Pastor Brian Hawkins, GOP candidate for U.S. House District 25, is envisioning safer neighborhoods, safer lives and an economy that doesn't oppress citizens in Coachella Valley.
As a city councilman in San Jacinto, 44-year-old Hawkins knows the key issues facing the Coachella Valley and has experience representing the area. In his candidacy, Hawkins has numerous endorsements including the California GOP, elected officials such as District Attorney Mike Hestrin and Sheriff Chad Bianco (both Riverside County) and the East Valley Republican Women Patriots, Ballotpedia reports. He has advanced from the primary, and his name will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Hawkins said he is well aware that safety and crime are issues that dominate Coachella Valley. This is an area where the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force was formed to deal with the many out-of-control, violent gangs. Despite their efforts at gang prevention and extensive investigations, gang members still enter the area through the Southern border.
Additionally, human trafficking and sex trafficking, which often go hand in hand, have grown to become such a problem that this, too, has led to the formation of a task force: Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
Also related to the Southern border is the record-high drug overdose deaths, especially from fentanyl being imported by the drug cartels, according to Council on Foreign Relations. By March of last year, the California District Attorney’s Office announced that 10 kilos had been seized, and more and more continue to make their way into California communities.
In a recent interview with Coachella Valley Times, Hawkins indicated that a more secure border would go a long way in improving the quality of life for Coachella Valley citizens.
Asked how Coachella Valley is being impacted by an "open" Southern border, Hawkins said, "Thank you for acknowledging in your question that the border is open. This administration has consistently lied to the American people, saying the border is closed when it isn’t. The main effect we are seeing with an open border is the uncontrolled flow of drugs. How can the supply of fentanyl in our community benefiting the drug cartels be good for Coachella Valley? Where is the moral outrage over the very tragic human trafficking taking place every day? Crime is rising due to the total lack of knowing who is crossing the border, without any criminal backgrounds, cartel affiliations or any health and disease issues."
Hawkins addressed the impact of the Southern border on the economy.
"The open border has overwhelmed our local social services, which are meant for our residents," Hawkins said. "Those crossing the border have no means of support for themselves, which in turn overwhelms our local services. The local sheriffs and district attorneys have also been overwhelmed by the drugs and trafficking and have the statistics to prove it is a major problem. This administration has turned a blind eye to the problem and chooses to continue to do little, which amounts to doing nothing, given the magnitude of the problem."
Hawkins also discussed drugs and crime, other issues often tied to border crossings.
"There needs to be greater communication and cooperation with local law enforcement to create a coordinated plan and process to deal with the crisis," Hawkins told Coachella Valley Times. "I have been endorsed by Sheriff Bianco and (District Attorney) Hestrin and have a good working relationship with them. If elected, I will fill the void that currently exists due to the lack of any leadership coming from our current representative. I’ll work tirelessly to give our sheriff and DA the support they need to effectively do their jobs protecting our local residents. When elected, I’ll put this administration on notice that it’s their policies that have created unprecedented inflation with high gas and energy costs to the working people."
For Hawkins, many of these problems find their remedy in "reinstating the policies at the border, which saved local communities from the costs of crime and drugs due to the mass illegal entry of tens of thousands, which go unchecked daily."
But the candidate for U.S. House has a number of other priorities for office that stretch beyond the border and its management.
"Fighting the out-of-control inflation and gas and energy prices that are killing the working class and retirees, who are struggling to survive in day-to-day terms, instead of building windmills and solar energy," he listed as his first priority. "We need to reinstate the policies that gave workers and retirees energy independence and affordable gas, food and energy prices.
"Support the local constituents by spending time in CA-25 and listening to their concerns, rather than doing the bidding of Nancy Pelosi and her progressive agenda, which cares little for the average people of CA-25, compared to special interests and her Green New deal," Hawkins said.
"Work tirelessly with the federal border agents and personnel and local law enforcement to stop the flow of fentanyl and other drugs and the tragic human trafficking," Hawkins continued listing his priorities. "Allow parents to be involved with and participate in their children’s education and development without interference and mandates from federal and state agencies."
Coachella Valley Times asked Hawkins about the major problems confronting District 25.
"High gas prices, which are costing (people) more to travel to work," he said. "High food prices with empty store shelves causing more food insecurity. A failing educational system, which is leaving more and more behind, resulting in poor educational outcomes. Crime and drugs, which is a direct (result) of an open border. Just last night, a 15-year-old boy was killed right around the corner from my home in a gang-related activity."
Hawkins talked about what makes him stand out as a candidate.
"I am not beholden to the progressive dictates of the Democratic Party or any other special interest groups," he said. "Our current representative has not listened to the concerns of the local constituents of the Coachella Valley and only votes as instructed by the Democratic Party. I will listen to the concerns of our local residents and serve their best interests, which is why, if elected, I'll work to rebuild the local economy, I’ll renew the local education system and I’ll restore public safety."
Hawkins is running against U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert), who has been serving as the representative for California's District 36, according to Ballotpedia.