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April A. Verlato, CA-28 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 5, 2026

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: April A. Verlato

Current job title: Attorney

Age: 55

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Arcadia City Council and Mayor

City where you reside: Arcadia

Campaign website or social media: verlatoforcongress.com

From voter ID to war powers and from immigration to tariffs, Congress has tackled many issues over the past year. What do you, though, see as the top three issues impacting Californians, and what specifically could you do as a lawmaker to address these issues? (Please answer in 250 words or less, and keep your response to future proposals.)

1. Homelessness: Billions has been spent with no decrease in homelessness. This should be every elected official in California’s No. 1 priority. We need to take a fresh look and come up with a new strategy to address homelessness and find a solution that works.

2. Wildfire prevention: Again, every elected official in California should be looking at real, proven strategies that provide real results. The Eaton fire is in the Congressional District in which I am running. More needs to be done to prevent wildfires, as the cost of prevention is pennies on the dollar compared to the cost of the loss caused by wildfires.

3. Foreign influence: We have seen firsthand that foreign actors are looking to influence California politics. We need to stay independent of foreign influence and act in the best interest of the citizens of the United States.

Speaking of voter ID, the president has implored Congress to approve legislation that would require people to show proof of citizenship in order to vote. What role do you believe the federal government plays in telling states how to conduct their own elections, as dictated by the U.S. Constitution? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The federal government should not be passing laws regarding how to conduct elections in individual states. However, the federal government has an interest in ensuring that elections are conducted legitimately and not influenced by foreign actors. The federal government should ensure that every voter is a citizen of the U.S. as is required by the U.S. Constitution. The federal government should ensure that the Constitution is followed.

What, in your opinion, should the federal government focus on when it comes to immigration policy? For example, do you place a priority on border security, visas for high-skilled workers, refuge for asylum seekers, etc., and why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The federal government needs to focus on all of it: border security, visas for all types of workers, refuge for asylum seekers and ways to address those immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally, but have lived here for years without committing any other crimes. California is one of the most impacted states, and immigration law should be a top priority of any congressional candidate from California.

It’s been over a year since Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the federal government for supplemental disaster aid to help Southern California communities rebuild after the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires, but neither President Donald Trump nor Congress has acted. What would you do to push for the funding, besides writing letters to the Trump administration or the leaders of Congress? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I would work with the Trump administration and the Republican leaders of Congress. We need to put politics aside, stop the partisan fighting and put the people who are in desperate need of help first.

Do you support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks? Why or why not? And what would you propose to ensure lawmakers aren’t using their positions to engage in insider trading? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I would support a ban or restriction on congressional lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks. Too many members of Congress have made fortunes off of the stock market. It gives the appearance of impropriety and unethical behavior. They are entrusted with the taxpayers’ dollars and need to be held to a higher standard.

Do you support stronger regulations on pollution and carbon emissions? If so, how would you ensure those regulations aren’t overly burdensome on small businesses or lower-income families? And if not, how do you propose lawmakers protect the environment and curtail the impacts of climate change? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

No, we should focus on incentivizing more environmentally friendly energy, such as hydrogen or nuclear power plants. We need clean energy, but we can’t further fuel economic hardships that result in an increase in homelessness.

President Donald Trump has significantly increased spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Would you, as a member of Congress, approve additional dollars for the military if the president were to ask for more funding? How would you ensure that any military spending does not end up putting the American people or national security in harm’s way? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

One of the major roles of the federal government is to provide the safety and protection of the U.S. on an international level. Spending should always be done prudently. Military spending is no different. It will always depend on a risk-benefit assessment.

Under what specific circumstances do you believe the U.S. should engage in a war? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

It will always depend on a multitude of factors. There isn’t just a single “formula” for when war is justified or not.

Do you believe a president should seek congressional approval before engaging in military action overseas? Why, or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The president should always follow the law and avail themselves of the powers vested in the executive branch.

Congress, in theory, is supposed to serve as a check on the president through budgetary, legislative and oversight powers. Do you believe Congress has fulfilled that obligation during the past two administrations, with one being a Democrat and the other a Republican? Why or why not? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Each president over the last 40 years has broadened the powers of the executive branch. Congress should keep the president in check. The entire Constitution was framed around checks and balances between the three branches. Congress needs to exercise its powers under the Constitution.

Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Should Congress adopt such restrictions? If so, what specific restrictions do you propose? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Considering the recent verdict against Meta for this specific issue, I would think it is time that Congress considers regulating social media for the health and safety of the youth in America.

Statistically, violent crime rates in California are on the decline, yet residents still don’t feel safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in Congress in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Members of Congress need to support first responders and law enforcement. It is imperative that Congress use its platform to highlight the positive results attributable to our first responders, the sacrifices they make and create a more positive image of law enforcement.

There are term limits to serve in the California Legislature, but none to serve in Congress. Would you advocate for term limits for House members? Why or why not? If you support term limits, how many years maximum should a House member be allowed to serve? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I support term limits in Congress, and I would propose 16 years as a maximum. Too many of the members of Congress become too comfortable with their positions, and they stop serving the people and just stay in office due to name recognition.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I am underestimated, and I outperform people’s expectations of me.

Orange County Register

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April A. Verlato, CA-28 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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