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Andre Sandford
Andre Sandford (American Independent Party of California) ran for election to the California State Assembly to represent District 18. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Sandford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Andre Sandford was born in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree in 2014 and a graduate degree in 2018 from Jacksonville State University. His career experience includes working as a program manager. Sandford has been affiliated with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: California State Assembly elections, 2024
General election
General election for California State Assembly District 18
Incumbent Mia Bonta defeated Andre Sandford in the general election for California State Assembly District 18 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mia Bonta (D) | 80.3 | 134,073 |
 | Andre Sandford (American Independent Party of California)  | 19.7 | 32,983 | |
| Total votes: 167,056 | |||
| = 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 California State Assembly District 18
Incumbent Mia Bonta and Andre Sandford defeated Mindy Pechenuk and Cheyenne Kenney in the primary for California State Assembly District 18 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mia Bonta (D) | 84.9 | 73,155 |
| ✔ | | Andre Sandford (American Independent Party of California) | 5.3 | 4,582 |
 | Mindy Pechenuk (R) | 5.1 | 4,397 | |
 | Cheyenne Kenney (R) | 4.7 | 4,012 | |
| Total votes: 86,146 | |||
| = 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 finance
Endorsements
Sandford received the following endorsements.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andre Sandford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sandford's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- I am committed to making District 18 a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. Through my experience in public service, I will address public safety issues. California leads the nation with a crime rate of 24% higher than the national average. According to the PPIC, "California's Violent crime rate is Diverging from the National Trend, due mainly to a 25% increase in aggravated assaults from 2019 to 2022. Once elected, I will restore and increase funding for policing and ensure officers have all the tools and training they need to protect Californian citizens.
- As an advocate for small business owners in District 18, I aim to address the decrease in revenue caused by theft and increased crime. If elected, I will push for a State of Emergency for Oakland to provide low-interest loans and tax relief, establish a revolving loan program, and propose an Assembly Bill to reduce payroll taxes. Additionally, I will oppose CA ACA 13 and fight for the Taxpayer Protection Act. Furthermore, I am committed to placing a bill for reparations for the descendants of the United States of America slave trade on my first day in office.
- Affordable housing is a fundamental human right. That's why, as an assembly member, I will champion the cause by working on Assembly bills to fund 1% to 2% permanent housing down payment assistance and give cities the power to allocate affordable housing. I also plan to reduce building permits for single-family homes and tax corporations that buy homes. Furthermore, I propose an Anti-Trust Act Expansion to ensure that 80% of homes are reserved for families and impose a cap on building permit fees in California. Let's make housing a reality for middle-class families across the state.
Ethical, adhering to high moral standards and avoiding conflicts of interest.
- Serve as a strong advocate for the needs and interests of the people you represent.
- Bridge the gap between the community and government agencies.
- Listen attentively to and address the concerns raised by residents.
2. Shape policies and laws that directly impact the community:
- Vote on legislation that will have a direct impact on the well-being of the community.
- Contribute to developing laws and policies that reflect the needs of the people.
- Ensure the effective implementation of government programs that benefit the community.
3. Manage public funds with responsibility and efficiency:
- Approval and manage public funds for the community's prosperity.
- Ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and efficiently.
- Make informed decisions about allocating resources for maximum benefit to the community.
4. Hold government agencies accountable and ensure transparency:
- Ensure that government agencies are held accountable for their actions.
- Conduct necessary investigations and hearings to maintain transparency and ethical conduct in government.
5. Engage with the community and foster unity:
- Build strong relationships with community organizations and stakeholders.- Foster a sense of unity and belonging within the community by actively engaging with its members.
- Participate actively in local events and activities to connect with the community.
1. Effective Communication: Open and honest dialogue is pivotal for comprehending each other's priorities and finding common ground.
2. Mutual Respect: Both branches should honor the roles and responsibilities of the other, sidestepping excessive partisanship or gridlock.
3. Collaboration: The governor and legislature should join forces to design and implement policies that cater to the needs of the state’s citizens.
4. Checks and Balances: Both branches should uphold a system of checks and balances to prevent either one from becoming too dominant.
Public Safety
Rising Crime Rates: California has seen an increase in certain types of crime, such as property crimes and violent crimes. This has led to concerns about safety and security in communities across the state.
Homelessness Crisis: The homelessness crisis in California has reached unprecedented levels, contributing to public safety concerns and straining resources.
Gun Violence: Gun violence remains a significant issue in California, with mass shootings and other gun-related incidents occurring with tragic regularity.
Economic Development
Housing Affordability: The high cost of housing in California has become a major barrier to economic growth, as many individuals and families struggle to afford a place to live.
Income Inequality: The gap between the rich and poor in California continues to widen, leading to social and economic instability.
Job Loss and Automation: The increasing automation of jobs and economic uncertainty pose significant challenges to California's workforce and economy.
These two issues are interconnected and have far-reaching implications for California's future. Addressing public safety concerns is essential for creating a safe and prosperous state, while economic development is crucial for providing opportunities and improving the quality of life for all Californians.
A strong leader, regardless of their background, has the power to:
- Inspire and Unite: Effective leaders can inspire and unite people from diverse backgrounds to work towards common goals.
- Problem-Solve: They possess the ability to identify and address complex issues, even without prior government experience.
- Represent Constituents: A good leader can effectively represent their constituents' interests, irrespective of political affiliation or experience.
- Learn Quickly: Those with a strong aptitude for learning can rapidly grasp the intricacies of government and policy.
- Foster Innovation: Leaders who are open to new ideas and willing to take risks can drive innovation and progress.
- I will champion the adept and judicious handling of public funds to drive the community's prosperity.
- Ensure the conscientious and efficient utilization of taxpayer dollars.
- Make astute decisions when allocating resources for optimal community benefit.
Hold government agencies accountable and ensure transparency:
- I will demand unwavering accountability from government agencies for their actions.
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.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate California State Assembly District 18 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 3, 2024
