Christine Sarmiento, California governor candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

Christine Sarmiento, a Public Health Nurse and Operations Manager from El Monte, California, is running for governor in the 2026 primary election. Her top economic development priority is ensuring affordability while fostering sustainable growth. Sarmiento plans to conduct a comprehensive review of fees and taxes to guide decision-making and support economic growth and community well-being. She will work with cities to align efforts and create a unified strategy for long-term prosperity. To bring immediate relief to residents, Sarmiento suggests expanding resources for essential social programs, including temporary benefit payments, housing vouchers, and food subsidies. She also proposes assessing current regulations to ensure benefits reach those who need them most. Regarding high gas prices, Sarmiento disagrees with implementing a mileage tax and believes the current taxes and fees at the pump are too high. She aims to find a solution that distributes the cost fairly across all Californians.