For the first time since 1974, no incumbent is running to represent UCLA and Westwood in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Henry Waxman, a Democratic legislator who represented Westwood in the 33rd Congressional District for 40 years, announced in January that he will retire after the end of his term this year.
In June’s primary election, candidates Ted Lieu and Elan Carr advanced to the November general election from a large race of 18 people. To the surprise of many, Carr, the only major Republican candidate running in the district, finished first in the primary in a heavily Democratic district.
The Daily Bruin spoke with Lieu and Carr last week to learn more about their platforms.
Ted Lieu
Ted Lieu, a Democrat, is the current state senator for the 28th Senate District, which covers UCLA and Westwood. He has served in the position since 2011 and as a state assemblyman from 2005-2010. Before he was an assemblyman, he worked as a civil lawyer.
Daily Bruin: Congressman Henry Waxman has been a formidable voice in the House. How do you plan to continue Waxman’s legacy but still carve out an identity for yourself?
Ted Lieu: The reason why so many people love him is because he was effective. As a member of Congress, I would continue to try to pass legislation.
I am not sure why I would want to differentiate myself from him. If I can do even half of what Waxman has done, it would be a remarkable success.
DB: You have said college loan interest rates are too high and you would like to see them lowered. Why do you see this as necessary?
TL: The student loan debt problem has all sorts of negative ramifications for the economy. It’s preventing students from doing what they want to do. So, I would sign onto Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s bill that would let students refinance loans to a much lower interest rate. And if I could, mandate through legislation that student loan interests be reduced.
DB: On Sept. 18, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1839, a bill you co-wrote that expands California’s tax credit for the film and television industry. If elected, do you plan to continue that course at the federal level?
TL: That depends on what the tax break is and what the break is designed to do. We win by emphasizing comparative advantages. If we look at sectors where we can compete and incentivize those sectors, that’s how we succeed. Not all tax breaks are the same.
DB: In late August, your Senate Bill 828 passed the legislature, barring public universities from conducting research that helps the federal government’s data mining. At the federal level, what actions do you think can be done to limit the power of the National Security Agency?
TL: I would have bipartisan legislation rein in the NSA’s bulk collection program. NSA knows who you called, etc., and to do that is flat-out unconstitutional. The Fourth Amendment makes it very clear.
DB: How would you rein in the program?
TL: We need to change how the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is constituted. In the surveillance court, there’s only one side presented – the side of the government. We need to have an adversarial proceeding. Otherwise, it’s a chamber that rubber-stamps what the government wants.
DB: If elected, how do you foresee your experience as a state senator helping you with the job?
TL: This position is not an executive position. It’s not a local position. It’s a legislative position. I have a track record of trying to solve problems through legislation.
Elan Carr
Elan Carr, a Republican, is a gang prosecutor at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and a former Iraq War veteran. Carr is the son of Jewish immigrants and will be one of a few Jewish Republicans in Congress if he is elected.
DB: You said that tuition at public universities, including the UC, is rising because the state is failing to grow economically. What do you mean by that?
EC: A sluggish economy leads to falling revenues and budget cuts that force the UC to increase its tuition. Furthermore, a sluggish economy hurts students in even a bigger way because an increase in tuition – as big as that is – that’s nothing compared to the ability to get a better-paying job. That’s even more of a pain for students.
DB: You are something of an anomaly in the party, especially in the area of immigration reform, since you have repeatedly said you support giving legal documentation to undocumented residents. Why do you support it?
EC: The status quo is untenable. We have porous borders and millions of undocumented immigrants we need to find some solution for.
My stance puts me at odds with some Republicans, but there’s a growing understanding that there are a great many undocumented residents who are very good, decent people. It’s our job to secure the border. It’s a bit hypocritical for us to react with outrage when we make no effort to prevent them from coming.
DB: You have said you want to make the tax code simpler. Why should we do so?
EC: Our tax and regulatory structure is suffocating and makes it very hard for business to thrive. It makes it very hard for banks and lenders to provide backing to companies. We are shackling our job creators.
DB: The federal court had called for the state to reduce its number of inmates in state prisons. There is also a proposition on the ballot this year that calls for the state to reduce its punishment for certain crimes. What’s your take on criminal justice?
EC: The realignment has been a disaster. The realignment bill has emptied prisons into our local communities and the result speaks for itself: less safety and an increase in crime.
The state is doing this because they don’t have money. I don’t agree with the state, but I understand why the state is doing this. We need to prioritize our spending better, but that’s only a temporary solution.
DB: If elected, how do you foresee your experience as a gang prosecutor and a former Army soldier helping you for the job?
EC: As a gang prosecutor and a former war veteran, I have taken care of people and protected them. That’s given me a real sense of what people need and how to get people what they need, which is safety and security.
Compiled by Jeong Park, Bruin senior staff.