California State Senate District 32 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in California, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for California State Senate District 32 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for California State Senate District 32

Kelly Seyarto defeated Brian Nash in the general election for California State Senate District 32 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kelly Seyarto (R)	62.0	184,086
		Brian Nash (D)	38.0	112,763

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 296,849
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Brian Nash (D)

I will help alleviate our traffic nightmares, giving you time back to spend with the people and causes most important to you. I believe my opponent and his buddies around the district did a great job luring business in. Infrastructure for the area, however is a complete afterthought. We all struggle with long commutes, and with high gas prices, this makes the pain doubly problematic. We can do better, and I will help.

I will stand up and fight for you. Those of you too busy to engage in politics. I see you. I want to help alleviate the stresses that make it hard to engage with life, let alone the electoral process. Health care, wages that don't keep up with inflation, the housing crisis. I have been in your shoes, and I want to help you get your heads above water.

I will help make our community the place where the best employers and educators want to be. Now is a great opportunity to make change, and set ourselves and the next generation up with a successful roadmap for the future. I will be open to new ideas, new thoughts, and new ways to live and work that support this community being the pacesetter for the state in legislation that supports both retirees and a solid future for our children.. Change can be scary, but with competent leadership, we can all move out of this rut we seem to be stuck in, and all live more exceptional lives.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Brian Nash (D)

1) Education. As the chid of a teacher and principal, I know how important a good education is for people to be able to get where they want to go in life. I will vehmently advocate for both better funding for educators, and more options for our learners. I believe that people can find amazing careers through various channels, and I will work to make them more accessible and affordable for all. Retraining programs are also vital. As a kid that grew up near Flint, Michigan, I know firsthand how difficult life can be when jobs leave town. I want to assure that those issues never happen in the 32nd District.

2) Housing. One of the perks of a solid education and work background has historically been the ability to buy your own home. I want to lean on experts in the field to develop housing solutions that can lift up those that are struggling to make ends meet, but would have normally been able to achieve this piece of the American dream. Furthermore, I want to help uncover and implement creative solutions to help reduce the epidemic of unhoused people across our region. Everyone that wants a roof over their head should have access to one.

3) Health Care. Just because health care has been traditionally been tied to employers, doesn't mean that it is a good idea. I want to offer better coverage at a lower cost by cutting out the middle man. Employers need to compete on the merits of their leadership. Helthcare should not be a benefit that covers for employee abuse.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Brian Nash (D)

I don't get too caught up in hero worship or role models. I believe that people are complex, and that I can admire specific qualities about people while understanding that they are imperfect. That said, here are a few people I look to for guidance in parts of my life.

Joe Strummer - As the singer of The Clash, I find the willingness to speak out against injustice and unfairness to be unbelievably inspiring. There are a world of quotes from him that I find wisdom in, but the most compelling is "Punk rock is exemplary manners to your fellow human beings"

Greg Graffin - As the singer of Bad Religion, I greatly appreciate his ability to weave complex, but really important topics into catchy two-minute songs. "Los Angeles Is Burning" is a great example, but I'll forever turn to "You Are the Government" as my go-to "I can make a difference" song.

Bill Laimbeer - I know, if you're reading this, you're probably in the greater Los Angeles area, and you almost certainly hate Laimbeer. Let me give a different perspective. As a lifelong Detroit Pistons fan, there was no one more willing to do whatever was needed to help their team win. He was a master of knocking someone off their game before the game even started. He was the best teammate the Piston players could have asked for. I see my role in the Democratic Party similarly. I'm not here to play nice, and if you're a Republican that supports that current dumpster fire of a party, I look forward to your hate. I'm not here to make Kelly Seyarto comfortable. I can and will exploit each and every one of his many weaknesses repeatedly.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Brian Nash (D)

No. I honestly hate this question. I'm not going to refer someone to some random media to get a feeling for who I am or what I am about. I'm not that egotistical. Just ask me. If I ever get too busy to talk to people, I've completely failed at my job.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Brian Nash (D)

Kindness without being a doormat.

Leading without fear, and speaking when others are afraid. Looking out for the best interest of all constiutents, regardless of party support.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Brian Nash (D)

I am a logical and thoughtful decision maker. I rely on data before emotion. I believe that people and the solutions they need are complex. I am bold, and I stand up to bullying. I don't take no for an answer without considering all angles to 'Yes'. I enjoy solving complex problems, and getting to know people who are empassioned to solve them with me. I am a quick learner, and embrace challenge. i don't give up easily, and wok extra hard when i know others are relying on me. I believe political office is a service job in which I work for you, not the other way around. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve my community and country in this manner, should you give me the oppotunity to do so!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Brian Nash (D)

To represent the people of my district.

To make their lives a little bit easier every day. To fight for their values, and build a better future for all.

To never stay silent on issues of oppression.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Brian Nash (D)

I care about leaving this world in a better place than how I found it. What drives me is the goal of a kinder, safer, fairer world. One where all of us have an opportunity to be our best selves, and no one is left behind.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Brian Nash (D)

The Challenger explosion was one of the first I remember. I had just turned 6, and like many people my age, had an opportunity to see the launch on TV. I don't recall my reaction to it at the time, but it didn't deter my early desire to be an astronaut.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Brian Nash (D)

My first job was doing janitorial work for my Grandpa's trucking company. This meant that I was responsible for cleaning toilets, cleaning grease and grime off floors, and trying to make a very dirty workplace just a little bit cleaner. I hated that job. However, I'm grateful for it because it really showed me just how difficult and unpleasant work can be. More importantly, it taught me to be respectful in nearly everything I do. I believe my goal in life is to make people's lives easier, and to try and leave things better than how I found them.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Brian Nash (D)

Optimus Prime. I grew up watching Transformers, and love them to this day (not the Michael Bay stuff, though I love that it has kept the line alive). I lved how tough, wise, strong, brave and kind Optimus Prime was. He was the quintessential leader, someone that you knew you could trust to do the right thing each and every time. I'm freaking 42, and I STILL want to be the leader Optiumus Prime is.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Brian Nash (D)

I just heard the newest Interrupters song, In The Mirror. LOVE IT!

I LOVE punk, I love ska, and I could talk for hours about the genres. I'll just mention a few other favorite bands:

The Clash Dead Kennedys Operation Ivy Rancid Green Day Bad Religion Social Distortion Rise Against Against Me! The Suicide Machines Frank Turner Dollar Signs NOFX Teenage Bottlerocket

Tim Armstrong

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Brian Nash (D)

20 years ago, I thought about suicide nearly every day for nearly two years.

I grew up in a family where a solid career and earning potential was not just a hope or a dream, but a daily expectation. I was one of those "gifted" kids, and it was a burden I will always bear.

I spent much of my time in high school on a variety of volunteer projects, working with a local veterinarian, with my mom’s school, and never really took the time to decide what to do with my career. I chose to start a path in veterinary medicine. I love animals, enjoyed my volunteer work, and wanted to make a difference in the world. It seemed to make sense. As I started college, it became VERY obvious to me that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I struggled to focus in school, and eventually dropped out, much to the chagrin of my parents.

I spent the better part of two years in a serious funk. I grew up always being busy, and yet I couldn’t figure out what I wanted. Many nights I considered suicide. Fortunately, I never made an attempt. (BTW, there are MANY resources out there for those that are struggling. Call 800-273-8255 if you, or someone you know is struggling.).

What got me through it was a combination of a few things. The first was finding a job at a REALLY poorly regarded retailer, who often took advantage of their employees, forcing them to work off the clock, etc. That gave me a very first hand look at how awful some employers treated their most precious resource. The second was meeting my wife. While I met Nancy at a point where I was generally better, she was, and is a shining light, an inspiration to me every single day. I am beyond fortunate to have her in my life, and her guidance will make sure that I am reflecting both of our values as we help to move District 32 forward.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Brian Nash (D)

I would prefer that both were able to work together to deliver creative, significant, positive change for citizens. The historical context of checks and balances SHOULD assure that the best ideas get through, but I fear that partisanship has really wrecked a lot of the ability to get the job done.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Brian Nash (D)

Housing and climate change. We are at a tipping point for both, and frankly, both are amazing opportunities for job growth. I fully embrace anything that effectively addresses these two issues, and will be open to any thoroughly vetted ideas.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Brian Nash (D)

The benefit of a unicameral legislature is that it could move bills along more quickly. This is also the downside, as there is a removal of potential checks and balances in the process.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Brian Nash (D)

Honestly no. The longer someone gets entrenched in something, the less likely they are to understand issues at the constituent level. It's SO easy to get caught up in donor meetings, and echo chambers, that it becomes hard to understand what's really going on. I appreciate that CA has some reasonable term limits for our legislature. Fresh blood keeps things lively.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Brian Nash (D)

In short, yes. I am currently working alongside other canditates inside and outside my immediate district on issues that are important to the great interconnected community we serve. Issues like housing, healthcare, and education need legislatures at different levels of government all pulling their weight to create solutions that are equitable for all. That said, I'm not tolerant of legislators who have become corrupt and seek to pursue paths to their own wealth or self-promotion, and I will never compromise my morals and values to bend to the will of the corrupt. Furthermore, I will be a whistleblower to any corruption I encounter and promote the removal of corrupted legislators.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Brian Nash (D)

I would definitely like to see a non-partisan redistricing take place. This, like housing and healthcare, redistricting is a complex, multi-sided problem that cannot be easily resolved in a single brush stroke. I do not believe that politicians should have a say in redistricting. Voters deserve to see evidence that their community is being fairly represented and transparency in redistricting decisions. I would support a system closer to the tool created by Nate Persily of Columbia Law School. which aims to show how districts can be drawn in a non-partisan, legally defensible manner. A product of the Stanford Redistricting Project, the Draw Congress website (drawcongress.org) provides access to student-drawn redistricting plans inspired by traditional principles of redistricting (e.g. good government, proportional representation, max competition, community of interest, least change, etc.). The website includes a map of the United States with links to each state’s redistricting plans developed by students. The plans reveal the author and indicate the redistricting principles that he/she prioritized in the development of the map, along with a plan description, detailed data, images and resources used to create the plan.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Brian Nash (D)

I'm open to be a part of any committes that could use my insight, and are willing to put in the work to get things done, consistently and efficiently. I'm not interested in joining any particular committees for it's own sake. I simply want to get work done.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Brian Nash (D)

N/A

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Brian Nash (D)

There's a lot to like about Elizabeth Warren. I respect that she has made her life's work fighting for big structural change that would transform our economy and rebuild the middle class. that would transform our economy and rebuild the middle class. Her ideas are bold, and she works with other legislators in producive way to get them into actual policies to benefit people. She helped pass legislation to double federal funding for child care, make hearing aids available over the counter, reduce out-of-pocket costs for high school students enrolled in career and technical education programs, and put over $6 billion dollars in federal funding towards the fight against the opioid epidemic. She also used her platform to hold some of the nation’s largest corporations and most powerful government agencies accountable for fraud, waste, and abuse. When I was younger, I really looked up to John McCain. While I didn't agree with his politics as I got older, I have always seen him as a man of honor and integrity, traits that is powerful and relevant in our modern political discourse.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Brian Nash (D)

Maybe. I couldn't possibly care less about the power aspects of running for office. What has driven me to run today is my desire to help eliminate an ongoing coup attempt by the Republican Party. If that threat is removed, I may take my leave and hopefully have mentored other candidates that can then rise up and take their rightful place in politics.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Brian Nash (D)

I absolutely loved Norm MacDonald. He was totally fearless, and one of the greatest comics I have ever been fortunate enough to see live. There is no world in which text can do his "Moth Joke" justice, so I'll simply let him tell the joke, via the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-MJy7w69EU

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Brian Nash (D)

It depends. Under normal circumstances, I believe that having a variety of viewpoints makes a discussion and resulting decisions and policies stronger. I am a person who believes in considering all sides of an equation. However, I'm not tolerant of complete dismisal of proper discorse and violation of the law to suit selfishness or self-righteous people who consider themselves to be above the laws that the rest of us live by. I'm running because I cannot compromise on the factors that led to the January 6th Insurrection. Everyone that participated in that event deserves to be punished to the fullest extent the law will allow.

See also

More about these elections:

• California State Senate elections, 2022

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