I believe an independent, non-partisan and transparent process for drawing district lines is critical to ensuring fair representation. As a non-partisan elected official, I see first hand the positive outcomes that are possible when a community is included and feels represented by the individual they have elected. I believe in this process so much, that as a Long Beach Councilmember I worked hard to create our own independent redistricting commission modeled after California's process.

As a current City Councilwoman, I have a very public track record that demonstrates how I have been able to set aside my personal beliefs and be impartial. For hearings, I weigh the facts only as presented and vote accordingly. When crafting policy or trying to solve an issue, I listen to presentations, research and public comment to find solutions that can achieve the common goal or intended outcome and I work to craft policy accordingly. In trying to achieve this we will often hear hours of testimony before deliberating on how to ensure the proposed policy can produce the intended outcome without unintended consequences. It is a skill to be able to hear and keep notes for use in the analysis and deliberation process. My colleagues and constituents have said that my ability to hear and extrapolate the impact of the policy is a quality they appreciate in me.

Additionally, I'm a University of Chicago trainer in procedural justice. I mostly focus on training police departments that have applied for a Department of Justice grant because of some issue their city or department has had. My most recent trainings have included an implicit bias component that speaks to one's ability to recognize biases to be able to set them aside. To have been selected to teach this, the team believes the trainer to have mastered it and I'm proud of this designation.

As an elected official in America's 10th most diverse city, I live diversity every day. For this designation Long Beach was ranked across five criteria: socioeconomic diversity, cultural diversity, economic diversity, household diversity, and religious diversity and I see more diversity than assessed as we also have diversity of sexual orientation, density, age, connectedness, and more. I believe my overwhelming re-election in one of America's most diverse constituencies despite several candidates running, demonstrates that the diverse community I serve believe I represent them well.

As outlined in question two, I also serve as a traveling trainer for the University of Chicago and have demonstrated and taught my appreciation for California's diversity to local California police agencies. Knowing and appreciating the diversity of the communities they serve is important in their ability to be effective public servants. My appreciation for that diversity is important in my ability to connect with and teach the material.

My full-time job as a Los Angeles County Fire Division Chief requires me to exercise my analytical skills daily. My job description reads: Directs and oversees highly complex and sensitive research assignments requiring a substantial depth of analysis using qualitative and/or quantitative analytical methods; defines study parameters and objectives and develops statistical and information-gathering processes to ensure the quality, integrity, validity and relevance of data obtained for analysis and decision-making purposes.
In this role, I gather, and review maps, charts, spreadsheets, and data presented through other mediums. I analyze and aggregate the most relevant information. Then I synthesize it into a short yet complete briefing sheet to ensure we share the information and direction with the organization.

My management consistently communicates that I "exceed expectations," a performance evaluation I am proud of.