By Dianne Anderson

Competition is heating up as candidates now push into the last stretch of the race to get that top-two spot this June 2 Primary for the November general election.

In Assembly District 65, three challengers are circling around the extreme pressure of housing costs and strain on working families, the gaps in healthcare access, public safety, and the hunt for good-paying jobs.

Dr. Ayanna Davis: Assembly District 65

Ayanna Davis points to the rising cost of living in housing, rent, groceries, and gas, as the district’s most urgent issue. She said the “systemic flaw” demands action in Sacramento so full-time workers can afford to live, not just get by.

High on her agenda are healthcare affordability, preserving union jobs, and ensuring economic growth benefits workers rather than corporations.

Davis supports cutting red tape to step up affordable housing construction, expand shelters and mental health services to address homelessness. She cites the Compton Unified School District’s plan to build roughly 800 affordable units on unused land.

Davis, a Compton Unified School District trustee, spent more than 15 years serving as an educator and principal. During her tenure, she said the school district hit higher graduation rates and test scores during her tenure.

She also serves on the executive board of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, an affiliate of Teamsters Local 2010.

“In the Assembly, I’ll fight to raise wages, improve workplace protections, and expand healthcare and retirement benefits for the workers in our state. This includes making sure that Black and Brown community members have access to career and technical trades, apprenticeships, and certificated programs in health care programs,” she said.

On early education reform, she is calling for full funding, higher teacher pay, and expanded preschool technology and STEAM programs to close achievement and school readiness gaps.

“Building a more equitable public education system, specifically focusing on early education, will be another one of my top priorities in the State Assembly. Too many of our early education programs are under-funded and under-staffed,” said Davis, who holds advanced degrees from USC and California State University campuses, including a doctorate in educational leadership from USC.

Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen: Assembly District 65

Putting community first is important to Eugene Allen, as he sees the community as family.

“The truth is, working families are struggling. It’s harder than ever to afford housing, healthcare, and the basics. I’m running to make sure that California works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. I’ll fight to make housing affordable, ensure good jobs are within reach, and create safer communities where families can thrive,” he said on his website.

Allen has served Southern California communities for over 20 years, creating jobs, supported families, and working to lift up those who need it most. In 2001, he founded Dusk to Dawn Urgent Care, the first African American-owned chain of free-standing urgent care centers in California. Today, his network of 10 medical centers sprawls across Los Angeles and Orange Counties, supporting hundreds of jobs and delivering frontline healthcare in underserved communities.

During the pandemic, he provided free COVID-19 testing for the uninsured while coordinating food help for thousands of struggling households. Beyond his medical practice, he invested in local youth, funded academic scholarships and supporting families with special needs through the Saint Vinson Eugene Allen Foundation. His other outreach programs directly target homelessness, transportation, and housing insecurity throughout the 65th District.

Fighting to make housing affordable, ensure access to good jobs, and create safer communities are his policy priorities. Among his honors, his work has earned him the Key to the City of Compton, Ebony Magazine’s “Doctor of the Year,” and the NAACP Humanitarian Award.

“As a father and a community doctor and leader, I know what’s at stake. I’m committed to bringing leadership to Sacramento that puts people first, delivers real results, and gives every family the opportunity to live with dignity and security,” he said on his website.

LaMar Lyons: Assembly District 65

LaMar Lyons is running on his campaign message to impact of stagnant wages and the rising cost of living. He advocates local hiring mandates and fair wages.

On housing, he is pushing to build more affordable homes, create pathways to homeownership, expand trade schools and community college partnerships to lead to good jobs. Affordability is his biggest concern across the district.

“Housing remains one of the most pressing challenges. Many residents are struggling with rent increases, mortgage payments, and the rising costs of transportation, healthcare, and other daily necessities,” said Lyons, a UCLA graduate who earned his law degree from Howard University School of Law.

Public safety needs improvement. He stressed that addressing root causes is critical, including expanding after-school programs, mentorship, and job training to reduce youth involvement in crime.

Lyons’ career has also spanned municipal finance roles at major Wall Street firms, along with work focused on affordable housing, infrastructure, education, transportation, and public works.
He served as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Elihu Harris, who authored the 1981 legislation establishing the Martin Luther King Jr. state holiday in California. He was recognized as the first Black Chief of Staff in the California State Legislature, and currently serves as President of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council.

Lyons also served as UCLA Student Body President, and co-founded the University of California Student Lobby.

If elected, he looks to expand access to trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and community college partnerships to give residents the skills needed to enter higher-paying and more sustainable careers.

“Policies that promote local hiring, fair wages, and community reinvestment can help ensure that growth is inclusive rather than extractive,” he said.

In the 2021 redistricting, Assembly District 65 was shifted out of Long Beach and into southeast Los Angeles County, including Compton and Carson. Local representation now falls primarily to AD-69 and AD-70.

To walk in, drop off signed mail-in ballot, or stand in a booth to vote, see

LA County ROV Locator Map: https://locator.lavote.gov/locations/

For more information on the candidates, see:

Dr. Ayanna Davis https://www.ayannadavis.com/

Dr. Vinson Eugene Allen  https://electdrallen2026.com/

LaMar Lyons https://www.lyonsforassembly.com/