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    Baltazar Fedalizo, CA-37 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: Baltazar Fedalizo

    Current job title: Lobbyist

    Age: 58

    Political party affiliation: Republican

    Incumbent: No

    Other political positions held: None

    City where you reside: South Central Los Angeles

    Campaign website or social media: BaltazarFedalizo.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.)

    I stand for water rights for the farmers, solving the homeless crisis, auditing the budget office and no more wars.

    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.)

    Yes, I think providing a valid California identification is a must. There are waivers for the indigent. I know I was homeless for 48 months, and the state has many services to assist with the most basic needs.

    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 existing statutes reflect my position on immigration. Until everyone coming is vetted and proven to be in the U.S. for the reasons they say they are, then they are welcomed. Otherwise, coming here for economic reasons is not for immigrating to the U.S. Every high-skilled worker is replacing an American who can do the job.

    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 assisted in the signing of Executive Order 14308, Rebuild Los Angeles, after the wildfire disasters. It was the state that withheld funds for those in the disaster zones. I know I am an Eaton Fire Hero. I won the American Red Cross and the Kiwanis Life Saver award, and my nomination for the Andrew Carnegie Life Saver award is under review now with the foundation. I was there on Jan. 7, feeding all of the Altadenians who were trapped in their homes for the 30-day quarantine set up by the National Guard.

    I gave when it counted, not when it was convenient. Action, not words, saved lives. This is proof that there are people out there who believe in service above self. I served over 7,000 pounds of food a week for a year in Altadena, and I own Nature’s Hotline in South Central LA, the oldest food bank in South Central. As you can see with the PSA, I have testimony for all the lives I saved.

    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.)

    Yes, members should not be privy to stock going to be made public. That is a crime of insider trading. Most of them are not entrepreneurs; how would they know what and when to trade unless they were given or had access to insider information? I would leave the enforcement to the SEC, FBI and others to regulate and stiffen the penalties with mandatory minimums.

    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.)

    I owned a biodiesel company, Biodiesel America, for 13 years. The regulation is over-regulated and should be reviewed by industry experts and businesses. The as-is is burdensome and expensive with fees, permits and start-up costs.

    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.)

    I would support an increase for defense spending IF there is justification for it. As we have seen with the Iranian defense systems, they were smart about how to defend Iran, and the U.S. overspent for weapons that don’t have the effect they should have to shorten the conflict. I would have to determine the why and what other ways we can be smarter. I wouldn’t use money for brains, rather brains then money.

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

    If an enemy is an imminent threat, it must be discussed with Congress, and all opinions must be heard before troops are sent. I was an infantry officer in the Army and a supply corps officer. Moreover, I want to be sure any engagement is for the safety and security of the American people. If it isn’t, then I would vote against it.

    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.)

    Yes, because it is “stare decisis.” It is established law that the President must ask Congress to go to war. No president has the authority to unilaterally go to war without congressional approval.

    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.)

    No, I do not. I think if either party gets the majority, they tend to ram through legislation that only helps one side, not the country. Moreover, the legislation lasts long after the member is gone.

    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.)

    I would have to research this more. I do agree that social media and phone usage are affecting the attention span of the youth and have other underlying effects still to be determined.

    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.)

    I would increase funding for grassroots non-profits that are subject matter experts in their particular community. They know better than a member who spends most of their time in D.C. and in the cubicle researching issues. I know firsthand because of my experience in the Eaton fires; first responders couldn’t respond in time, and it was the religious groups and Pow Wow on Parade that filled the void to assist when it mattered most.

    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.)

    Yes, I think there should be term limits of no less than three because there is no opportunity for the member to live under the laws passed. This would make the Congress more robust with thought outlooks and diminish the pacing issues where the methods or laws outpace regulations.

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

    My talent is that I stay consistent under sudden circumstances. As a military officer, entrepreneur, educator and business owner, when values are clear, decisions are easy. I keep 19-hour days six days out of the week. I stay in all-time ones in the continental U.S. This is shown in my body of work, www.BaltazarBiz.com, and my documentary “Beneath the Ashes, The Past Reimagined,” about the Eaton fires and the families who were saved by my organization and others.

    “

    ​ Orange County Register 

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