SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – One of the three Democratic candidates for California District 3 (CA-03) attended a candidate forum on Wednesday at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC). Bennett, who the Tribune has interviewed before, fielded questions from students on his vision for supporting students as a representative.
Bennett described himself as a “people first, corporate free” candidate who decided to run for Congress last April. Now, he is in the primary race for the Democratic candidate, who will then run for election this November. Moderator Beck Machin-Ward asked Bennett questions that had been submitted by students for the forum.
Bennett had a strong stance for supporting students, especially with the looming question of financial aid and federal grants. Recently, college graduates who utilized the SAVE Plan under President Biden were made to begin payments on their student loans. At the same time, other grants and programs that support disadvantaged students, such as the TRIO programs, feel at risk with the slashing of the Department of Education.
Bennett expressed an interest in public universities and trade schools becoming tuition free to increase access. He also said he would advocate for students of LTCC who live in Nevada, as they pay an out-of-state tuition despite LTCC being the only nearby community college they can attend. Regarding undocumented students, Bennett also reaffirmed his stance for abolishing ICE and passing humane immigration policies.
In response to questions about the environment and climate change, Bennett said it was one of his most important platform points and referenced the ongoing challenges of Liberty Utilities entering the energy market, which he attributed to NV Energy prioritizing data centers over their existing customers.
He also addressed disinformation and the lack of youth civic engagement, saying that he was interested in increasing political education and building community as a way to increase it. Bennett is the youngest candidate currently running in CA-03.
During the open question portion, students asked Bennett about his stances on protecting transgender Californians from violence, what congressional committees he was interested in joining, gun control and his availability as a candidate—a hot topic for Tahoe residents who felt Rep. Kiley did not attend town halls.
Bennett expressed that he wanted to enshrine LGBTQ+ and women’s rights into the Constitution, paying special attention to transgender people, who he said are often used as a political scapegoat (along with other marginalized groups.)
As a disabled veteran, Bennett said he was interested in joining committees on Foreign Affairs, Military and Veterans’ Affairs. “We need people with moral clarity involved on these and we need more veterans in positions of power, because many representatives claim to care about them and then show that they really don’t.”
Bennett also said he had experience with artillery and weapons, including guns. While he acknowledged that guns routinely cause harm to gun owners and their family, he felt that current gun laws needed to be “common sense” including a public health lens, limits on automatic rifles. “It should be based in safety and not penalizing people through money.”
Lastly, Bennett said he saw a lack of town halls from both Ami Bera (one of his opponents in the Democratic primary) and Kevin Kiley, and said he would commit to regularly meeting with constituents. “I want to spend as little time in DC as possible because I want to spend time with the people I actually represent,” said Bennett.
Bennett lastly gave his support for policies like the Green New Deal and a billionaire tax both federally and in California.
Other candidates were extended an invite to candidate forums, including Heidi Hall, who will appear at LTCC on Wednesday, April 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
