Ahead of the March primary, The Orange County Register 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.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Van Tran
Current Job Title: Chief of Staff, Orange County Board of Supervisors
Political Party Affiliation: Nonpartisan
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Director of the Orange County Water District, 4th District (2022 – Present); California State Assemblymember (2004 to 2010); Garden Grove City Councilmember and vice mayor (2000 to 2004); Garden Grove Planning Commissioner (1999-2000)
City where you reside: Westminster
Campaign website or social media: www.votevantran.com
What experiences and priorities do you bring to the table? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that make you the person for this job?
I am a homegrown Orange County resident who has served the community for over 35 years. Throughout my service, I have a proven conservative track record of advocating for taxpayers and hard-working OC families. I put ideas into action by authoring and passing laws supporting women impacted by domestic violence, protecting the identity of victims of sex crimes and fighting against illegal immigration and our state’s excessive taxation. My commitment to Orange County is unwavering, and I’m ready to bring that same dedication to the Board of Supervisors.
I am committed to prioritizing issues that matter to our community, instead of being beholden to Sacramento lobbyists — issues such as stopping illegal immigration, supporting our police and public safety, promoting economic development and prosperity and addressing the issue of homelessness that plagues our community. I will work tirelessly to cut wasteful spending and bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the county.
Where in the county are we effectively putting money toward solutions to tackle homelessness? Where are the gaps in care when it comes to the homelessness issue? Are all communities being served or doing their fair share?
I am proud to be a leader in our community on homeless issues. I worked with the county to clear and clean up the open-air drug markets along the Santa Ana Riverbed, helped to build over 1,000 units of supportive housing and built OC’s first mental health crisis and drug treatment center.
As far as what more needs to be done, Orange County should provide more shelters and services across the county but also step up enforcement if homeless people refuse help and still insist on sleeping on the streets. We need to focus on empowering the police to prevent homeless people from sleeping on the street and put an end to the open-air drug markets. The safety of the public, of all Orange County residents, should always be the county’s priority.
Looking at the county’s yearly budget, is there a department or project that has not received the attention it needs? How would you make sure those needs are addressed?
Immigration, law enforcement and public safety. With the mass influx of unvetted illegal immigrants flowing into the country, and the state releasing half of its prisoners early and transferring them down to the counties, Orange County has faced an onslaught of hardened criminals. The problem became worse in recent years as California passed laws that tied the hands of law enforcement, as well as the courts in dealing with drug and property crime offenders.
The government’s priority is keeping you safe; this requires well-trained and equipped police officers, with high morale and a strong, compassionate commitment to their jobs. While serving on the City Council and in the California Legislature, I have fought and will continue to fight for adequate resources for law enforcement. As always, I will advocate for the county, state and country to do their jobs, build the border wall and protect our borders.
The public expects full transparency from public leaders. How can this be achieved? How can the county do better in this area?
Now more than ever, it’s imperative to elect someone who has personal relationships in the community they serve, not Sacramento politicians who are beholden to lobbyists, special interest groups and big-money donors with personal agendas.
Unlike others in this race, my decades of public service to Orange County have always been served with honor and a strong commitment to transparency with constituents, not with self-interests and trading favors. I am committed to working on the Orange County Board of Supervisors with transparency and honor committed to the residents of Orange and no one else.
The county oversees unincorporated territories where it can encourage housing, how else can it stimulate the development of affordable rent/housing in Orange County?
Orange County needs a supervisor with a proven record of success in addressing our homeless crisis and housing affordability, creating and maintaining a vibrant economy, developing thriving neighborhoods and improving the overall quality of life for our residents. I’ve helped lead the way on this issue before and will do so again as supervisor.
We need to encourage building where it makes sense, not bog down development with red tape and fees that slow construction and drive up housing costs. As supervisor, I will support building homes where it makes sense and doing so by tying the hands of developers and builders with red tape.
