Independent candidate Kenneth Young reflects on 24th Congressional District Race

The following interview is one of three profiles on the two candidates and one incumbent running for California's 24th Congressional District. A list of the same questions were posed to each candidate. 

Kenneth Young, the Independent candidate, told reporter Beth Farnsworth that healthcare and tax issues prompted him to run for office.

"I ran into a girl who was spending half of her income on her healthcare. That's just like, ohhhhh, spooked me out a little bit!"

Young said he believes America needs to be the leader in preventative healthcare and considers it one of the major issues confronting local voters in 2020.

"We're going to need to look at energy, healthcare, infrastructure. California energy bills are 40% higher than everybody else."

When it comes to energy, Young said all types are crucial.

"We do need fossil fuels. We also need nuclear. But, we also need to start looking at renewable energy."

The civil engineer said he's not too worried about rising temperatures and climate change.

"As long as we continue to progress as a human race, then we will also be able to develop cohesion with the climate."

Young categorized local ag as a "smaller" industry -- a magnet for wine growers, tourism, and labor.

"I think agriculture is extremely important to us."

He went on to say that he sees a crucial correlation between better roads and building infrastructure for more agricultural land.

When it comes to the federal government's stance on immigration issues, Young said he would like to see improved work visas and a longer path to citizenship.

"Right now it's five years, 30 months. I'd like to expand that to seven years and down to 24 months of residency."

Young called the impeachment process "a mess" and wanted no part of it. However, when asked if President Trump should be re-elected, Young said he's pulling for another presidential candidate.

"My favorite candidate is actually Andrew Yang. He has a lot of policies that I actually ... I'm learning from and I'd like to implement in how I'm approaching things."

Young said tackling mental health and economic displacement are both key to solving the growing homeless crisis.

"We need to go ahead and look at energy transformation and infrastructure to be able to create enough buildings, and so forth, so people can utilize resources and get more inexpensive housing."

Young summed up the discussion by pointing voters to his website.

"It's KenYoung2020.com. I'm very passionate about energy, infrastructure and healthcare."

For more information on the other candidates in the 24th Congressional District Race, click here: https://ballotpedia.org/California%27s_24th_Congressional_District_election,_2020

You can watch Young's entire interview with reporter Bath Farnsworth here: