ad 65 hopefuls outline vision for ports, jobs, and equity
Published by Random Lengths News
Whoever is elected to represent Assembly District 65 will succeed Assemblymember Mike Gipson, whose term ends Dec. 7 as he runs for the California Board of Equalization.
The Carson Network will host an AD 65 candidate forum on March 14 at Veterans Park. Five candidates are vying for the seat: Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen, Fatima Iqbal-Zubair, Lamar Lyons, Dr. Ayanna Davis, and Magali Sanchez-Hall.
Random Lengths asked each to respond to a brief questionnaire outlining their positions. They asked each candidate to respond to two questions.
Question 1: Since AD 65 is closely aligned with the Harbor Area and port-adjacent communities — tying it directly to Port of Los Angeles–related issues, logistics, environmental justice and goods movement — what is your vision for ensuring the benefits of the Twin Ports are spread more widely and equitably through the district in terms of jobs?
Lamar’s Response: As President of the San Pedro Central Neighborhood Council, I have taken on a role that mirrors many of the responsibilities of elected office. I’ve worked directly with residents and regional stakeholders to address complexcommunity issues, particularly those connected to the Port of Los Angeles and West Harbor — two of the most significant economic drivers in the district. In this leadership position, Lamar has helped shape conversations surrounding the redevelopment of the decommissioned Phillips 66 site, a once-in-a-generation opportunity for economic transformation.
As President, I have demonstrated the ability to balance competing interests and develop forward-looking solutions that prioritize both economic growth and environmental responsibility.
He proposes small-scale, clean-technology micro-factories focused on precision manufacturing and flexible production lines. His plan centers on creating high-wage, career-track jobs while building a strong local workforce and establishing reentry pipelines in partnership with educational and training institutions.
Question 2: Given the current federal administration’s stance toward California, what challenges or blind spots must the 65th Assembly District address to ensure constituents thrive regardless of federal policy?
The 65th Assembly District’s biggest blind spot is concentration. It relies heavily on port trade, industrial jobs, federal funding, and communities that have long been underinvested. That concentration makes the district economically fragile. When federal trade, environmental, housing, or infrastructure policies shift, the consequences are immediate and local.
The district’s dependence on the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach leaves it especially exposed to federal trade policy changes. Yet there is an ongoing assumption that port growth automatically benefits residents. It does not. Without economic diversification and serious workforce retraining, growth can bypass local workers, and downturns can hit hard. Environmental risk is inseparable from economic risk.
Communities already shoulder intense pollution from ports, refineries, and freight corridors. If federal environmental protections weaken, health costs rise, and workforce stability declines. Clean air and climate resilience are not optional — they are economic necessities. Housing pressures deepen the vulnerability. Waterfront development and transit expansion are driving up costs. Building new units without protecting affordability accelerates displacement and weakens the district’s long-term stability.
The district’s economy rises or falls on federal decisions. Until it addresses its structural concentration, it remains exposed to forces beyond its control.
