Candidate Profile: Leslie Daigle

Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle 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 Daigle's answers to a questionnaire formulated by Patch.

NAME: Leslie Daigle
RACE: 74th Assembly District
TITLE: Small Business Owner
EDUCATION: University of Denver and the University of Copenhagen
KEY ISSUES: Balancing the budget without new taxes, pension reform
KEY ENDORSEMENTS: California Secretary of Education and State Senator Marian Bergeson (ret.), former Costa Mesa Chief of Police Dave Snowden, Sheriff Lee Baca, Irvine Unified School District Trustee Carolyn McInerney, Coastkeeper of Orange County President Garry Brown
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: www.votelesliedaigle.com

Why are you running for State Assembly and what qualifies you to hold office? I am running for Assembly because I am tired of the rhetoric and ineffective leadership coming out of Sacramento. On the Newport Beach City Council, I have been able to help reform pensions and create multi-million dollar reserves despite the failing economy. I’ve helped improve the environment and support the business community. I want to do the same in Sacramento.

What are the most important issues facing voters in your district?

The most important issues facing our district are those that face the rest of the state --- we must find a way to cut spending without reducing vital emergency services like police and fire, we must find a way to work with public employees to reform the pension system, and we must remind government that it is supposed to work for us, not run our lives.

Do you think serving on the Newport Beach City Council has prepped you to serve in the State Assembly? If so, how?

I believe my work on the Newport Beach City Council has prepared me to help reverse the direction in Sacramento. Newport Beach enjoys a Triple A credit rating and multi-million dollar reserves --- some things that Sacramento can only help for at this point. I’ve put the hard work in to accomplish these things for Newport Beach and I will do the same for Sacramento.

Do you offer any pledges or promises to voters?

I pledge to do everything within my power to make sure that tax money is spent wisely and spending is cut. I pledge to get results and make no excuses.

Will you vote for Leslie Daigle? Tell us in the comments.