Elections
What is your view on the 2026 California ballot proposition that requires voters to show a government-issued photo identification to vote?
Voter ID is basic common sense. You need ID to board a plane, open a bank account, or cash a check. Voting should be no different. Requiring photo ID helps ensure trust in our elections, and trust is everything. We should make it easy and free for every eligible voter to get an ID, but there's nothing controversial about wanting secure elections that people have confidence in.
BUDGET
The California's budget deficit continues to grow. What approach do you believe the government should take to address the mounting debt?
California isn't broke because Californians aren't paying enough. It's because government is too big, too wasteful, and not accountable. After 16 years of one party rule, spending has exploded. We pay the highest taxes in the country for the worst results. We need a full audit of state spending, real transparency, and a focus on core priorities. I launched CAL DOGE to expose fraud and waste, and as governor I'll apply that same approach across state government. We will find, stop and prosecute fraud - and, wherever possible, get our money back. At the same time, we need to grow the economy again by lowering costs and making it easier to build, hire, and invest.
ISRAEL
What is your view on U.S. support for Israel?
America should stand firmly with Israel. Israel is a democracy and that shares our values and is on the front line against terrorism. I've been very clear that antisemitism is rising and must be confronted directly, whether it's overseas or here at home. Supporting Israel is about standing with a free society, defending itself and standing against terrorism. That should not be a controversial position.
BORDER
What is your view of President Donald Trump's measures to enhance border security?
Voter ID is basic common sense. You need ID to board a plane, open a bank account, or cash a check. Voting should be no different. Requiring photo ID helps ensure trust in our elections, and trust is everything. We should make it easy and free for every eligible voter to get an ID, but there's nothing controversial about wanting secure elections that people have confidence in.
MARRIAGE
In 2024, Californians voted to amend the Constitution to establish marriage as a fundamental right regardless of sex. What is your view on this amendment?
Strong marriages and stable families are the biggest factor in whether children succeed, yet too many policies in California make it harder, not easier, for families to come together, stay together and thrive. We should be strengthening families and supporting parents, including by working with faith-based and community organizations that are already doing that work.
ABORTION
What is your view on abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to return the issue to the states?
Thanks to President Trump the Supreme Court returned this issue to the democratic process, which is where it belongs. In California, the constitution was amended in a ballot initiative passed by 67%, and no governor has the constitutional authority to change that. But California talks about values while too often leaving women without real support. If the state is serious about valuing life, that has to include both mother and child. We should be expanding prenatal care, strengthening adoption, and working with faith-based and community organizations to provide real, practical support. Too often abortion is treated as the only option. California can do better by making it easier for families to grow and thrive. I will do everything in my power as governor to move our state towards life.
PARENTAL RIGHTS
What is your view of the Supreme Court's decision supporting a parent's right to know about their child's gender issues at school?
I believe that parents should not be cut out of their children's lives. That's just common sense. Schools exist to support families, not replace them. Keeping secrets from parents breaks trust and puts government in a role it should never have. Of course, these situations should be handled with care and sensitivity, but the starting point has to be honesty and respect for parents' rights. As governor I will be a champion for parental rights in education.
VACCINES
What is your view of vaccine mandates for public school students?
Government mandates, especially one-size-fits-all rules, have gone too far. We saw during COVID how heavy-handed mandates damaged trust and ignored legitimate concerns from parents. Decisions about children's health should involve parents and doctors, not politicians and bureaucrats. We should be focused on transparency, choice, and rebuilding trust; not forcing compliance. That's how you get better outcomes. I was one of the first people in the country to speak out against covid lockdowns, and later against the totally unjustified vaccine mandates. As governor I will establish a Covid Accountability Commission to make sure the people who made such far-reaching decisions that did so much harm are held accountable, and that we do everything in our power to compensate people who were harmed.
Elections
What is your view on the 2026 California ballot proposition that requires voters to show a government-issued photo identification to vote?
I support requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote. Californians should have confidence that every legal vote is counted and protected. Voter ID is a common-sense safeguard that most people already use in everyday life for banking, travel, or picking up prescriptions. I also believe we should make identification easily accessible to every eligible voter so no lawful voter is prevented from participating. Protecting election integrity and maintaining public trust in our elections should never be a partisan issue.
BUDGET
The California's budget deficit continues to grow. What approach do you believe the government should take to address the mounting debt?
California doesn't have a revenue problem - it has a spending problem. For too long, Sacramento politicians have passed bloated budgets, expanded government, and made promises taxpayers can't sustain. As Governor, I would focus on cutting waste, prioritizing core services, auditing state agencies, and bringing accountability back to government spending. We need to create a stronger economy by lowering costs, supporting businesses, and keeping jobs in California, because growing the private sector - not raising taxes - is how you generate long-term revenue and stability.
ISRAEL
What is your view on U.S. support for Israel?
I support Israel as a free society and one of America's strongest allies in the Middle East. As governor, my priority will always be California and America first. Our government's responsibility is to protect our citizens, secure our border, strengthen our economy, and keep our country safe.
BORDER
What is your view of President Donald Trump's measures to enhance border security?
I support requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote. Californians should have confidence that every legal vote is counted and protected. Voter ID is a common-sense safeguard that most people already use in everyday life for banking, travel, or picking up prescriptions. I also believe we should make identification easily accessible to every eligible voter so no lawful voter is prevented from participating. Protecting election integrity and maintaining public trust in our elections should never be a partisan issue.
MARRIAGE
In 2024, Californians voted to amend the Constitution to establish marriage as a fundamental right regardless of sex. What is your view on this amendment?
I believe every person should be treated with dignity and respect under the law. At the same time, my focus as Governor will be on the issues impacting Californians every day - public safety, affordability, homelessness, energy costs, and restoring common sense to government. I'm not running to divide people over social issues. I'm running to get California back on track.
ABORTION
What is your view on abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to return the issue to the states?
I'm pro-life. I also believe the Supreme Court made the correct constitutional decision by returning the issue to the states and the people. As Governor, just as I have always done as Sheriff, my focus will be on protecting life.
PARENTAL RIGHTS
What is your view of the Supreme Court's decision supporting a parent's right to know about their child's gender issues at school?
I believe parents have the fundamental right to know what's happening with their children at school. Parents are not the enemy - they are the primary decision-makers in their children's lives. Schools should educate, not keep secrets from families. I support transparency, parental involvement, and policies that ensure moms and dads are informed about important issues affecting their children's health, safety, and well-being.
VACCINES
What is your view of vaccine mandates for public school students?
I oppose government vaccine mandates for public school students. Medical decisions should be made by parents in consultation with their doctors, not forced by politicians or bureaucrats. I believe in protecting public health while also respecting individual freedom, parental rights, and informed consent.