Kristina Duggan
Kristina Duggan is a member of the Long Beach City Council in California, representing District 3. She assumed office on December 20, 2022. Her current term ends on December 15, 2026.
Duggan is running for re-election to the Long Beach City Council to represent District 3 in California. She is on the ballot in the primary on June 2, 2026.[source]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in Long Beach, California (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Nonpartisan primary
Nonpartisan primary election for Long Beach City Council District 3
Incumbent Kristina Duggan (Nonpartisan), Brian Cochrane (Nonpartisan), Rebecca Hinderer (Nonpartisan), and Ronald Sampson (Nonpartisan) are running in the primary for Long Beach City Council District 3 on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Kristina Duggan (Nonpartisan) | |
| Brian Cochrane (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Rebecca Hinderer (Nonpartisan) | |
| Ronald Sampson (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2022
See also: City elections in Long Beach, California (2022)
General election
General election for Long Beach City Council District 3
Kristina Duggan defeated Kailee Caruso in the general election for Long Beach City Council District 3 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kristina Duggan (Nonpartisan) | 55.7 | 10,798 |
 | Kailee Caruso (Nonpartisan) | 44.3 | 8,596 | |
| Total votes: 19,394 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Long Beach City Council District 3
The following candidates ran in the primary for Long Beach City Council District 3 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kristina Duggan (Nonpartisan) | 22.4 | 3,051 |
| ✔ | | Kailee Caruso (Nonpartisan) | 20.4 | 2,773 |
| Nima J. Novin (Nonpartisan) | 19.7 | 2,686 | ||
| Greg Magnuson (Nonpartisan) | 16.5 | 2,249 | ||
| Mark Guillen (Nonpartisan) | 12.2 | 1,665 | ||
| Deborah Castro (Nonpartisan) | 8.8 | 1,196 | ||
| Total votes: 13,620 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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Campaign website
Duggan's campaign website stated the following:
Kristina's Priorities
Top Priorities
Improving Public Safety
From day one, I’ve focused on rebuilding our police department, holding people accountable for crimes that harm our community, and giving the City better tools to keep neighborhoods safe. Public Safety is my top priority.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Hiring more police officers to reduce response times and increase proactive community patrols
- Implementing the new accountability tools from Proposition 36, our new District Attorney, and other reforms to hold repeat offenders accountable
- Improving how the City responds to dangerous situations, including mental health crises and serious traffic safety violations like DUIs, speeding, distracted driving, and running red lights
- Preventing crime before it happens by improving lighting and security, addressing problem locations, and keeping public spaces clean, active, and well-maintained.
Highlights
- Graduated four police academies, with a fifth underway that is the largest class in city history
- Approved officer recruiting incentives ranging from $54,000 to $78,000
- Led local support for Proposition 36 to restore consequences for repeat theft and dangerous drug possession
- Authored a Report on Proposed Legislation Related to Retail Theft, Drug Use, and “Smash and Grab” Crimes requesting the City take positions on state legislation
- Authored the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces item to establish time, place, and manner parameters for homeless encampments
- Authored Improving the City’s Response to Threatening and Unsafe Behavior directing the City to document response protocols and develop clearer intervention standards
- Launched the Lights, Camera, No Action rebate program reimbursing 70 locations for publicly facing exterior lighting and security cameras for under $10,000
- Renovated and reopened Fire Station #14 and restored and expanded ASL Paramedic Units
The Approach Behind the Work
Improving safety in our neighborhoods is my top priority. We can build new parks, playgrounds, and programs, but those investments only matter if residents feel safe using them.
Hiring More Police Officers
When I was first elected, hiring more police officers was the top priority, and it still is. I helped approve incentive packages for recruits between $54,000 and $78,000, and supported expanding academy classes to help the department catch up on staffing. Since 2023, we have graduated four police academies, with a fifth underway that is the largest class in city history. Rebuilding our department is essential to reducing response times, strengthening neighborhood patrols, and increasing specialized details like traffic safety enforcement and quality of life officers.
A Balanced Approach: Compassion and Accountability
It was also clear that the lack of enforcement for basic rules escalated during the COVID era, and it is no longer sustainable. Residents are frustrated, and our communities are feeling the impact. I believe in helping those who need it, but I also believe there must be consequences for actions that affect others.
That belief guided my work to restore balance in how our city approaches safety and enforcement.
Addressing Encampments and Unsafe Behavior
One of the first steps was restarting citations for problematic encampments and people sleeping in vehicles when help was repeatedly refused. This gave the City tools to address safety concerns related to encampments while encouraging more people to accept services and move toward stability.
I also authored an item directing the City to explore options to improve its response to people displaying threatening or unsafe behavior, recognizing that this was a gap in our response that needed to be addressed to keep both residents and city workers safe.
Through this work, it became clear that our police officers also needed better tools at the state level. Too often, they were forced to cite and release repeat offenders for drug and theft-related crimes because of weakened laws. That is why I helped build local support for Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft Reduction Act, to restore accountability for repeat theft and drug offenses and give law enforcement the ability to intervene earlier.
At the same time, I have pressed City departments to enforce everyday quality of life rules again. This helps address the small number of bad actors who disrupt neighborhoods, so the standards most residents already follow are applied fairly and consistently.
Crime Prevention Measures
Public safety is not only about response. It is also about prevention.
To help residents strengthen their own blocks, I launched the Lights, Camera, No Action rebate program. The program reimbursed 70 locations for installing publicly facing exterior lighting and security cameras, all for under $10,000 total. These simple, cost-effective improvements deter crime, increase visibility, and help neighbors feel safer in their own communities.
At the same time, I have continued pressing City departments to enforce everyday standards fairly and consistently, like short-term rental rules, code enforcement, business license requirements and health code regulations, so that our neighborhoods reflect the standards residents expect and deserve.
Investing in our Fire Department and Lifeguards
Police are only one part of our emergency response system. We also renovated and reopened Fire Station #14 to allow firefighters to continue serving District 3 for years to come. I also supported restoring and expanding ASL Paramedic Units to improve accessibility and emergency response capacity.
In addition, we secured new contracts with our firefighters and lifeguards to strengthen workforce stability and improve retention, recognizing their essential role in protecting our community.
Moving Forward
Going forward, I will continue being a strong voice for residents who expect safety and accountability from their city. I will keep standing up for neighborhoods that want compassion for those who need help and consequences for those who continue to harm our communities.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Hiring more police officers to reduce response times and increase proactive community patrols
- Implementing the new accountability tools from Proposition 36, our new District Attorney, and other reforms to hold repeat offenders accountable
- Improving how the City responds to dangerous situations, including mental health crises and serious traffic safety violations like DUIs, speeding, distracted driving, and running red lights
- Preventing crime before it happens by improving lighting and security, addressing problem locations, and keeping public spaces clean, active, and well-maintained.
Reducing Homelessness
Homelessness isn’t one-size-fits-all. People’s situations vary from students sleeping in their cars to career criminals who are choosing the lifestyle. Real progress requires both compassion and accountability. I have provided that balance by building housing of all affordability levels, expanding treatment and services, and pushing to hold people accountable to use them.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Getting people off our streets and into dignified shelter and permanent housing, turning approved projects into real homes
- Expanding treatment and support options while setting clear expectations for behavior in public spaces
- Addressing encampments and problem locations to keep sidewalks, parks, and public spaces accessible for everyone
Highlights
- Supported the City’s 2023 Homeless Emergency Declaration to improve coordination and stabilize the crisis
- Expanded supportive outreach teams in District 3 to strengthen neighborhood-level engagement
- Helped bring 50 new recuperative care beds to Long Beach through private partners
- Helped entitle more than 1,800 new housing units in District 3, including over 100 affordable units
- Supported the inclusionary housing ordinance to move projects closer to meeting state-mandated affordable housing targets
- Pushed the City to approach homelessness with compassion and accountability
The Approach Behind the Work
Homelessness ranges from families living in their cars to career criminals who have made homelessness a lifestyle. Treating everyone the same way will never solve the problem. Real progress requires compassion for those who want help and accountability for those who continue to harm others.
Stabilizing the Growing Crisis
When I took office, it was clear that our system was not equipped to handle the 63% spike in homelessness that occurred during the COVID pandemic. In 2023, I supported the City's homeless emergency declaration to confront that reality head-on. The emergency was about improving coordination. We needed to align departments, expand outreach, and respond faster to this crisis.
Since then, I have worked to build a more connected and consistent approach to outreach. In District 3, we expanded supportive outreach teams made up of trained professionals who know our neighborhoods and can build relationships with people living outdoors. When people are not connected to services, situations often become more unstable because their basic needs are not being met, like eating, access to water, or access to a restroom. These teams are helping close that gap every day.
Filling the Gaps in Services and Treatment
Through many ride alongs with Outreach and Quality of Life, I found that waiting to build permanent housing for everyone will not work. Our outreach teams had little to offer in most engagements beyond referrals to overburdened programs or waitlists that did not lead anywhere. People do not disappear, and we need places for them to sleep that are not our sidewalks, parks, and beaches.
That philosophy guided my work with private partners to bring 50 new recuperative care beds to Long Beach, providing options for people with medical issues ready to take their first step off the street.
On housing, I helped entitle more than 1,800 new units in District 3, including the first affordable housing project ever approved in the district, while fighting for improvements to limit the impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
I also supported inclusionary housing coordination to move new projects closer to meeting our state mandated affordable housing targets and reflect local needs.
People are homeless for a variety of reasons, and our approach to these unique situations needs to vary. I will continue working to expand services and treatment while advancing policies that require people to use them.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Getting people off our streets and into dignified shelter and permanent housing, turning approved projects into real homes
- Expanding treatment and support options while setting clear expectations for behavior in public spaces
- Addressing encampments and problem locations to keep sidewalks, parks, and public spaces accessible for everyone
Strengthening Infrastructure
Long Beach underfunded its infrastructure for years, and with shrinking oil revenue, I’ve focused on advancing projects and pushing long-delayed work like Studebaker Road, the 10th Street Greenbelt, and key Tidelands improvements back on track. I invested office savings into curb and sidewalk repairs, leveraged ADA funds to expand accessibility, and pressed to make traffic safety a citywide priority.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Improving project management so infrastructure projects stay on schedule and within budget
- Improving the community engagement process for our capital projects so residents can provide meaningful input
- Investing in core infrastructure like streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, and sewers to prevent costly failures
- Bringing in outside funding to stretch local dollars and move more capital projects forward
Highlights
- Fought for community voices to be heard in major infrastructure projects and pushed for more frequent communication during construction, including the Open Channel Project
- Completed infrastructure projects including the Bay Shore Library, Junior Lifeguard Facility, Fire Station #14, and improvements along Ximeno Avenue and Appian Way
- Advanced long-delayed projects now moving forward, including Studebaker Road, the 10th Street Greenbelt, Anaheim Street, Belmont Pool, and the Davies Bridge
- Invested over $65,000 in curb and sidewalk repairs using office salary savings and leveraged ADA funding to expand sidewalk repairs to improve accessibility
- Regularly engaged with the Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, and Coastal Conservancy to move coastal projects forward
- Built partnerships with the Port of Long Beach and The Ocean Cleanup to bring in outside resources
- Led Keep Long Beach Oil Revenue Local to update an outdated oil contract that leaves the City with only 8.5 percent of its own revenue
The Approach Behind the Work
Investing in Infrastructure As A Priority
Long Beach spent too long underfunding its infrastructure, and now we are playing catch-up. At the same time, the phase out of oil revenue has been accelerated, cutting a major source of funding for District 3 projects. Even with these challenges, I have made it a priority to keep projects moving.
Investing in the Basics: Curbs and Sidewalks
We started with the basics. Using office savings, I invested over $65,000 in curb and sidewalk repairs, focusing on areas that could be added to existing work to make dollars go further. I also worked with the City's Accessibility Coordinator to use ADA funding to repair more sidewalks and improve accessibility throughout District 3.
Larger projects that sat on paper for years are now finally moving. Studebaker Road, the 10th Street Greenbelt, Anaheim Street, Belmont Pool, and the Davies Bridge are all moving forward after years of delay, bringing long-promised improvements to residents. We have also delivered completed projects like the Bay Shore Library, Junior Lifeguard Facility, Fire Station #14, and improvements along Ximeno Avenue and Appian Way.
Advocating for Our Capital Projects
Moving infrastructure projects forward takes strategy and persistence. Coastal projects require an even more hands-on approach. A single permitting delay can add years to a timeline, so I stay closely involved to keep work moving. I attend Coastal Commission meetings and work directly with the State Lands Commission and the Coastal Conservancy to move these projects forward and prevent unnecessary delays.
I have also built partnerships with the Port of Long Beach and The Ocean Cleanup to bring in outside resources, and I have led Keep Long Beach Oil Revenue Local, an effort to update a decades-old oil contract that leaves the City with only 8.5 percent of its own revenue. Protecting that revenue is key to maintaining and improving our coastal infrastructure.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Improving project management so infrastructure projects stay on schedule and within budget
- Improving the community engagement process for our capital projects so residents can provide meaningful input
- Investing in core infrastructure like streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, and sewers to prevent costly failures
- Bringing in outside funding to stretch local dollars and move more capital projects forward
Practicing Fiscal Responsibility
Long Beach is becoming more expensive, and the City must do its part to keep costs down. I have opposed policies that raise prices for families and pushed City Hall to use existing tax dollars more responsibly because when we spend wisely, we can do more with the resources we already have. I secured key financial audits and launched the Keep Long Beach Oil Revenue Local effort to make sure our city receives its fair share of oil revenue produced here. As revenues decline and costs rise, we must confront our structural budget deficit directly and make responsible adjustments now, not later. My focus is on protecting taxpayers, keeping daily life affordable, fixing our budget deficit, and strengthening the City’s long-term financial position.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Keeping everyday costs down by avoiding policies that make life more expensive for families.
- Addressing the City’s structural budget deficit through responsible spending, long-term planning, and careful prioritization.
- Protecting Long Beach’s financial future as oil revenues decline while avoiding new taxes on residents.
- Continuing independent audits and financial oversight to promote transparency and accountability
Highlights
- Opposed proposals to increase Long Beach’s sales tax, which would raise the cost of everyday purchases for residents and local businesses
- Secured a financial analysis on the economic impacts to Long Beach associated with California’s transition away from crude oil and natural gas production
- Secured an audit of the Tidelands Fund to strengthen oversight of funds that support Long Beach’s coastline and coastal services
- Launched the Keep Long Beach Oil Revenue Local effort to advocate for Long Beach receiving its fair share of oil revenue produced in our city
- Opposed proposals to significantly increase the Mayor and City Council office budgets while the City faces a structural deficit
The Approach Behind the Work
Protecting Taxpayers and Strengthening City Finances
Long Beach is becoming more expensive, and the City must do its part to keep costs down. I have focused on protecting taxpayers by opposing policies that raise prices for families and pushing City Hall to use existing tax dollars more responsibly. When we spend wisely, we can do more with the resources we already have.
Long Beach is facing real financial challenges. The City currently faces a structural budget deficit estimated between $60 million and $80 million, meaning ongoing expenses are projected to exceed ongoing revenue. In recent years the City has closed these gaps using one-time dollars that were set aside for that purpose, but that approach cannot continue indefinitely.
These challenges are compounded by the long-term decline in oil production and the expected loss of oil revenue that has historically supported city services. Together, these trends mean the City must plan carefully, control spending, and make responsible financial decisions now to protect the services residents rely on.
That is why I have opposed proposals to increase the City’s sales tax, which would make everyday purchases more expensive for residents and raise operating costs for local businesses. Instead of increasing taxes, the City should focus on responsible budgeting, careful prioritization, and improving how public dollars are used.
Strengthening Oversight of Public Funds
Fiscal responsibility also requires strong oversight of how public funds are managed.
I secured two important audits to strengthen transparency and improve long-term planning. The first examined the economic impacts to the City of Long Beach associated with California’s anticipated transition away from crude oil and natural gas production. This analysis helps the City better understand how declining oil production and future well abandonment costs could affect Long Beach’s finances.
I also secured an audit of the Tidelands Fund, which supports critical coastal services such as lifeguards, beach maintenance, shoreline protection, and improvements along our waterfront. Strengthening oversight of these funds promotes transparency and helps protect one of Long Beach’s most important public assets.
Fiscal responsibility also means leading by example. I opposed proposals to significantly increase the Mayor and City Council office budgets at a time when the City faces a structural deficit and departments across the City are being asked to manage costs carefully.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Keeping everyday costs down by avoiding policies that make life more expensive and complicated for families.
- Addressing the City’s structural budget deficit through responsible spending, long-term planning, and careful prioritization.
- Protecting Long Beach’s financial future as oil revenues decline while avoiding new taxes on residents.
- Continuing independent audits and financial oversight to promote transparency and accountability.
— Kristina Duggan's campaign website (March 27, 2026)
2022
Kristina Duggan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Duggan's responses.
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Through my work as a City Council Staff Assistant, I developed a strong working knowledge of City Hall assisting residents with city services and cutting through bureaucracy. I can hit the ground running with effective representation and strong constituent services.
I have 30 years of experience running local small businesses and a B.A. Degree in Psychology from University of California, Riverside. I co-own and operate Dr. Duggan & Associates, a successful local psychological health center in Belmont Heights that provides services to various local families, children, and businesses.
Active in our community, I have served as President of the Lagoon Playgroup Cooperative Pre-School in Belmont Heights; Volunteer Coordinator for the Lowell Elementary School PTA; Board Member for the Long Beach Rowing Association; Treasurer of the Wilson Girls Aquatics Foundation; and have assisted the Friends of Belmont Shore with various activities.
- Without safety, our Quality of Life is diminished. With significant increases in violent crime and property crime, we need more resources and policies that hold criminals accountable. My priorities include increasing the number of police officers on the force. With 100 current, budgeted positions to be filled, we need to incentivize recruits for a larger field of applicants to join the Long Beach Police Department. We cannot attract businesses or maintain property values without making safety a core value. I will work with the LBPD to address the needs of our district.
- With the significant increase in homelessness over the past few years, we need to come up with both short term and long-term solutions for this tragic crisis. • We need an increased number of REACH teams assigned to specific areas in the city for consistent outreach to those who are homeless to build trust and a relationship that can help bridge the gaps that often prevent the unhoused from accepting either temporary or long term housing. • Assessment with a treatment plan is essential for those struggling with mental illness or substance abuse. A long-term plan is needed for the extended wellbeing of those moving off the street and into care. We need to continue to fill the housing gap with a plan for treatment and so
- I am best qualified to bring people together with solutions that make sense by convening stakeholders, redirecting existing funds to where they will matter most, and implementing a plan of action. I will take a balanced approach to these issues with specific actions and measurable results. I will work to re-establish priorities in our city focusing on critical issues such as crime and homelessness. We must redline the expenditures that are outdated, and that the city continues to sink money into. I will take into account the needs of the City and the 3rd District and go to constituents to ask what their priorities are. Measured and balanced decisions need to be made based on the voice of the people. I am running for office to serve
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Long Beach City Council District 3 |
Officeholder Long Beach City Council District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Susan Price |
Long Beach City Council District 3 2022-Present |
Succeeded by - |
