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Mayra Ruiz, AD-68 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 6, 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: Mayra Ruiz

Current job title: Business Owner

Age: 42

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: N/A

City where you reside: Santa Ana

Campaign website or social media: www.MayraRuiz.com

Do you believe balancing the state budget should rely more on spending cuts, new revenue streams or a combination? Tell us how you would propose tackling California’s projected budget deficit. (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

California doesn’t have a problem with the revenue. It has a spending and accountability problem. Balancing the budget should rely on responsible spending cuts and helping the economy grow, not by raising the taxes on families already struggling.

We need to take a look at state programs to get rid of waste. Taxpayer dollars should be used on things that can be measured and are working. We should also make sure that public safety, infrastructure, and education are taken care of.

We should also focus on the growth of the economy. When businesses leave California, we lose jobs and tax revenue. We need to make it easier for businesses to operate by reducing rules and regulations.

We also need rules in place to protect the money we save for when times are rough, so we don’t overspend when things are going well, which is part of how we got here.

For you, what’s a non-starter when talking about budget cuts? Why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

A non-starter for me is cutting funding that impacts public safety, educational services, and support for populations like children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

I would work hard to target waste, excessive administrative cost, and programs that are not working.

What are the top three most pressing issues facing the state, and what would you propose, as a state legislator, to address them? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Affordability: I would work to reduce the rules that drive up housing cost, oppose new taxes, and support policies that create jobs and economic growth.

Public safety: Many communities don’t feel safe. I support giving law enforcement the resources they need to make sure our communities are safe. We also need strong consequences for repeat offenders, and addressing the drug addiction and homeless crisis with compassion and accountability.

Government Accountability: Californians don’t trust the government. I will push for transparency in spending, audits of programs, and clear reporting so taxpayers know where the money is going.

What specific policy would you champion in the statehouse to improve the cost of living for residents? Would you see this having an immediate impact on Californians or would it take some time? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

One of the important things I would work on is reducing the rules that make housing and energy so expensive in California.

We need to make it easier and faster to build housing, get permits, reduce fees, and hold local agencies accountable for delays. I would also push to lower the cost of energy and reevaluate policies that unnecessarily increase gas and electricity prices.

I will also support tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses who are being squeezed the most. When families keep more of what they earn, it creates immediate relief.

California has become too expensive because of policy choices. We need to start making different choices that put residents first.

There have been numerous efforts made in the state legislature to curtail federal immigration enforcement in California, from prohibitions on agents wearing masks to banning federal officers from future employment in a public agency. Do you see any area where the state could better protect its residents from the federal government’s widespread immigration crackdown? Would you prefer the state work more hand-in-hand with the federal government on immigration? Where does the role as a state legislator fall into your beliefs here? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The federal government has a responsibility to enforce immigration laws, but I do not support policies that create fear in entire communities or target hardworking families who are contributing and staying out of trouble.

At the same time, I will never support policies that ignore serious or violent crimes. Public safety comes first, and there must be cooperation when it comes to protecting our communities.

Where I think California has gone wrong is turning this into a political fight instead of focusing on real solutions. We need clarity, consistency, and accountability, not chaos or messaging designed to divide people.

Health care costs — like in many other areas — are continuing to rise. What policies, specifically, would you support or like to champion that could lower premiums or out-of-pocket expenses? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

We need to increase price transparency, so patients know what they’re paying before receiving care. Having transparency makes them accountable.

We need to reduce unnecessary regulations that drive up costs for providers and patients. That includes fast approvals and expanding access to more affordable care options, including telehealth.

For prescription drugs, we should push for better pricing and faster access to lower-cost alternatives.

Our priority should focus on preventive care. When people can access basic care early, we avoid much higher costs.

The goal should be simple, make healthcare more affordable, more transparent, easier to access, and without raising taxes on families who are already struggling.

Would you support expanding state health care programs to ensure more residents — including those who are not citizens — are covered? How would you propose the state fund such an expansion? Or, how would you propose the people who cannot afford health care still get the necessary care they need without expanding state programs? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I believe everyone should have access to essential healthcare, but we also have to be honest about the cost and sustainability of expanding state programs.

California is facing budget challenges and expanding programs without a clear funding plan risk putting even more strain on taxpayers and the system itself.

We should strengthen accountability in existing programs to ensure that resources are being used effectively and reaching those who truly need them.

For those who cannot afford care, we need practical pathways, like sliding scale clinics, preventive care programs, and local partnerships that deliver real help without expanding on sustainable systems.

As part of combating homelessness, elected officials often talk about the need to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. What policies or programs should the state adopt to make housing more affordable for renters and homeowners? What do you propose the state do to incentivize housing development and expedite such projects? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

As a business owner, I’ve seen how regulations and delays drive up costs. Housing in California is expensive because it’s too difficult and too costly to build.

We need to make it faster and more affordable to build housing by reducing excessive fees, and holding agencies accountable for delays.

I would also support initiatives for builders who create workforce housing and prioritize developments that meet real community needs, not just luxury units.

We also need to help people stay in their homes. That means focusing on early intervention, rental assistance, financial counseling, and local programs that prevent families from falling into homelessness in the first place

For homeowners, we must protect against rising property-related costs and over regulation that makes it harder to stay in California. I will also fight to keep Prop 13. Families should not be taxed out of the homes they worked their whole life for.

Homelessness is not just a housing issue. It’s also tied to mental health and addiction. We need accountability on how funds are used and real outcomes, not just more spending.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2023 authorizing state energy regulators to penalize oil companies making excessive profits. But the California Energy Commission put off imposing the penalties last year after two oil refineries, which represent nearly a fifth of California’s refining capacity, said they would shut down operations. Those announcements prompted many to be concerned about soaring gas prices. What do you think of the commission’s decision? And how would you, as a state legislator, propose balancing California’s climate goals with protecting consumers from high gas prices at the pump? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Californians are already paying some of the highest gas prices in the country, and policies that risk reducing supply even further will only make things worse for working families.

I understand the concern about excessive profits, but the reality is that if refinery shut down, it reduces supply and drives prices even higher. That’s not a risk we can ignore.

We need a balanced approach. I support transparency and accountability in pricing, but we also need to ensure we are not creating policies that push energy production out of California and onto consumers through higher costs.

At the same time, we should continue working toward long-term energy goals, but in a way that is realistic and does not put an immediate financial burden on families.

As a legislator, I would focus on protecting consumers by stabilizing supply, reducing unnecessary regulatory costs, and ensuring that any transition to cleaner air is gradual, affordable, and reliable.

In 2024, voters approved Proposition 36 to increase penalties for certain drug and retail theft crimes and make available a drug treatment option for some who plead guilty to felony drug possession. Would you, as a legislator, demand that more funding for behavioral health treatments be included in the budget? How would you ensure that money is used properly? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I support the goal behind Proposition 36. There has to be real consequences for repeat theft and serious drug-related offenses, but we also need to address the root causes, including addiction and mental health.

Yes, I support investing in behavioral health treatment, but only with strong accountability. Californians have already spent billions on homelessness and mental health, and have seen no result.

Funding must be tied to measurable outcomes. How many people are completing treatment, how many are staying sober, and how many are successfully reintegrating into society.

I will support performance-based funding, independent audits, and regular public reporting so taxpayers can see exactly where the money is going, and what results are being achieved.

We also need better coordination between law enforcement, courts, and treatment providers to ensure that when treatment is offered, It is structured, monitored, and leads to real change.

What role should the state play in ensuring hospitals and doctors are providing gender-affirming care to LGBTQ+ residents? Similarly, what role do you believe the state could play should other states adopt policies that restrict that care? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I believe every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and adults should be able to make their own medical decisions in consultation with their doctor.

When it comes to minors, I believe parents should be involved in major medical decisions, and we must ensure that any care provided is based on sound medical standards, transparency, and long-term well-being. I do not support minors undergoing irreversible medical treatments, and I believe we need clear safeguards in place to protect them.

The role of the state should not be to overstep into personal medical decisions, but to ensure the care is safe, ethical, and accountable, not to mandate or expand taxpayer-funded procedures.

California should focus on getting its own policies right and not escalating political conflicts. We should lead by example with thoughtful balance policies.

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. Do you believe it’s the state’s responsibility to regulate social media use? Why or why not? And what specific restrictions or safeguards would you propose as a state lawmaker? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

As a parent, I understand the concerns around social media and its impact on young people‘s mental health. This is a real issue, and we shouldn’t ignore it.

I don’t believe the government should broadly control how people use social media. Parents, not the state, should have the primary role in guiding their children.

I believe the state should have a role in creating reasonable safeguards. I will support stronger age verification, increase transparency from social media companies, and tools that give parents more control over their children’s usage.

We should also hold companies accountable for practices that knowingly harm minors, especially when it comes to addictive features or harmful content.

We need to be careful not to over regulate in ways that limit free speech or personal responsibility.

Artificial intelligence has become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Yet public concerns remain that there aren’t enough regulations governing when or how AI should be used, and that the technology would replace jobs and leave too many Californians unemployed. How specifically would you balance such concerns with the desire to foster innovation and have California remain a leader in this space? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

California has an opportunity to lead, but we have to get the balance right. It starts with transparency; people should know when they’re interacting with AI. We also need protections against misuse, especially in areas like fraud and privacy.

We should invest in workforce training and education, so workers can adapt and succeed in a changing economy. That includes partnerships with community colleges and trade programs to help people build new skills.

Over regulation can push innovation out of California, which would hurt our economy and job growth, but no regulation at all isn’t responsible either.

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

California has moved toward softer on crime policies that have reduced accountability and sent the wrong message. When there are no real consequences for repeat offenders, retail theft, or drug-related crimes, it creates a cycle that harms entire communities.

I believe we need to restore balance by enforcing the law and making sure there are clear consistent consequences. Public safety must come first.

We should address the root causes like addiction and mental health, but with structure and accountability. Treatment should be part of the solution, but it must be tied to real outcomes, not just funding.

I support giving law enforcement the tools and support they need to do their jobs, while improving coordination between police, courts, and local agencies to ensure cases don’t fall through the cracks.

As a legislator, my role would be to push policies that prioritize safety, restore accountability, and rebuild trust in the system.

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

One of my hidden talents is my ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Whether I’m working in my business, volunteering in the community, or talking with families, I’ve learned how to listen, understand different perspectives, and bring people together, even when they don’t agree.

As a mom, with children ranging in age from 27 to 2, and having been married for 23 years, I’ve lived through many stages of life and parenting. That experience has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges families face, from raising young children to supporting young adults finding their way.

I’ve also developed the ability to manage chaos, solve problems quickly, and stay calm under pressure. That’s a skill you don’t learn in a classroom, it comes from real life.

I’m very intuitive when it comes to reading people and situations, which helps me make thoughtful decisions and navigate challenges effectively.

I believe leadership is not just about policies, it’s about people. And my ability to connect, listen, and lead through real-life experience is something I carry into everything I do.

Orange County Register

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Mayra Ruiz, AD-68 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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