Deborah Klein Lopez

Deborah Klein Lopez graduated from Agoura High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University. Her career experience includes working as a city council member.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was elected to the Agoura Hills City Council in 2018, served as Mayor, and am currently Mayor Pro Tem. I’m running for Assembly in the community where I grew up and raised my children. And I have a proven record fighting for our neighborhoods. I led a ballot measure that secured millions of dollars of stable funding for our public schools and serve as Chair of Clean Power Alliance, the nation’s largest renewable energy provider.

Elected two days before the Woolsey Fire, I led efforts to improve emergency response and streamline recovery. We live in one of the most disaster-prone regions in the nation; I have the experience to make communities more resilient, lower utility bills, and tackle the home insurance crisis.

I’ve worked with small businesses to cut red tape and with first responders to make communities safer. AND I’m a working mom determined to help residents afford to live here. I’ll focus on reducing the high cost of housing and healthcare and improving the economy to create good-paying jobs.

I am the only Assembly District 42 candidate endorsed by:

Los Angeles County Firefighters

Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund

California Nurses Association

California Democratic Party

California Teachers Association

National Latino Peace Officers Association Advocacy

Sierra Club

Climate Action California

Trump is attacking healthcare, women, and our immigrant neighbors. I have the experience and courage to fight back, for the sake of decency and democracy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Addressing the increasing threat of wildfires: As a City Councilmember, I’ve worked alongside firefighters during and after devastating wildfires to streamline disaster management, expand emergency communications, and safely get people back into their homes, schools, and businesses. As the only candidate who has led local, regional, and state public safety efforts, and as the current Chair of the nation’s largest renewable energy provider, I have the experience to strengthen local readiness, invest in modern, fire-safe infrastructure, accelerate our transition to clean energy, and take on those who put profit over people.Expanding access to affordable health care: I will work to lower premiums, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs; push for transparency in medical billing; support prevention and early treatment; strengthen mental health care programs; retain, grow, and diversify our health care workforce; prevent hospital closures; and collaborate with experts and economists on a clear funding mechanism to increase coverage and ensure the longevity of a California health care system that delivers the care we need — without leading families and individuals into debt.Tackling the rising cost of living: I will draw on my experience supporting local business, creating good-paying jobs through workforce development and apprenticeship programs, and expanding community choice energy programs that reduce our dependence on costly oil and gas while lowering utility bills. Also, to ensure that everyone has a stable place to call home, I will work with cities and counties to find the resources needed to appropriately accommodate growth. And I will partner on solutions for the home insurance crisis so homeowners’ most valuable investment is protected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Climate Resilience - As a state, we need to make sure our communities are able to withstand emergencies caused by climate change. Hardening homes and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels are essentials we need to focus on immediately.

Affordability - Our wallets are being stretched further every year. I intend to be a driving force for the solutions that bring our communities economic security so people can thrive, not just survive.

Education - One of the most direct paths to a brighter future is a good education. I will fight to improve our public schools by increasing per-pupil spending and supporting students from kindergarten all the way through college.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

It’s important to listen to and represent all your constituents , build broad coalitions to solve the big issues, and work in earnest every day to restore trust in government.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to lead California in achieving measurable progress on our climate goals, making communities resilient and sustainable, and ushering in a future of electrification.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund

LA County Firefighters Local 1014

California Nurses Association

California Teachers Association

National Latino Peace Officers Association Ventura County

Sierra Club of California

California Democratic Party

California Federation of Labor Unions

California Women’s List

Equality California

US Senator Alex Padilla

US Senator Adam Schiff

Congresswoman Julia Brownley

Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (AD 42 incumbent)