Jennifer Tran
Democrat | California
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jennifer Tran
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 12
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Ph.D, 2019
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, MA, 2015
University of California, San Diego, San Diego, BA, 2010
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
PIVOT - The Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, Executive Director, Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce
President, Oakland AAPI Unite, Steering Committee Member
Grassroots Racial Equity Task Force, Steering Committee Member, New Leaders Council
Institute Co-Chair, Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation, Board Member
Peralta Colleges Foundation, Board Member, East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club
Board Member, Sierra Club, Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Congressperson - House of Representatives, 2024
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (3)
LPAC
Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering (ASPIRE)
California High School Democrats
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
ASPIRE PAC
LPAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
ActBlue (2024)
Asian American Forward (2023)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2023)
Bee Nguyen (2022)
Andrew Yang (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
ActBlue (2024)
Duy Nguyen (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Abortion is a right of every woman and potential mother. It should be allowed to all person(s) up until fetal viability with an additional exception to this limit if the life or health of the person carrying is at risk or in danger.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
The federal government's responsibility is in protecting our rights, and a right to bodily autonomy has been enshrined since our founding, which means that there should be no intervention on the part of the federal government to limit abortion. Abortion, as a reproductive healthcare measure, deserves similar scrutiny that any medical procedure should have, but only insofar as to ensure that it's safe and regulated, not to limit people's choices.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
I will introduce a bill called the Modern Cities Act to modernize public safety, end homelessness, and revitalize our small businesses. Retaining income requires safety, accessible housing, and the opportunity to build wealth to be available to all.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Disagree
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state is meant to ensure protection from religious persecution. The promise of our nation was on the basis of freedom, and the freedom of religion is one of the most important of these protections. It means we should be free to follow any faith, so long as that practice not break any other laws or harm any others. It also means that our government has a responsibility to actively be inclusive of cultures and religions, not favoring one over another.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
When illness the vaccination protects against is a risk to the health and wellbeing of others, and after the vaccination has passed regulatory standards, institutions in the public service, including the government and schools, should require it.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Option A most closely resembles my position on healthcare. However, while I believe healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government, I do believe that elective procedures should be paid out of pocket, which would also allow for a market for private insurers to help patients pay for the elective surgeries.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Israel is important because diplomacy and partnership between nations are the only way that the world can move forward together. Israel, in particular, has a historic relationship with the U.S. that we should remain committed to. Our relationship with Israel may be important, but it doesn't mean we should eschew diplomatic partnerships with other nations in the Middle East, nor that we should ignore wrongdoing on the part of our allies.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
The U.S. military, similar to public safety institutions across the country, is struggling from a lack of modernization that equips our servicemen and women with the resources that they need to thrive, particularly mental healthcare. In addition, there is more transparency to reveal wrongdoing and discrimination, including sexual violence. If the military means to be a competitive career opportunity, they must advance with the times in what they offer our servicemen and women.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
The U.S. needs to find more pathways for refugees and migrants to legally enter, live, and work here, in addition to pursuing citizenship. The crises that are impacting migrants, whether political, economic, or climate related, are in no small part a result of U.S. policies. That, coupled with the dream of America, to be a refuge for all people, should mean that we need to do more to productively engage those who seek a new life here.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Everyone.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
A fundamental tenet of our country and its government is the separation of church and state. We cannot promote any religious definition of marriage. The government should not be restricting marriage of any consenting, age-appropriate adults.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Gender ideology is not the same thing as abuse, grooming or bodily mutilation. Children should be protected and allowed to develop their own identities, including gender identities, hopefully with the support of their family and community.
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Agree
Healthcare is a human right.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised in a Buddhist family in which we did not worship a supreme deity, but instead focused on achieving a state of inner peace, love and wisdom. While I have cultivated my own spiritual relationship over time, I still utilize some Buddhist practices like meditation - to continually develop more awareness and kindness.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
While many of the institutions have been built with racism in their foundations, I believe in a more nuanced intersectional understanding of race in relation to intersectionalism.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Disagree
If the person was born male but does not identify as male, they should use the spaces that conform to their gender identity.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
We must diversify energy sources to not only meet the growing supply but develop alternative, climate-friendly, and more efficient means of energy production. That means a combination of solar, wind, and nuclear sources on top of traditional ones.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Liberal
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to serve the people. Our communities have entrusted us with the management and protection of our country. We have a responsibility not only to our own people but to people of the world in the way we choose to govern and make decisions that impact their lives. We have a duty to safeguard the rights of our people but also create circumstances that allow them to fully express these rights. We have a duty to create an environment in which people thrive not just survive.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Defunding the police has only led to more violence and crime. It's true that the prison industrial complex exists and the mistrust of police by BIPOC communities has been earned by injustices that incurred at a systemic level. But it's also true that we need police in our society, and when police are defunded, it's the poor communities that suffer the most. We need public safety that is comprehensive, a police force with mental health resourcing, and increased accountability.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Gun owners should be required to keep their weapons secured so that they don't fall into the hands of children, be stolen, or be used by others not licensed or registered for that weapon. We should have aptitude tests for gun owners that gauge judgment, mental illness and eyesight. There should be a ban on high-capacity magazines and similar ammunition. Background check requirements should be strengthened and take days, not hours.
