Joy Silver, who lives in Palm Springs and works as an affordable housing adviser/aging issues consultant, is one of two Democrats challenging Republican Incumbent Sen. Jeff Stone for 28th state Senate District seat.

Silver is joined in the effort to oust Stone by Anna Nevenic, also of Palm Springs.

If elected, Silver would represent the expansive 28th District, which is comprised entirely in Riverside County, stretches from the vineyards of the Temecula Valley to the Colorado River and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Wildomar.

1. Exactly why are you running?
We deserve leaders in Sacramento focused on the challenges Riverside
communities face — traffic , affordable housing, healthcare, job training. I’m not a career politician – I’ll bring a fresh perspective to Sacramento and focus on practical solutions that really make a difference. I’ll never lose sight of who government should be serving: taxpayers, not special interests.

My top priorities are expand affordable housing for seniors and tackling Riverside County’s affordable housing crisis; protecting healthcare for families and kids and increasing job training and career education to grow the economy and help students and workers succeed financially.

2. What quality or qualities do you have that you believe your opponent does not? In other words, what sets you apart?

While Sacramento politicians play political games, I’m focused on delivering real results. I spent a career in business serving seniors and providing healthcare so I know how to get things done. I was a top executive at a major medical center. I worked to build senior living communities to help seniors retire with dignity. I have what it takes to
get things done in Sacramento because I’ve done it in the real world.

3. What is your single biggest achievement in political office — outside political office?

I’m a cop’s kid. My dad was a police detective and I grew up working class with my parents working hard every day to provide for our family. After attending public schools, I worked my way up the ladder to become a top executive at a major medical center and spent years helping deliver quality, affordable healthcare to thousands of families. I’m incredibly proud of that and want to do everything I can to help working families
succeed, achieve and thrive.

4. Identify one, just one, time when you rallied opposing viewpoints in support of your plan, proposal, initiative, etc.

I’ve worked in coalition with non-profits, communities and companies on affordable housing projects. Securing the financing, community support and building the political will to deliver on complex housing projects isn’t easy. Together with community stakeholders were able to make progress and complete the project.

5. How much to you expect to spend on your race?

I’m running against an incumbent Sacramento politician. We’re working hard to raise funds because it will be a tough campaign.

6. Who is your political role model and why?

Most people don’t know that Shirley Chisholm was actually the first women to run for President, back in the 1970s. People mocked Ms. Chisholm back then, but she stood proudly for what she believed in and inspired many women. One of her most inspiring statements that’s stuck with me: “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines,
whimpering and complaining.”

7. What are the three most notable endorsements you have received to date?

California Democratic Party, California Teachers Association, Sierra Club of California.

8. Who recruited you, or did you decide to run on your own?

I’m running because I’m tired of being represented by someone in Sacramento who votes against our own interests and opposes critical funding Riverside County needs to reduce traffic, create jobs and protect healthcare for families and kids. I was encouraged to run by so many people in Riverside County who are tired of politics as usual and want new leaders and fresh ideas in Sacramento.

9. Do we need more “gun control” (victim disarmament) laws?

A top priority must be tougher enforcement to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and violent offenders. Unlike my opponent, I support Gun Violence Restraining Orders, which allow prosecutors and law enforcement to ask a judge for emergency rulings to prohibit people who are a danger to themselves, and others, from acquiring guns. In Sacramento, I’ll work to give law enforcement more tools to keep
guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

10. What is the single biggest challenge facing state Senate District 28?

Riverside County still does not get its fair share from State Government. In Sacramento, I’ll fight for the funding we need to address the affordable housing shortage in the County, estimated at over 40,000 units; work to reduce traffic to help improve the quality of life for local residents and fight for more job training and career education programs in our high schools and community colleges. Riverside County families work hard and pay their taxes — they deserve a state government that invests
in their futures and focuses on their needs.