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: Hilda Solis
Current job title: Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor
Age: 68
Political party affiliation: Democratic
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: U.S. Secretary of Labor; U.S. Representative, California; California State Senator; California State Assemblymember; Trustee, Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees
City where you reside: El Monte
Campaign website or social media: hildasolis.com
From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)
The rising cost of living, affordability, immigration, and healthcare are the most urgent issues facing Californians today.
The rising cost of living is squeezing families. Tariffs and policies under the Trump administration have raised prices while giving tax breaks to billionaires. I will roll back harmful tariffs and ensure federal tax policy prioritizes relief for working families.
What we are witnessing is horrific. Families are living in fear because of aggressive immigration raids that tear loved ones from their homes, leaving communities traumatized. Raids that remove workers disrupt livelihoods, strain communities, and slow economic growth. I will work to stop these harmful raids, hold ICE agents accountable for misconduct, and end funding that prioritizes fear over safety. I will push for comprehensive immigration reform that creates a permanent pathway to citizenship, protects workers’ rights, and strengthens our economy so families can live without fear.
Healthcare access is under attack, and the consequences of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” are already being felt.
Millions will lose coverage due to cuts to Medicaid, forcing families to choose between medicine and basic needs.
These changes will worsen inequities and strain providers, putting lives at risk. I will fight to restore funding, protect coverage for preexisting conditions, lower prescription drug costs, and expand access so no one goes without lifesaving care. Beyond reversing the damage, I will advance long-term solutions that guarantee healthcare as a right, including stronger public options and steps toward universal coverage.
Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Voting is an American right, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect access to the ballot for every eligible citizen. While the Constitution gives states authority to run elections, that authority does not extend to creating barriers that disenfranchise voters or make it harder for Americans to participate. Federal protections must ensure no state uses new laws as a pretext to suppress turnout. Recently, Trump voted by mail in a Florida special election even as he publicly criticized mail-in voting. That contradiction shows why efforts to impose new hurdles at the ballot box demand scrutiny and accountability.
The federal government should protect secure and accessible voting options, including mail-in ballots, and defend states that implement them. Efforts to require proof of citizenship or restrict voting methods without evidence of widespread fraud risk excluding millions of eligible voters, particularly women and people of color, and undermine confidence in our elections.
I will oppose any federal move to roll back safe voting options that Americans have relied on for decades. I will also strengthen safeguards against misinformation and false claims that threaten voter confidence. Ensuring that every eligible voter can cast a ballot without undue burden is how we make our democracy stronger, fairer, and truly inclusive for all Americans.
What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Immigration is about people, families, and communities, not politics. Too many families live in fear because cruel ICE raids are ripping parents from their children and leaving households traumatized. I have seen the damage this causes firsthand. Families lose their livelihoods, children lose stability, and communities lose trust in government. I will fight to stop these raids, hold ICE accountable, and push for comprehensive immigration reform that creates a permanent pathway to citizenship, protects workers’ rights, and strengthens our communities. Despite what the Trump Administration promised, 73.6% of those detained by ICE had no criminal record – and only 5% had been convicted of a violent crime.
We must also protect people fleeing violence, persecution, or disaster. Asylum is not a privilege, it is a lifeline. A fair, efficient system allows people to rebuild their lives safely, work, and contribute to the places they call home.Visas for high-skilled workers are important, but immigration policy must serve all workers and families, not just the wealthy or highly trained. Border security must never come at the expense of human dignity. Every policy should protect families, expand opportunity, and support communities rather than punish them. Smart immigration policy is essential to a strong economy.
The federal government must create a humane, practical system that protects people, defends workers, and strengthens our economy. Immigration is a source of strength and resilience for our communities and our country.
It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Communities hit by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires cannot wait. Families are still displaced, local businesses are struggling, and public infrastructure is in disrepair. Beyond writing letters, I would take action to ensure federal disaster aid reaches those who need it most.
I would organize and amplify the voices of people directly affected. This includes meeting with fire survivors and partnering with local organizations to document recovery needs. By putting real stories in front of federal agencies and lawmakers, we can make it impossible for them to ignore the urgency.
I would also build coalitions across local, state, and federal levels. Engaging members of Congress from California and other affected regions, collaborating with the Counties of Los Angeles and Orange, and coordinating with state agencies strengthens the push for funding and ensures resources are allocated efficiently.
At the same time, I would use my platform to demand accountability from federal officials, calling out delays and inaction and making it clear that Southern California families cannot be left behind. I would advocate for direct support for housing, rebuilding infrastructure, and grants for small businesses and workers impacted by the fires.
Recovery is about more than money. It is about leadership and urgency. I would push every available lever to secure funding, deliver relief, and help communities rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient for the future.
Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Lawmakers should serve the people, not profit from their positions. I support banning them and their families from trading individual stocks while in office. Trades should only occur through blind trusts or broad-based funds, and financial disclosures must be frequent and public. Violations should carry fines, removal from committees, or other strong consequences. Independent oversight is essential to ensure compliance. When lawmakers use their positions for personal gain, it betrays public trust and undermines our democracy. Protecting the integrity of Congress ensures decisions are made for working families and communities, not the wealthy few.
Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Low-income communities and communities of color are on the frontlines of pollution and climate change. Families breathe unsafe air, face wildfire smoke, and live near industrial pollution that threatens their health. Corporations and the fossil fuel industry have profited while our communities suffer, and systemic failures have allowed this injustice to continue.
Stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions are essential, but they must not burden small businesses or working families. I would provide technical assistance and funding to help small businesses transition to cleaner operations, expand energy efficiency programs, and create incentives for renewable energy. Investments in public transit, clean-energy jobs, and community infrastructure can protect the environment while creating good-paying opportunities for local workers.
I will push for strong enforcement to hold major polluters accountable while ensuring smaller businesses have support to comply. Communities have waited too long for relief from pollution and climate impacts. I will fight to ensure families can breathe clean air, access safe water, and thrive in a healthy, just environment. Government must act boldly to protect people over profit and make corporations responsible for the damage they have caused.
President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Before even considering increasing the Defense budget, the Trump Administration must be reigned in and its illegal war must be stopped. Trump began the war with Iran not on the basis of an emergency situation, and should have gone to Congress first. This is a violation of the War Powers Act and the Constitution. We must not place any troops or Americans overseas in greater danger with budget constraints, but we cannot look at the Defense budget as a whole without understanding where this war has already taken us.
Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Every international situation is different. But first and foremost, we have a Department of Defense (no matter what Trump and Hegseth claim), and defending our national security is first and foremost. But I believe all diplomatic efforts should be made to prevent war, and only after those efforts are exhausted – and only if there is an immediate threat to our national security – should Congress declare war, in cooperation with the President as commander-in-chief. There are potential long-term threats to national security as well, but those can be encountered in strategic ways (such as diplomacy and deterrence). We should not put our troops in harm’s way without full deliberations and congressional approval, except in emergency situations, such as while under attack.
Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Yes. Article I, Section 8 of our Constitution grants the power to declare war. The War Powers Act was adopted in 1973 in an attempt to rein in Presidential abuse, and intended to check the U.S. president’s power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress. I believe if properly implemented this law would be an effective process for deciding when to engage in armed conflict. Unfortunately, the current leadership of Congress has failed to meet its responsibilities.
Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
We are seeing a president who acts without regard for rules, treating power like it belongs to him alone. Congress is supposed to check that power, but too many Republicans are standing by while policies harm working families, women, older adults, and communities of color. This is not oversight, it is failure.
Government must serve the people, not billionaires or corporations, and lawmakers must act decisively to stop abuses of power and enforce meaningful oversight. Silence while Americans struggle is unacceptable. Democracy only works when power is checked, and I will stand boldly to ensure government serves everyone.
Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Social media connects young people to learning, community, and civic engagement, but it also exposes them to harassment, manipulation, and mental health risks. Congress must act to protect youth while keeping access to information open.
Tech companies must be held accountable. They should enforce strong privacy protections, limit targeted advertising to minors, and prevent harmful content from reaching children. Platforms should provide clear reporting tools, age-appropriate defaults, and guidance for parents, caregivers, and educators.
Policy solutions should empower children, not punish them, and tackle the root causes of online harm rather than banning access.
Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
All families deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. Real safety begins with addressing the root causes of insecurity. We must invest in affordable housing, mental health care, education, and good-paying jobs so families have stability and opportunity. Thriving communities are safer communities, and we must take full advantage of community-based policing to ensure safety and trust go hand-in-hand.
Prevention works. Youth programs, community-based violence reduction, and reentry support have proven results in reducing crime and building trust. At the same time, challenges like homelessness, substance use, and economic insecurity directly affect daily safety and require federal support and coordination with state and local governments.
In Congress, I will fight to bring resources directly to communities and expand evidence-based programs I have championed and implemented on the Board of Supervisors, including youth violence prevention, reentry support, and community-based mental health initiatives. I have worked to ensure local programs provide alternatives to incarceration, support at-risk youth, and strengthen neighborhoods. Families should be able to live without fear, and communities must have the resources to be safer and stronger.
There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Term limits alone will not fix what is broken. We must strengthen ethics rules, increase transparency, and reduce the influence of money in politics. The goal is to ensure those in office remain responsive, effective, and focused on working families, women, and communities of color.
Congress must remain accountable to the people it serves. Voters want fresh perspectives, but they also expect experience and results. I am open to term limits if that is what the American people support, as long as they balance new leadership with the experience needed to deliver.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Perhaps it isn’t very hidden, because I have a track record of bringing people of different backgrounds together to work for positive change. As a public servant, much of my role and responsibilities involve me being the one speaking, but the true strength of my coalition-building ability is my talent for listening. Listening never captures public attention, but I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve served by doing just that, and it informs the policymaking in which I participate. It has particularly informed my work on tackling pollution in our communities, from the Exide plant contamination to groundwater contamination in the San Gabriel Valley. We would not know as much as we do without listening to people affected, and to the scientists who monitor and develop solutions.