Candidate Profile: Allan Mansoor

Assemblyman Allan Mansoor is one of the candidates vying for the newly redrawn 74th Assembly District—an area that covers Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Irvine and Huntington Beach.

The following are Mansoor's answers to a questionnaire formulated by Patch.

NAME: Allan Mansoor
AGE: 48
RACE: 74th Assembly District
TITLE: Assemblyman
KEY ISSUES: Balance the Budget, Pension Reform
KEY ENDORSEMENTS: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher; Rep. John Campbell; Rep. Ed Royce; State Senator Mimi Walters; State Senator Tom Harman; Assemblywoman Diane Harkey; Supervisor Pat Bates; Sheriff Sandra Hutchens
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: www.allanmansoor.com  

Why are you running again for State Assembly and what qualifies you to hold office? I’m running for State Assembly because our State is broke.  We desperately need meaningful reform; pension reform, budget reform, welfare reform. But if you listen to special interests up in Sacramento all they want is more money from taxpayers, and that’s unacceptable.

What are the most important issues facing voters in your district?   The voters of this district, like taxpayers all around the State, are being strangled by the influence of special interests. We need to fight back against those that care more for their own interests rather than the interests of the taxpayers.  

Do you offer any pledges or promises to voters?   I will fight fiercely for reform. I will not vote to raise taxes. Our State has so much waste and inefficiencies; it’s a crime to ask taxpayers to pay more for a Government that is not working for them.  

What have you enjoyed the most about being an assemblyman?   It’s hard to think of enjoyment when I’m watching taxpayers being sucked dry.  I believe the most beneficial part of being an Assemblyman has been the learning experience of just how much special interests control our State Government.  

What do you consider to be the most important strides you have made in your district since holding office?   I’ve got an open door policy.  Any one of my constituents can knock on my door and I’ll meet with them.  I’ve been the lead in the Assembly fighting for pension reform and because of that I’m a target of the special interests.  When there is close to a million dollars being spent against you by special interests up in Sacramento, you know you’re doing something right.  

Will you share with us a little-known fact about yourself, something that might surprise even your family or friends?   I enjoy fighting for taxpayers but I do not enjoy the special interests culture up in Sacramento.   

As you know, Costa Mesa has faced quite a few problems over the last couple of years including a lack of consistent leadership in the police force (was it three different captains in the past two years?)  What would you do to address dissatisfaction in this city?   During my time in Costa Mesa I fought for our residents and their quality of life.  Now that I’m in Sacramento I’ve shifted my focus to Government Reform.  I believe local issues should stay that way: local.  

What do you plan to do about our pension problems?   During my first two years I’ve been the lead on the Assembly Republican side fighting for Pension Reform.  A lot of the ideas we came up with were adopted by Governor Brown in the plan that he proposed.  Curbing pension spiking, the purchase of air time, and lowering unaffordable and unsustainable benefits are some of the ideas that most reasonable people can agree with.  I support Brown’s plan, but his party does not, and I find that shameful.  This is why we need to curb the power of special interests.  

Which do you think is more important to the citizens of California, protection of civil liberties, or public safety and security? If faced with a vote that might infringe upon the civil liberties of Californians in the interest of protecting the public from a threat, which principle would guide your decision?    While it is the job of the State to protect its citizens, a lot of bad legislation is regularly passed for the sake of “protecting” us from ourselves.  California has become the poster child of a failed Nanny State. I will continue to oppose the legislators in Sacramento who believe they know how to live your life better than you do. 

Will you vote for Allan Mansoor? Tell us why in the comments.