It’s a year out from the election, and those of us in the 41st Congressional District have two choices to represent us in Congress: Ken Calvert or Will Rollins. I know many in the LGBTQ+ community automatically support Rollins, but I believe we need to look beyond just the issues impacting our community, and look at where both candidates stand on all the issues.
Make no mistake: It is important that both candidates support LGBTQ+ protections, and I was heartened to see that Rep. Calvert voted in support of gay marriage and has repeatedly said that he does not support revisiting the question of gay marriage, as it is settled law. I admire his ability to admit he has evolved on the topic, as many have, including current President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama. We should congratulate our community on changing the hearts and minds of so many people, and we should reward elected officials when they cast their vote the right way.
I am also pleased that Rep. Calvert has stated plainly that he does not support a federal ban on abortion, would not vote for it, and respects the right of Californians to determine reproductive health policies for women.
With these issues settled, we need to look at the topic impacting virtually everyone—the economy.
California continues to suffer under the highest gas prices in the nation, and Will Rollins has stated he wants to curb traditional energy production, which would mean even higher prices at the pump. The progressive left has made it clear that they want to eliminate all carbon emissions. Our energy policies must be based in economic and functional reality. Transitioning so quickly could have devastating impacts to our area if we do not have affordable options or the power requirements to meet demand for air conditioning or refrigerated food storage.
Rep. Calvert has proposed the much more reasonable “all of the above” energy strategy that does not shut down domestic energy production while continuing to explore renewable and clean energy. I have also been impressed by his record on air and water quality issues, where he is considered a leader in California for securing water supplies, removing old, dirty diesel engines off the roads, and focusing federal air-quality grants on areas that need the most help.
The other issue that is hurting every community across the country is the rapid rise in prices of goods. President Biden and House Democrats went on a spending spree that fueled the highest inflation in decades. Will Rollins seems ready and eager to continue to vote for reckless government spending—including new benefit programs and student-loan forgiveness—that would only fuel more inflation, lead to even higher interest rates and continue the downward spiral.
Rep. Calvert has voted several times to rein in unnecessary spending while prioritizing national security, border security and care for our most vulnerable populations, including seniors. The Coachella Valley is home to many retirees, and Rep. Calvert has made it clear he does not support any changes to Social Security or Medicare. In fact, he wants to work to ensure these programs remain solvent for years to come.
I also think it is noteworthy that the first step Rep. Calvert took when he began representing the valley was to collaborate with local leaders. Those conversations have turned into action, as he recently announced that he has secured more than $16 million in funding for Coachella Valley priorities. It is clear he is an experienced member of Congress who works across the aisle to get things done.
Will Rollins touts that he is young, which is true; he is also unproven and unknown. Rollins was born and raised in Los Angeles County and only moved here recently to run for Congress. I don’t believe we need to look to L.A. for an effective representative to send to Washington, D.C. I believe we have one with Rep. Calvert right here in Riverside County.
Jake Stelmach is an avid hiker, a full-time worker and a full-time resident of the Coachella Valley. He has no direct link to the Ken Calvert campaign.
Calvert has been in Congress for three DECADES. A career politician who (only through redistricting) has suddenly been forced to care about the Coachella Valley. Drain the Swamp, start with Calvert.
Kudos to CV Independent for publishing a conservative voice, but no thanks to Ken Calvert. Calvert is Team Trump all the way, which says it all for me. Calvert’s change of heart regarding LGBTQ issues coincides with his facing a tough election where a good percentage of the voting population is part of that group. He’s hardly an ally.
I disagree in almost every respect with your policy arguments but appreciate that you are arguing an old-school conservative approach. You do omit the massive welfare handed to corporations during the Trump era while criticizing relief that helped families live as we exitedthe pandemic.
However, the only real issue in this campaign is the continuation of our democracy, and who supports it and who opposes it. Simple – Trump tried to overthrow the will of the people, and Ken Calvert continues to support Trump. That alone is disqualifying. Not even close. I hope for a time when we again have two political parties that embrace democracy. Until then, preventing Trump’s stated aim of dictatorship and retribution is the only patriotic path forward. Vote for Will Rollins.
One important issue about Ken Calvert that Jake Stelmach failed to mention is that representative Calvert voted to NOT accept the 2020 results of the presidential election, thus breaking the oath he took when being sworn into The House to uphold the Constitution of the United State of America. Instead, he sided with the domestic terrorists perpetuating the lie that the 2020 election was “stolen” although no evidence of this “theft” has ever been presented and 60 of the 61 lawsuits presented to our legal system by trump and his MAGA extremists were dismissed. By failing to uphold his oath to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, Calvert has forfeited his right to represent the people of the 41st Congressional District.
Ken Calvert voted to open impeachment inquiry into President Biden with absolutely no evidence to support such an impeachment. None. This kind of frivolous voting makes Calvert unfit to serve. I’m voting for Will Rollins.
While I disagree with Jake on his conservative point of view on economics, etc., more importantly, his using one vote to tout that Calvert is on the side of us as LGBTQ+ people is frankly, just BS. He has a multi-decade history of promoting and voting for legislation against LGBTQ+ people., in fact, AFTER the one favorable vote, just recently, he voted to block funding for LGBTQ community centers across the country (story here: https://about.bgov.com/news/palm-springs-congressman-in-crosshairs-as-gop-nixes-gay-funding/). When it comes to marriage equality, he historically spoke out against it and voted against it. He only voted favorably when it was going to pass regardless of his vote and when he needed to appeal to the voters of the Coachella Valley. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and to try and make the case he is on our side or even remotely a friend to the LGBTQ community is simply laughable.
This is Ken Calvert:
There aren’t many Republicans in Congress with records quite as extreme as Ken Calvert’s.
Democracy:
No on certifying President Biden’s victory in 2020
LGBTQ issues:
No on the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act
No on recognizing gay marriage nationally, and sought to ban it in California
He publicly outed a former Democratic opponent
Women’s rights:
No on the right to Contraception Act
No on the Violence Against Women Act
No on the Equal Rights Amendment
No on the Fair Pay Act
Sensible gun laws:
No on assault weapons ban
No on expanding background checks
No on the Protecting Our Kids Act
Yes to expand conceal and carry laws
Yes to protect firearms manufacturers from lawsuits
The environment:
No on the Inflation Reduction Act which made historic investments in clean energy
No on protecting people from toxic incinerators
No on recovering America’s wildlife
No on investing in transportation and water infrastructure
No on cracking down on oil company price gouging