Dear Sang,

A trio of Democratic challengers were neck and neck with Republican incumbents in early returns for three Inland Empire races with the potential to shift political representation in California. 

Democrat Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor, has drawn national interest and big dollars in his bid to unseat veteran Republican Congress member Ken Calvert, who has represented parts of Riverside County for three decades. Rollins was just behind Calvert Wednesday morning with 69% of the ballots counted.

In 2022 Calvert prevailed over Rollins by about 4 points. Their rematch for the 41st Congressional District is one of a handful of swing races that could decide which party controls Congress. Total spending on the race approached $40 million, including expenditures by the candidates, their supporters and opponents. 

In state Senate District 19, which includes portions of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, Palm Springs Councilmember Lisa Middleton is challenging Republican state Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, who was leading slightly with more than 67% of the votes counted Wednesday morning.

Middleton’s fellow Councilmember Christy Holstege is running against Republican Assemblymember Greg Wallis in the 47th Assembly District, spanning the Coachella Valley and high desert. Holstege held a slim lead Wednesday morning with nearly 72% of the vote counted.

All three districts became more competitive after state redistricting efforts in 2021 added the largely progressive Coachella Valley to voting areas that used to center around conservative Inland Empire suburbs.

That’s key because Palm Springs and other cities in the Coachella Valley are not only Democratic strongholds, but they also are home to well-heeled and well-organized LGBTQ communities. Rollins, a gay man; Middleton, a transgender woman, and Holstege, who is bisexual, would increase LGBTQ representation in California. 

But their campaigns centered less around identity politics than nuts-and-bolts issues, such as public safety, roads and business. CalMatters explored how those kitchen-table topics shaped the race between Ochoa Bogh and Middleton, who would be the first transgender legislator in California if she were elected.

Rollins emphasized his national security background. Middleton touted her work funding local roads, bridges and police. And Holstege cited her support for small businesses, affordable housing and clean energy. All three promised to protect reproductive healthcare.

Likewise the incumbents’ campaigns appeared to strike a middle ground. Calvert listed a wide range of legislative priorities, from fielding constituent complaints to supporting cancer treatment and phasing out lab testing of animals. Wallis, whom CalMatters ranks as a moderate Republican, passed bills on transportation and mobile homes. Ochoa Bogh, also listed as a middle-leaning Republican, passed bills to fight child pornography, improve math education and control wild burros.

If the challengers weren't making gender and sexual identity a cornerstone of their campaigns, the incumbents seemed to be aware of the role that LBGBT voters may play.

Calvert had opposed laws supporting LGBTQ rights in the past, but he voted in favor of the 2022 “Respect for Marriage Act,” which affirmed same sex marriage. Calvert said his views have evolved. His critics pointed out that happened the same year he faced Rollins in the newly redrawn district. 

Wallis’ campaign said he was knocking on doors over the weekend to persuade voters that he is the right choice to protect their pocketbooks, schools and streets. Then on Sunday he planned to appear at the Palm Springs Pride Parade.

The California Highway Patrol is boosting efforts to fight car theft, gun violence and other offenses in San Bernardino, where violent crime rates are some of the highest in California.

The surge operation will target stolen vehicles, ghost guns, gang activity and other organized crime, Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week. Special enforcement agents will patrol on the ground and in the air to target stolen vehicles and sideshows, which are late night gatherings where drivers perform high-risk car stunts. The Highway Patrol will add 11 uniformed officers two to three days a week, along with K9 units and investigators.

San Bernardino’s violent crime rate is nearly double the statewide average, its homicide rate is more than three times the statewide average and its vehicle theft rate is one of the highest in the state, Newsom’s office reported.

The city already reduced violent crime by 13% over the past year and expects the state support to help continue that effort, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said.

The Inland Empire has the fewest midwives in California, along with the San Joaquin Valley, the California Healthcare Foundation reported.

Midwives are licensed healthcare providers who assist with prenatal care and births and supplement the state’s dwindling ranks of obstetrician-gynecologists. Midwives must have either a three-year certification or nursing degree to practice.

The Inland Empire and the San Joaquin Valley have 11 midwives per 100,000 births, according to a report released last month. That compares to 84 in Northern California and the Sierra Nevada region, and 55 in the Bay Area. The statewide average is 30. The midwife workforce also lacks diversity, with fewer Latina and Black midwives compared to the percentage of Latina and Black patients they serve.

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