminating state income tax on the first $100,000 earned, lowering gas taxes, reducing energy costs, eliminating burdensome small-business fees, expanding entertainment industry incentives, and supporting innovation in digital assets and technology. As a small-business owner, I’ve seen how excessive taxes and regulations drive jobs and families out of California. Government should reward people who create opportunities, not punish success. “California became great because people chased opportunity here.”
3. Starting a business in California should be rewarded, not punished. We need to lower entry-level fees, reduce corporate taxes, streamline permits, and cut costly regulations that make it harder for entrepreneurs to succeed. Businesses bring jobs, investment and tax revenue into our communities. When companies leave California, families lose opportunities and local economies suffer. As a small-business owner and chamber leader involved in government affairs, I’ve seen firsthand how excessive costs are driving businesses away. “California doesn’t have a business shortage, it has a government barrier problem.”
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth
Prior to serving as your Assemblymember, I was a small business owner and nurse advocate. Times are tough. With prices on the rise, families like ours have made tough choices for too long. That’s why I ran for Assembly, why I have focused on policies to help our community, and why I am running for re-election. Some of what we have accomplished — which is the work I will continue to focus on — includes bringing more than $100 million back to our district and legislation to: bring down everyday costs, like gas and utilities; lower health care costs; protect small businesses from retail theft and predatory lenders; ensure people have housing and child care they can afford; support veterans by connecting them with benefits they’ve earned; provide tax relief for veterans and residents impacted by the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster; and prevent utility companies from overcharging us to bolster their profits.
1. Sacramento has made important progress on public safety and the Chiquita Canyon crisis, but more must be done. I’ve amplified community voices to advocate for the most significant update in landfill oversight in decades, and I’m leading legislation to ensure this never happens again. I’ve carried and supported legislation to combat child sex trafficking, fentanyl and retail theft while supporting funding for law enforcement, victims services, and Proposition 36 — earning support from law enforcement (Los Angeles Police Protective League, Peace Officers Research Association of California and Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs).
2. Californians are struggling, so tax relief should focus on those who need it most. I’ve supported and authored property tax relief for veterans and disabled veterans, tax relief for military and law enforcement retirees, targeted tax breaks for small businesses, and tax relief to victims of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. We should continue reducing costs while protecting investments in public safety, education, health care and infrastructure Californians rely on every day.
3. California must do more to lower costs and cut red tape for businesses while protecting workers and consumers. I’ve worked on streamlining permitting, improving housing fee transparency, supporting California Environmental Quality Act and Private Attorneys General Act reform discussions, and introducing legislation to combat financial scams and fraud for individuals and businesses. I’ve also supported business tax relief in the budget and hosted webinars connecting businesses with financing, technical assistance, and free resources through organizations like the Small Business Development Center.
Compiled by Signal Staff.
