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Sang “Sam Shin” Masog, SD-26 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: Sang “Sam Shin” Masog

Current job title: Pastor

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Los Angeles

Campaign website or social media: samshin-sangmasog-sd26.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.)

Balancing California’s budget requires both spending discipline and responsible revenue but the real problem is how Sacramento spends.

I would start by cutting failed programs and stopping wasteful spending. Taxpayer dollars should go to core priorities like public safety, education, and essential services not bureaucracy that doesn’t deliver results.

I oppose broad tax increases on families already struggling to make ends meet. Instead, we should close loopholes, enforce existing laws, and make sure everyone pays their fair share.

With AI rapidly changing our economy, we must be careful not to pass policies that kill jobs or drive businesses out of California. We should grow our economy, not overtax it.

California doesn’t need more money; it needs better priorities. That means accountability, smarter spending, and protecting taxpayers.

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 the core responsibilities of government, keeping people safe, educating our children, and protecting the most vulnerable.

I will not support budget cuts that weaken public safety, reduce classroom resources, or take away essential support from seniors and people with disabilities. These are basic obligations, not optional programs.

The real issue isn’t that California lacks money; it is that too much of it is wasted. Before we even consider cuts to essential services, we should eliminate wasteful spending, duplicative programs, and policies that don’t produce results.

Sacramento should not ask families to sacrifice safety or opportunity while government inefficiency goes unchecked.

My approach is simple: protect what matters most, cut what doesn’t work, and hold government accountable.

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.)

California is facing three urgent challenges: the cost of living crisis, rising concerns about public safety, and a declining trust in our education system.

First, the cost of living continues to push families out of the state. I would focus on increasing housing supply by cutting unnecessary regulations, streamlining approvals, and encouraging responsible development. We must also control government spending to reduce upward pressure on taxes and everyday costs.

Second, public safety must be restored as a top priority. I will support law enforcement, ensure accountability, and push for consistent enforcement of our laws so every community feels protected.

Third, our schools must return to their core mission — education. I will fight for parental rights, greater transparency, and a focus on academic excellence, not distractions that take away from learning.

As a state legislator, I will focus on results, lowering costs, restoring safety, and putting students and families first.

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.)

The specific policy I would champion is strengthening affordability requirements and enforcing accountability in our housing market. This approach can have both immediate and long-term impacts — immediate by bringing vacant units back into use, and long-term by ensuring future housing is actually affordable for working families.

The problem in California isn’t just housing supply; the problem is affordability. In communities like Koreatown and across SD26, there are vacant units, yet many residents still cannot afford to live there. That means the system is not serving everyday people.

As a legislator, I will push for stronger enforcement of affordability requirements, crack down on long-term vacant units, and require that new developments include housing that middle and working-class families can realistically afford and not just luxury units. We also need to reduce excessive fees and regulations that drive up costs and get passed directly to renters.

Residents in SD26 and not asking for more empty buildings; they are asking for homes they can afford. That is the priority I will fight for.

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.)

As a state legislator, my responsibility is to protect California residents while respecting the proper roles of the state and federal government.

I do not believe California should interfere with federal immigration enforcement or create policies that put the state in direct conflict with federal law. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. However, the state does have a role in ensuring that all residents are treated with dignity, that due process is respected, and that public safety is maintained.

Where the state can do better is in transparency and accountability. I would support policies that ensure clear identification of officers, protect against abuse, and uphold constitutional rights. At the same time, I do not support measures that broadly shield individuals who commit serious crimes or undermine cooperation when it comes to public safety.

I believe California should take a practical, balanced approach, working where appropriate with federal authorities, especially in cases involving serious criminal activity, while also maintaining trust within communities so people feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with local law enforcement.

As a state senator, my role is not to engage in political battles with the federal government, but to focus on policies that keep communities safe, uphold the law, and protect the rights of all residents.

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.)

As a state legislator, I would focus on holding insurance companies accountable, increasing competition, and cracking down on fraud to lower healthcare costs.

First, we need stronger oversight of insurance companies. Premium increases should not be approved without clear, transparent justification. I would support legislation giving the state more authority to review and reject unreasonable rate hikes and protect consumers from high costs.

Second, we must increase competition and expand affordable care options. That includes supporting community clinics, encouraging innovation, and reducing unnecessary regulations that drive up costs without improving care.

Third, we need a serious crackdown on fraud and abuse — especially in Medi-Cal and in coordination with federal partners on Medicare. Billions are lost each year to fraudulent billing and misuse. While Medicare is federally managed, the state can strengthen data sharing, audits, and enforcement to help identify fraud and protect both taxpayers and patients.

These actions can have an immediate impact by slowing premium increases and recovering lost funds, while long-term reforms will help lower costs over time.

Healthcare should be affordable, transparent, and focused on patients and not profits or abuse.

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.)

As a state legislator, my priority is to make healthcare more affordable and accessible without expanding programs in ways that are financially unsustainable.

California already faces serious budget challenges. Expanding state healthcare programs without a stable funding source risks higher taxes or cuts to essential services. I do not support open-ended expansions that the state cannot responsibly fund.

Instead, I would focus on improving access to care through more efficient and targeted solutions. That includes expanding community clinics, supporting preventative care, and strengthening partnerships with local providers so people can receive care early — before it becomes more serious and expensive.

We should also reduce costs by increasing transparency, holding insurers accountable, and cracking down on fraud and abuse in programs like Medi-Cal. Every dollar lost to waste is a dollar that could have gone toward patient care.

For those who cannot afford healthcare, the goals should be access and not necessarily expansion. By lowering costs, improving efficiency, and better using existing resources, we can help more people get the care they need without placing additional strain on taxpayers.

As a state senator, I will focus on responsible solutions that protect both patients and the long-term financial stability of our state.

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.)

To prevent homelessness, the state must focus on keeping people housed and addressing the reasons why people fall into homelessness in the first place.

Many Californians are just one crisis away. Whether it is a job loss, a sudden illness, or untreated mental health challenges. I would support targeted, accountable programs that provide short-term rental assistance and emergency support to stabilize individuals and families before they lose their housing.

At the same time, we must address affordability. Too many units are being built that working families simply cannot afford. I would push for stronger affordability requirements in state-funded projects and ensure resources are directed toward middle and working-class housing and not just luxury developments.

We also need to reduce state-level regulations, fees and delays that drive up construction costs and ultimately raise rents.

In addition, the state should better coordinate mental health and supportive services to individuals facing health or personal crises, so that they can receive help before they fall into homelessness.

These solutions can have an immediate impact by stabilizing at-risk residents, while long-term reforms will help create a more affordable and sustainable housing system.

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.)

I understand why the commission made that decision. When we are already seeing high gas prices, losing a large portion of our refinery capacity could make things even worse for working families.

California does produce oil, but we do not produce or refine enough to meet our own demand. That means even small disruptions like refinery shutdowns can quickly drive up prices. The problem is not just supply; it is how our system is designed.

As a state legislator, my focus would be on balance. California should continue moving toward cleaner energy, but we must do it in a way that does not make life more expensive for everyday people.

First, we need better transparency and oversight so consumers understand why prices are rising and are protected from unfair practices.

Second, we need a more stable energy system. That means supporting clean energy while also maintaining enough in-state production and refining capacity to avoid sudden price spikes.

Third, I would support targeted relief for families who are hit hardest by high gas prices.

California can lead on climate, but we need a practical approach, one that protects both our environment and our residents’ cost of living.

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.)

Yes, I support funding for behavioral health treatment, but it must come with strong accountability and real results.

Proposition 36 makes it clear that we need both enforcement and treatment. If we are going to offer treatment as an option, then the state has a responsibility to make sure those programs are available, effective, and actually help people recover.

As a legislator, I would support targeted funding for mental health and addiction treatment, especially programs that show measurable success in reducing repeat offenses and helping people get back on their feet.

At the same time, we cannot simply spend more without oversight. I would push for strict audits, clear performance standards, and full transparency on how funds are used. Programs that do not deliver results should not continue to receive funding.

I would also work to improve coordination between law enforcement, courts, and treatment providers so individuals are not falling through the cracks.

This approach helps people get the care they need while improving public safety and ensuring taxpayers know their money is being used responsibly.

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.)

As a state legislator, my role is to ensure that healthcare in California is safe, transparent, and based on sound medical standards and not driven by politics or mandates from Sacramento.

I do not believe the state should force doctors or hospitals to provide specific types of care. Medical decisions should be made by patients, families, and qualified healthcare professionals and not dictated by the government. At the same time, the state has a responsibility to set clear standards, ensure informed consent, and protect patient safety, especially when it involves minors.

Parental involvement is critical. Parents should not be pushed aside when it comes to major medical decisions affecting their children. We need policies that respect families, ensure transparency, and prevent rushed or uninformed decisions.

Regarding other states, California should focus on its own residents and laws. We should not be trying to control what other states do, but we must ensure that anyone receiving care in California is treated fairly, safely, and within the law.

As a state senator, I will support policies that protect patient safety, uphold parental rights, and limit government overreach in personal medical decisions.

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.)

Yes, I believe the state has a role, but it should not be focused on protecting children, not controlling free speech.

Social media is having a serious impact on young people’s mental health and safety. We are seeing rising anxiety, depression, and even tragic cases of suicide among young children. At the same time, online predators are targeting minors on these platforms.

As a legislator, I would support common-sense safeguards. That includes stronger age verification, giving parents more control over their children’s accounts, and requiring more transparency so families understand how content is being pushed to young users.

We must also hold social media companies accountable. In other countries, platforms are already required to adjust their algorithms to reduce harmful content and promote healthier use. Yet, here in the U.S., companies are not held to the same standard. That needs to change. Companies should be required to take stronger action to detect predators, prevent exploitation, and limit harmful or addictive content.

At the same time, I do not support heavy-handed government control over speech. The goal is to protect children, support parents, and hold companies responsible without overreach.

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.)

Artificial intelligence brings new opportunities, but it also raises real concerns, especially about job loss. As a state legislator, my goal is to protect workers while allowing innovation to grow.

First, we need clear and simple rules. People should know when AI is being used, especially in hiring, healthcare, and public services. We also need basic safeguards to protect privacy and prevent misuse.

Second, we must protect jobs. AI should not be used to replace workers without responsibility. I would support programs that help workers learn new skills so they can move into new roles instead of being left behind.

Third, we have to be careful not to overregulate. We have already seen companies like Tesla, Oracle, and Hewlett-Packard move their headquarters out of California because of high costs and heavy regulations. If we are not careful, we could lose even more jobs and innovation.

The goal is to balance support and innovation, protect workers, and make sure AI helps people not hurt them.

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.)

Even if statistics show crime is down, many Californians still do not feel safe, and that matters. Public safety is not just about numbers; it is about whether people feel secure in their daily lives.

As a state legislator, my role is to address both the reality and the root causes behind that fear.

First, we need consistent enforcement of the law. When people see smash-and-grab thefts, repeated offenses, and even home invasions, it creates real fear in our communities. When crimes go unpunished, it sends the message that there are no consequences. Policies that treat theft under a certain dollar amount too lightly have contributed to this perception. I would support reforms that restore accountability and ensure repeat offenders are taken seriously.

Second, we must be honest about the causes. While mental health, addiction, and homelessness play a role, they are not the whole story. Organized retail theft rings and gang activity are also major drivers of crime, and they must be addressed directly. I would support stronger coordination between state and local law enforcement to target these groups.

At the same time, we need better mental health and treatment services so people get help before problems escalate.

Safety is about restoring accountability, addressing root causes, and making sure every community feels protected.

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

One hidden talent I have is the ability to connect with people from very different backgrounds and help them find common ground.

Throughout my life as a police officer, a pastor, and a community leader, I have worked with people in difficult situations, often when emotions are high and trust is low. I have learned how to listen carefully, understand different perspectives, and bring people together to move forward.

It may not sound like a “talent” in the traditional sense, but in today’s world, where division is everywhere, I believe it is one of the most important skills a leader can have.

Whether it is helping a family in crisis, mentoring young people, or working through community concerns, I focus on building trust and finding solutions that people can agree on.

Orange County Register

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Sang “Sam Shin” Masog, SD-26 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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