Kalin Morse seeks Assembly seat

Editor’s note: California will hold its 2024 Presidential Primary Tuesday, March 5. Besides the races for president and the U.S. Senate, to succeed Diane Feinstein, many local races need a primary to determine the November candidates.

The Town Crier is writing about the races for the U.S. Congressional District 41, California Assembly districts (AD) 36 and 47 and the Riverside County Board of Education District 4.

Seven candidates are vying to represent AD 36. The five Democratic candidates are Joey Acuna, Waymond Fermon, Edgard Garcia, Tomas Oliva and Eric Rodriguez. The two Republican candidates seeking a place on the November ballot are Jeff Gonzalez and Kalin Morse. Of the seven candidates, the two receiving the most votes March 5 will be on the November ballot.

Kalin Morse lives in the Imperial Valley. Five generations have made a living from farming their land.

But the state has made it harder for farmers to achieve success, in Morse’s opinion.

“Without our farmers, we would all starve,” Morse wrote in an email to the Town Crier. “Needless to say, we need to protect the agricultural industry and all that it does for society. “

But farming is not in his immediate future. Morse attended Imperial Valley College and earned an associate degree in Computer Information Technology and Social and Behavioral Studies.

He is the director of a nonprofit that seeks to promote wildlife conservation and wildlife habitat conservation in Westmoreland.

His concerns for the future of family farming are embedded in his view of the state’s economic and revenue issues.

“Not a single country has taxed itself into prosperity and it is not going to work here in California,” he wrote. “I have also lost nearly all trust for the current politicians that make this their livelihood. They are not here to look out for us, they look out for themselves.”

Reducing taxes — all taxes including payroll, sales gas and small business — would be his “groundbreaking reform” of government.

“All [of these taxes] increase the cost of living,” he opined. “If elected, I will vote no on any bill that increases the tax burden of Californians and will push to lower taxes instead. “

He also promises to donate the portion of his Assembly salary above the state median salary (excluding expenses necessary to being an Assemblyman).

Morse is running as a Republican. In clarifying his party positions, he does not “… follow the mainstream, right-wing narrative in this country. In other words, he said we need people who protect the rights of all individuals, such as the right to say what you want, be who you want and marry who you want.

“As a Christian, I can have my own personal values, but it is important to remember that my personal beliefs do not restrict the rights of others in this country,” he added.

When asked about homelessness, he responded, “Talking about the homeless problem, we’ll never solve it, because there are some homeless people — that’s the way they want to live.” But for those who do not choose that status, he wants to provide services such as education to allow them to find jobs, income and a different life.

He hopes to bring the Founding Fathers’ core principles back to the to the Republican Party and the California State Assembly.

As of Feb. 17, Morse had received $126,400 in campaign donations, all but $350 from the state Republican Party, but his available cash was $338.

Since then, he has garnered nearly another $150,000 from the state party.