Assembly District 34 candidates make their case to voters ahead of June primaries

Added: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]In communities like California City and Mojave, voters are getting ready to choose their next representative in Sacramento. I'm Ruby Rivera, your neighborhood reporter, sitting down with two of the four candidates for Assembly District 34 and speaking to them about their goals, priorities, and what they say sets them apart in the race. In the race for Assembly District 34, meet Democrat Randall Putts and Republican Steve Fox. Two contenders with vastly different visions battling for a seat that spans Kerna, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties, right through our desert communities of Mojave and California City. The other candidates, Republicans Charles Hughes and Manny Lynn, stayed silent despite multiple requests for interviews.

[00:00:51]>> When it comes to rural districts, especially in California, were often uh overlooked and underserved.

[00:00:58]And so uh there is an opportunity uh for us to get more attention and resource.

[00:01:05]Candidate Randall Putts has been serving as an elected official for 18 years, currently serving as the mayor of Big Bear Lake. Starting his campaign almost a year ago, Put says he spent his time meeting voters where they're at, traveling into communities to discuss what issues locals are experiencing.

[00:01:25]>> From what I've gathered being out in the district, affordability is a huge part of that. Beyond that is uh access to things. uh access to health care, um access to good paying jobs.

[00:01:40]>> But unlike Putts, Republican Steve Fox says his experience comes from already serving in Sacramento. Fox, an attorney and former assembly member for California's 36th district, says his background gives him a deeper understanding of how state government works and how to deliver results for communities across the high desert. I've taken a lot of time when I was in the assembly last time to read through the budget, which a lot of people just don't do. I read of the 2400 votes I did, I read every piece of legislation before I marked down how I wanted to vote.

[00:02:15]>> If elected, Fox says he wants to use that experience to push for more oversight and ensure taxpayer dollars are being properly spent in communities across the district.

[00:02:27]>> And things should be affordable to you and that's the number one goal.

[00:02:31]you know, bring back our poor. We're the poor stepchild of our hurdle district.

[00:02:35]We don't get the taxes we put in. We don't seem to get back. I want to get those back like I did before and cut your taxes.

[00:02:42]>> The June 2nd primaries are right around the corner. The two candidates with the most votes will then advance to the November general elections. For 23 ABC News in Mojave, I'm Ruby Rivera, your Deleno neighborhood reporter.