Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Fatima Iqbal-Zubair
Current job title: Legislative Affairs Manager
Political party affiliation: Democratic
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: CA Democratic Party Delegate
City where you reside: Harbor Gateway
Campaign website or social media: fatimaforassembly.com
Do you believe balancing the state budget should rely more on spending cuts, new revenue streams or a combination? Tell us how you would propose tackling California’s projected budget deficit. (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
In places like South LA and the Harbor area, the lack of investment in our community has already created deep inequality. As an immigrant, educator, and mother to a son with special needs, I’ve lived the same struggles that working families across my district face every day: rising costs of living, underfunded schools, polluted neighborhoods, and a lack of access to quality, affordable health care and housing. Funding cuts to these essential services would further endanger the communities that need these investments the most.
As Assemblymember, I will invest in Californians and make sure our communities have the resources to thrive today and for generations to come. I will pursue a balanced approach to the budget that includes strict auditing to limit or cut non-essential programs while ensuring smart, targeted efficiencies, so waste is reduced, money is saved long-term, and programs are accountable to the needs of Californians.
Additionally, California’s middle class is shrinking while the very rich are getting even richer. I will work to close this gap by closing tax loopholes and ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share, so the lives of working-class Californians become more affordable. This includes re-evaluating corporate subsidies and redirecting those funds into essential services like education, health care, and housing.
I believe the best way to balance our budget and ensure a financially healthy future is by investing in Californians today.
For you, what’s a non-starter when talking about budget cuts? Why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I’ve spent years as a community organizer, fighting for programs that uplift families and ensuring the stability they need to thrive. I have seen firsthand the harm that budget cuts to on essential services cause working-class Californians. Cutsthat freeze Medi-Cal expansion, in-home care services for seniors and those with disabilities, threaten food stamps, add new costs for low-income families, or defund the California State University and University of California systems, hurtthe very people who are already struggling to get by. These are budget-cut non-starters for me. As an Assemblymember, I will refuse to balance the budget on the backs of vulnerable and working-class Californians.
What are the top three most pressing issues facing the state, and what would you propose, as a state legislator, to address them? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
California has the fourth-largest global economy, yet families are struggling to pay rent and afford the basics. As Assemblymember, I will bring bold leadership that tackles the high cost of living, increases access to quality education,guarantees healthcare, and delivers affordable housing.
The cost of living is too high. Californians are working harder than ever but are still struggling to get by. We need to raise wages to a true living wage, crack down on corporate price gouging, and ensure the top 1% pay their fair share, so working families can afford groceries, housing costs, and electricity and gas bills.
As a former high school science teacher in Watts, former member of the California Teachers Association, and a mother to a school-age child with special needs, I know how critical it is that our public schools are fully funded and resourced. I will work to create smaller class sizes, bring funding for more counselors and support staff, expand access to childcare and afterschool programs, and increase wages for all school workers.
The high cost of housing is pushing families out of the communities they’ve built. I will work to strengthen tenant protections, including expanding rent caps and just-cause eviction protections, and build more affordable housing so working families can stay rooted in their communities.
For too long, our communities have been neglected and overlooked. I’m running for State Assembly because Californians deserve leadership that fights for a better future for us all.
What specific policy would you champion in the statehouse to improve the cost of living for residents? Would you see this having an immediate impact on Californians or would it take some time? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Californians who work hard should be able to support their families, save for the future, and feel secure in the communities they call home. Right now, too many are being squeezed by rising costs while wages haven’t kept up.
As Assemblymember, I will champion comprehensive legislation that raises wages, reduces the cost of living, and holds corporations accountable. I will continue to push for a living wage and fight to expand workers’ rights so families can keep up with the cost of rent, groceries, and bills. I will also work to crack down on corporate price gouging for essentials like food and gas and close corporate tax loopholes so the wealthiest pay their fair share.
The biggest drivers of everyday costs are housing, health care, and utilities. I will work to strengthen renter protections and build more affordable housing, work toward guaranteeing universal healthcare so families aren’t buried in medical bills, and lower energy costs through clean energy investments and by holding utility companies accountable to providing affordable rates.
Some of these changes like cracking down on price gouging and strengthening workers’ and tenants’ rights can deliver immediate relief. Others will take more time but create lasting stability. A balanced approach that seeks immediate remedies while building a sustainable future will create a California that works for all of us, not just those at the top.
There have been numerous efforts made in the state legislature to curtail federal immigration enforcement in California, from prohibitions on agents wearing masks to banning federal officers from future employment in a public agency. Do you see any area where the state could better protect its residents from the federal government’s widespread immigration crackdown? Would you prefer the state work more hand-in-hand with the federal government on immigration? Where does the role as a state legislator fall into your beliefs here? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Our communities deserve to feel safe, respected, and protected. As an immigrant, I know what it feels like to start over in a new country. My family left everything behind during the Gulf War, and I watched my parents work low-wage jobs while struggling to keep a roof over our heads. That experience stays with me, and the contributions my family has made to the communities we have lived in is why I know immigrant families make our communities stronger.
California must continue to lead by protecting our most vulnerable community members, not enabling harmful federal crackdowns. I do not support expanding cooperation with federal immigration enforcement that targets working families and tears communities apart.
As Assemblymember, I will champion stronger sanctuary protections and ensure no state or local resources are used for immigration enforcement. I will work to fully fund legal defense and community-based programs, expand access to health care and education regardless of status, and protect workers’ rights including the right to unionize without fear or intimidation. I will also hold workplaces that engage with ICE accountable and implement strong oversight measures that hold federal agencies accountable when they antagonize our communities, so families have proper recourse when subjected to abuse orintimidation.
As Assemblymember, I will stand with our communities and fight for dignity, safety, and opportunity for all. That includes supporting bold solutions and being clear about my values. I support abolishing ICE and ensuring California remains atrue, safe haven for immigrants and working-class people.
Health care costs — like in many other areas — are continuing to rise. What policies, specifically, would you support or like to champion that could lower premiums or out-of-pocket expenses? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Health care is a basic human right, but right now too many Californians are being forced to choose between getting care and paying bills. We need bold action to lower costs and make sure families can access the care they need.
As Assemblymember, I will lead by putting people over profit by protecting and expanding Medi-Cal so seniors, children, working families, and immigrants don’t lose coverage because of budget cuts or federal rollbacks. I support moving California toward a universal health care system so we can eliminate premiums, copays, and deductibles altogether. Administrative waste and profits from our largest corporations drive up costs.
I will take action to lower prescription drug costs by allowing the state to negotiate prices directly, removing profit-driven insurance companies from the process. I will also hold insurance companies accountable by cracking down on unjustified rate hikes, wrongful denials, and hidden costs.
I will work to fund community clinics, safety-net providers, and mental health services––especially in neighborhoods that have been left behind––so families can get care early and close to home.
I will champion health care workers by fighting for fair wages, safe staffing, strong benefits, and the right to unionize. A strong health care workforce improves care for all, which is why I will partner with community organizations and nonprofits to bring more health care professionals into underserved communities, creating long-term access where it’s needed most.
Would you support expanding state health care programs to ensure more residents — including those who are not citizens — are covered? How would you propose the state fund such an expansion? Or, how would you propose the people who cannot afford health care still get the necessary care they need without expanding state programs? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I support expanding health care coverage so everyone – including those who are not citizens – can access the care they need.
Making sure everyone can access healthcare makes our communities as a whole healthier and improves public health outcomes. As Assemblymember, I will champion expansions to Medi-Cal and work to move California toward universal coverage, so every family can see a doctor, get preventative care, and avoid medical debt. To fund expansion, I will work to close corporate tax loopholes, end wasteful subsidies, and ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share so we can invest in thehealth and well-being of all Californians.
When there is local and affordable access to preventative care and community clinics, we reduce expensive emergency visits and hospitalizations. I will work to improve the quality of care in community health centers and safety-net providers, so even as we expand coverage, we ensure care is accessible in every neighborhood.
As part of combating homelessness, elected officials often talk about the need to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. What policies or programs should the state adopt to make housing more affordable for renters and homeowners? What do you propose the state do to incentivize housing development and expedite such projects? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
As Assemblymember, I will champion solutions that make it possible for every Californian to afford housing. A job loss, medical procedure, or natural disaster shouldn’t force a family to fall behind on their mortgage or rent and lose their home.
I will fight to strengthen tenant protections, including passing a Tenants Bill of Rights that includes rent caps, just-cause eviction protections, and the right to counsel, so families aren’t pushed out of their homes by predatory practices. To protect local residents and keep housing accessible and affordable, I will work to limit speculative purchasing practices that drive up home costs.
I will champion policies that fast-track affordable housing, streamline permits for affordable projects, exempt 100% affordable housing from property taxes, and support development of social housing. I will champion multi-family housing development near transit and reform restrictive land use policies that have unfairly priced working families and young people out.
Homeownership should be attainable for all Californians. That’s why I will develop partnerships that support first-time buyers and create pathways for working families to achieve housing stability. To incentivize development, I will champion tax credits, public financing, and faster approvals with strong labor standards so good-paying union jobs are created alongside housing.
I will be a strong advocate to ensure that every Californian can live in the communities they want to live and work in.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2023 authorizing state energy regulators to penalize oil companies making excessive profits. But the California Energy Commission put off imposing the penalties last year after two oil refineries, which represent nearly a fifth of California’s refining capacity, said they would shut down operations. Those announcements prompted many to be concerned about soaring gas prices. What do you think of the commission’s decision? And how would you, as a state legislator, propose balancing California’s climate goals with protecting consumers from high gas prices at the pump? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Californians are already struggling with high costs, while big oil companies continue to make record profits. I will not allow threats of refinery shutdowns to be used to avoid accountability. To achieve a sustainable future for all, I will work to hold oil companies accountable for price gouging and pollution, making sure any penalties are paired with direct relief for families paying more at the pump or who have had their health harmed.
The long-term solution to high gas prices is reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. I will fight for a balanced, people-first approach: crack down on price gouging to protect California’s consumers, require transparent and advanced planning to reduce the impacts communities feel when refineries shut down, and pursue bold action that accelerates California’s transition to affordable, clean, reliable energy alternatives.
I’ve seen firsthand that a worker-led clean energy transition works. My experience creating policy at a climate justice nonprofit and co-chairing an alliance that bridged labor and environmental interests has uplifted working families, brought good-paying, high-quality union jobs to California, and directed sustainable investments into our communities.
Moreover, as a member of the Watts Rising community leadership council, I helped bring investments that created union jobs, built affordable housing, expanded public transit, and added green infrastructure that improved both affordability and quality of life.
These targeted, worker-led investments work to reduce costs and improve community well-being. As Assemblymember, I will push to scale these solutions so all Californians can benefit from clean air, clean water, healthy and affordable communities.
In 2024, voters approved Proposition 36 to increase penalties for certain drug and retail theft crimes and make available a drug treatment option for some who plead guilty to felony drug possession. Would you, as a legislator, demand that more funding for behavioral health treatments be included in the budget? How would you ensure that money is used properly? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
For too long, California has underinvested in mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Real safety comes from making sure people have access to the resources, treatment, housing, and support they need to break destructive cycles. Criminalizing people without offering real pathways to healing perpetuates harmful cycles. As Assemblymember, I will combat this by investing in community-based, culturally competent treatment programs, expanding access to mental health care, and ensuring services are available regardless of income or background.
Beyond investment, I will push for strong oversight and accountability, including clear reporting on outcomes, transparency in how funds are spent, and prioritizing programs with proven results, so we don’t let people who need support down. I will also work to partner with trusted community organizations and providers to ensure care actually reaches the people who need it most.
What role should the state play in ensuring hospitals and doctors are providing gender-affirming care to LGBTQ+ residents? Similarly, what role do you believe the state could play should other states adopt policies that restrict that care? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I have always stood on the side of protecting and expanding LGBTQ+ rights—supporting marriage equality, backing California’s role as a sanctuary for transgender people, and standing up to harmful federal attacks. As Assemblymember, I will protect and expand access to gender-affirming care by ensuring coverage, supporting providers, and holding systems accountable to deliver affirming, high-quality care.
California must also lead in the face of attacks from other states. I support creating a state legal defense fund for patients and providers, establishing statutory protections against out-of-state lawsuits, and ensuring that anyone who comes to our state can receive quality care safely under California law. I will also work to build a rapid response network that provides legal support, housing, and mental health services for LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis and hold any entity accountable if they assist in enforcing harmful out-of-state policies.
The state has a responsibility to ensure that all Californians can access safe, medically necessary care including gender-affirming care, as well as being a safe haven for others to come here to receive that care. The LGBTQ+ community deserves dignity, respect, and the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies without fear or political barriers.
Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Do you believe it’s the state’s responsibility to regulate social media use? Why or why not? And what specific restrictions or safeguards would you propose as a state lawmaker? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
As an educator and a mom to a son with special needs, I’ve seen how social media can impact our kids, from worsening mental health to exposure to harmful content online. I believe it’s the state’s responsibility to hold Big Tech and AI practices accountable, so young people are protected while using social media platforms.
As Assemblymember, I will focus on regulating predatory social media practices by pursuing bans on harmful algorithms that push extreme or addictive content to minors, implementing transparency and independent audits of platforms’ impacts on youth mental health, and seeking funding for digital literacy programs in schools so young people can navigate online spaces safely. My priority will be protecting our kids while respecting their ability to access information and safeguarding their constitutional right to free expression.
Artificial intelligence has become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Yet public concerns remain that there aren’t enough regulations governing when or how AI should be used, and that the technology would replace jobs and leave too many Californians unemployed. How specifically would you balance such concerns with the desire to foster innovation and have California remain a leader in this space? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I believe California can lead in innovation while also protecting our communities and the jobs that support families. I will work to implement strong guardrails by requiring transparency and oversight in how AI is used, protecting Californians’ data and privacy, and ensuring these systems don’t reinforce bias or discrimination against marginalized and working-class communities.
I am also focused on protecting workers and expanding opportunity by strengthening the right to organize, defending collective bargaining, opposing outsourcing and union-busting tactics, and regulating how corporations deploy AI and automation, so they can’t put profits over their workers.
As Assemblymember, I will focus on building partnerships with labor and on bringing sustainable investments to job training, public education, and workforce development so workers can access good-paying union careers as technologyevolves. Additionally, I will work with universities and nonprofits to ensure AI is not replacing jobs and when used, improves health care, education, infrastructure, and services outcomes for workers, students and community members.
Statistically, violent crime rates in California is on the decline, but still, residents are not feeling safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in the state legislature in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
As Assemblymember, I will focus investments on effective community-based safety solutions like violence prevention programs, restorative justice, and trusted local organizations that provide proportionate and appropriate responses to crime, mental health crises, or other community safety issues.
In communities like mine, we’ve seen how decades without community investment––underfunded schools, unaffordable housing, lack of health care, limited economic opportunity, lack of accessible and safe green spaces––create conditions where people struggle to survive. That’s why I am focused on rooting out the causes of harm, not just the symptoms. When we invest in our communities, public safety outcomes improve.
My platform is grounded in tackling the high cost of living, funding education, expanding youth programs, creating a clean and healthy environment, and investing in comprehensive health care, so communities have resources and tools they need to maintain safety and ensure all are cared for.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I’m a classically trained pianist – started lessons at 7 years old and have played in numerous recitals and performances. Investing in the arts, especially for underserved communities, is of paramount importance to me.