Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: John Douglas Warren

Current job title: Account Supervisor and Creative Lead at Antarra Communications

Political party affiliation: Non-Partisan

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Stanton Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioner and Orange County Parks Commissioner District 4

City where you reside: Stanton

Campaign website or social media: warrenforstanton.com

How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Stanton must adopt a balanced approach that promotes smart growth while protecting neighborhood integrity to meet housing demand. The state’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) requires Stanton to plan for 1,231 new units out of the 183,861 expected countywide by 2028. This necessitates prioritizing affordable housing projects on underutilized land, particularly near transit and commercial areas, to minimize disruption to established neighborhoods. We can finance affordable units by leveraging state grants and public-private partnerships without sacrificing quality. Furthermore, incorporating green space, improved infrastructure, and community input ensures that new developments enhance, rather than detract from, the quality of life for all residents. A recent example is Stanton’s work to convert three motels into 152 permanent supportive housing units through Project Homekey, which has nearly fulfilled the RHNA requirement of 165 units of very low-income housing. I support continuing this effort as it has reduced crime while introducing much-needed affordable housing.

California is working toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Where does climate change fall in your list of priorities? How, if at all, would you address this as a councilmember? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

With my experience as a Stanton and Orange County parks commissioner, working toward a more resilient and sustainable future is a major priority. District 4 has only one of Stanton’s 11 parks, and citywide the ratio is 0.98 acres of park space per 1,000 residents. As a councilmember, I will advocate for expanding urban forestry, developing new parks and addressing urban heat island effects. By prioritizing solar energy installations, promoting energy efficiency and enhancing green infrastructure, we can reduce our carbon footprint while improving public health. Investing in these initiatives aligns with California’s net zero carbon goals and ensures a healthier, more equitable future for all Stanton residents.

How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Balancing debt reduction, building reserves and meeting residents’ needs requires strategic fiscal responsibility. Stanton benefits from lower public safety pension liabilities as a cash contract city with the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff’s Department. In District 4, several underutilized vacant properties currently act as attractive nuisances, but with responsible development, they could be transformed into valuable revenue-generating assets. Revitalizing these sites would secure new revenue, reduce blight and enhance the community. This approach, combined with carefully paying off or refinancing high-interest debts and prioritizing long-term investments that generate cost savings, will help us maintain a healthy reserve and safeguard against economic downturns.

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Stanton’s most pressing need is public safety. Violent crime has increased from a historical low of 95 incidents pre-pandemic to 177 in 2023, an 86% rise, accompanied by a similar increase in property crime. Similarly, our neighbor to the north, Anaheim, has experienced a 102% rise in violent crime during the same period. In Stanton’s District 4, homelessness is the most visible issue. With the recent overturning of Grants Pass v. Johnson by the U.S. Supreme Court and the related state executive order, I aim to leverage the Stanton Sheriff’s Department to enforce common-sense safety measures while continuing to support efforts that help individuals transition off the streets. Meanwhile, Districts 1 and 2 face a growing issue with prostitution, due to SB 357, which decriminalized penal code section 653.22, or loitering “”with the intent to engage in prostitution,” leading to a direct increase in such activities in Stanton. Whether addressing crime, homelessness or prostitution, these challenges pose significant public safety costs that directly affect residents and take away from potential community investments.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

As a third-generation resident, I bring 18 years of community service to Stanton, with deep community ties and a proven track record of leadership.

My commitment to public service began in 2006 while working on my Eagle Scout project for the city of Stanton. I currently serve as a Stanton commissioner, where I was chair for five years, as well as a county commissioner and a board member of the Stanton Community Foundation and the Stanton Lions Club. My academic background includes a degree in public administration from Cal State Fullerton where I graduated magna cum laude.

This combination of experience, education and long-standing dedication to Stanton gives me an awareness of our city’s key challenges, history and opportunities. I believe in making Stanton a welcoming home for future generations, just as it has been for my family. I am committed to ensuring that all residents are heard, enhancing transparency in government and improving accessibility to city services. I also recognize the importance of continued multilingual support and outreach to our diverse community. I aim to foster unity where every resident feels valued and supported.

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