Abel Chavez

Immigration I believe we need to modernize our immigration system to give work visas to those ready to work and expedite legal pathways, fixing the backlogs, and reuniting families faster. People shouldn’t live in fear over a petty offense from years ago, or for simply showing up at a court hearing. Everyone deserves due process, and no one should be swept off the street or locked in a cage for seeking a better life. Guns Red Flag laws that allow temporary removal of firearms from individuals in crisis, with due process Guns Background checks for all gun purchases Defense / Veterans I support strengthening the VA Home Loan program, expanding housing vouchers, and improving case management so veterans can actually access stable housing. The recent VA Home Loan Program Reform Act – which passed with bipartisan support – is a good step forward, we need to make strides on other fronts to lower the price of housing I’ll also work to expand access to GI Bill benefits, job training programs, and ensure veterans have support navigating disability claims and VA bureaucracy. Our veterans should be able to transition into civilian life with dignity – whether that means enrolling in college, starting a business, or getting the medical care they need without endless loops. Infrastructure / Transportation I’ll partner with providers like Starlink to deliver fast, affordable internet to every corner of our district. I’m also going to support community Wi-Fi hubs, digital literacy training, and device access for families who need them most. Education I support implementing urgent school safety upgrades. Every classroom door should lock from the inside – not just by the teacher, but by anyone who needs to act in an emergency. Windows should be raised to at least nine feet, reducing vulnerability and buying precious time in a crisis. Abortion / Contraception Reproductive healthcare is a deeply personal issue and women deserve the right to make those decisions for themselves. My faith shapes my values, but I will never stand in the way of a woman’s right to choose. These decisions should be made in consultation with doctors and loved ones – not politicians. Access shouldn’t depend on your zip code or your income. I believe we should fund family planning services so everyone has the care and support they need to make informed decisions about their future. Housing Cities across the country make affordable housing illegal – not directly, but through zoning laws that require large lots, deep setbacks, and parking mandates that inflate land costs. We’ll work with local officials to reduce minimum lot sizes and support zoning reform that enables smaller, more affordable homes. Healthcare Medicare for All is a path forward. It simplifies a broken system, eliminates insurance red tape, and replaces premiums, deductibles, and copays with a more transparent and fair way to fund care – based on what people actually earn. It frees doctors to focus on patients, not paperwork. It gives families real freedom: the freedom to get the care they need, when they need it, without fear or delay. And it reminds all of us that good health shouldn’t be determined by a billing code or a balance sheet. Civil Rights I will advance federal policy that protects LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, expands access to care, and defends safety and equal opportunity – not just in principle, but in enforceable law. That starts with passing the Equality Act to establish clear, consistent non-discrimination protections nationwide across employment, housing, education, credit, public accommodations, and federally funded programs. Housing Corporate investors shouldn’t own entire zip codes. We’ll cap how many single-family homes any one entity can own and provide tax incentives for rent-to-own programs, so families can build equity instead of just paying rent. We’ll also expand the USDA’s Section 502 self-help housing program beyond rural areas, offering low-interest loans and support to families willing to build their own homes. Economy Remote work has reshaped our world. It reduces traffic, saves families money, and helps parents spend more time at home without sacrificing productivity. I’ll introduce smart incentives for businesses that embrace flexible work models—because what’s good for working families is good for our community. Economy I believe our economy grows strongest from the inside out. That’s why I’ll work directly with small and mid-sized business owners to identify companies with the potential to expand, and I’ll connect them with the tools and partnerships they need to reach beyond our district—and bring new wealth back home. Social Services I don’t defend a system that writes blank checks or funds programs that don’t work. But blowing up the architecture of U.S. diplomacy and development without a serious replacement is self-sabotage. Congress has an opportunity to rebuild this apparatus. Foreign Policy Oppose settlement expansion and land theft and treat it as the obstacle to peace that it is. The pattern is not new: decades of occupation and settlement growth keep turning each “round” of conflict into a map where Palestinians end up with less land and fewer rights. Recent EU reporting has highlighted intensifying settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank. Government Reform If we can’t audit it, we shouldn’t expand it. You cannot ask Americans to accept social safety net cuts while writing blank checks to institutions that can’t pass an audit. The Pentagon’s repeated audit failures are not a “paperwork problem”; they’re a governance and corruption risk. Foreign Policy No more forever wars; war must be the last resort. If we are going to use force, it must be tied to clear objectives, lawful authority, defined timelines, and measurable end-states. If those don’t exist, the answer is “No.” The default posture should be diplomacy, deterrence, and coalition pressure, not escalation-by-habit. Guns I believe the Second Amendment is part of our Constitution—and I also believe that with every right comes a responsibility. Education I’ll invest in accelerated learning programs for students who are ready to soar—because no child should be held back when they’re ready to move forward. At the same time, I’ll expand access to hands-on, career-focused pathways: trade schools, paid internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships with local employers. Because not every student wants a four-year degree—and that’s not failure. That’s freedom. Housing Housing is a human need – not a playground for investors. With the right tools, fairer rules, and the courage to act, we can make homeownership achievable again. It’s time to build a future where working families don’t just live – but thrive – in the communities they call home.