Meet the Candidates: California’s 47th State Assembly District

We are just 3 weeks away until the Primary election on June 7.

One of the big races for State Assembly includes the newly drawn 47th district.

This year's candidates include:

• Christy Holstege, Democrat,  City Councilmember/Businesswoman
• Jamie Swain, Democrat, Truck Driver/Businesswoman
• Gary Michaels, Republican, E-rate Company Owner
• Greg Wallis, Republican,  Assemblymember's District Director

News Channel 3's Samantha Lomibao spoke with each candidate ahead of the election.

What makes you stand out from the other candidates?

Holstege: "I'm the only candidate on the ballot who served in elected office, I have represented the city, it'll be 5 years in November, I was just mayor for the city of Palm Springs. And then I've worked as an attorney as well for 10 years here in this region representing hundreds of residents throughout this district."

Swain: “I am a veteran, I am a truck driver, I’m from the community. I grew up in an impoverished neighborhood so I know how it is to feel like you know you’re doing the best that you can but you just can’t make ends meet."

Michaels: “Running companies, managing businesses, working with a multitude of people and coming from private industry gives me a perspective that I don’t think either Greg or Christy have. Or not enough experience because I’ve been doing this now for several decades because I have a long career.”

Wallis: “I’ve been the District Director for the Assemblymember in this district for the last 7 years so I know the district well. I’ve built relationships with stakeholders and community leaders here that’s why our campaign has been endorsed by a majority of the mayors in the district.”

After a couple of years in a pandemic, thousands of businesses throughout the state were forced to shut their doors forever.

What would you do to uplift the economy?

Holstege: "Regional Economic Development is so important, especially for a region like ours where we're geographically isolated from the state, we have a lot of minimum wage jobs. And so we have to invest in good paying jobs with careers and benefits and good wages."

Swain: "I'm a small business owner. So we need to make sure that the businesses get the money that they need so that they can pay their employees so that their employees hopefully can pay their babysitters so that they continue to work."

Michaels: "We have to get rid of regulations and really get behind small business and all of our private employers that generate jobs in our district, and make their lives easier. And I think we'll come out of this much quicker."

Wallis: “I've got firsthand experience working in our local communities with our businesses, helping them keep their doors open and helping them get their PPP. That's something that I've continued to do is your legislators.”

And nationwide, an uproar from both sides after a leaked Supreme Court draft of the possible reversal of Roe versus Wade.

What is your stance on abortion?

Holstege: “I'm really proud to be the only candidate endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the Pacific Southwest, Naral you know, so many of these organizations that support women and their families and our basic constitutional rights.”

Swain: "I am against the thought of women and using abortion as a method of birth control. I feel that yes, it should be up to the woman. There should be some communication between the mother and father of the child before abortion is just the first option."

Michaels: "I do believe that we really shouldn't go there unless the woman's life is a you know, impaired somehow or the the life of the baby. When I talked to medical experts, we now have the technology that when the woman wants to abort I think it's at a certain week like 24 weeks we can take the fetus out and and have it and still raise the child I think I think with very good odds of success."

Wallis: “We're gonna have to wait and see but I feel like that's that's something that you know is appropriate for legislatures to take a look at and that needs to be a conversation we have in our community.”

47th State Assembly District

The 47th district will include much of the Coachella Valley (Except for Indio and Coachella), Yucca Valley, Banning, Beaumont, and Yucaipa. Riverside County makes up 76% of the district while 24% is in San Bernardino.

Cities in 47th Assembly District:

• Banning
• Beaumont
• Bermuda Dunes
• Cabazon
• Calimesa
• Cathedral City
• Desert Hot Springs
• East Highland
• Idyllwild
• Indian WellsJoshua Tree
• La Quinta
• Morongo Valley
• Mountain Center
• Oak Glen
• Palm Desert
• Palm Springs
• Rancho Mirage
• Thousand Palms
• Yucaipa
• Yucca Valley