Two Republicans are running to represent California's 3rd Assembly District, which stretches from the Yuba-Sutter area north through Chico and Red Bluff.
Dom Belza and Jamie Johansson are competing to replace former Assemblymember James Gallagher, who was elected to Congress in June.
Both candidates want to bring down energy costs, reduce wildfire risk and protect the North State's water. But in interviews with NSPR, they focused on different ways to tackle those issues.
1. Wildfires: Moving faster vs. bringing in private industry
Both candidates want California to do more to prevent catastrophic wildfires. They support clearing vegetation that can fuel fires and say environmental regulations can slow down that work.
Johansson says the state needs to move faster on prevention projects and do a better job coordinating with federal and local agencies. He pointed to the Butte County Fire Safe Council, which he says waited years for state grant funding after the Camp Fire.
Belza wants private companies to play a bigger role. He pointed to cattle grazing and timber operations as ways to help manage forests and reduce wildfire risk.
2. Water: Protecting water rights vs. building reservoirs
Both candidates say protecting the North State's water is a priority.
Johansson focused on protecting the region's water rights. He says that means building relationships with lawmakers from other parts of California, especially Southern California.
Belza wants the state to build more reservoirs and cut regulations that delay construction. He pointed to the proposed Sites Reservoir in Glenn and Colusa counties as an example of how California could store more water during wet years.
3. Energy costs: Utility bills vs. gas prices
Both candidates say California's high cost of living is a major problem, and both blame state policies for driving up energy prices.
Johansson pointed to the cost of heating and cooling homes. Belza focused on high gas prices and what people are paying at the pump.
4. Sacramento: Existing relationships vs. finding common ground
Republicans are in the minority in California's Legislature. That means either candidate would need support from Democrats to pass legislation.
Johansson says his years advocating for agriculture have helped him build relationships with lawmakers across party lines. He says he already knows Democratic leaders in the Assembly.
Belza describes himself as a very conservative Republican but says he's willing to work with Democrats on issues where they agree.
5. Experience: Agriculture vs. local government
The candidates also bring different backgrounds to the race.
Johansson is a farmer, former Oroville city councilmember and former president of the California Farm Bureau. He points to his experience working with lawmakers in Sacramento as preparation for the job.
Belza served on the Marysville City Council and has the endorsement of Congressman Gallagher, who previously represented the district in the Assembly.
Listen to the full interviews
NSPR spoke with both candidates about wildfire prevention, water, affordability and what they'd prioritize in Sacramento.
- Jamie Johansson: Listen to the full interview
- Dom Belza: Listen to the full interview
NSPR's Claudia Brancart contributed reporting to this story.
