Jacobsen, Barry

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
State Assembly
District:
44
Political Affiliation:
Republican
Phone:
(951) 852-2779
Age:
66
Occupation:
Business Owner
Education:
Some college
Biographical Info:
Barry Jacobsen was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, the son, grandson, nephew and brother of veterans. While attending college in 1978 the Iranian Hostage Crisis inspired him to answer the call to volunteer to serve our great nation. Barry trained for a place at the “tip of the spear”, in the US Army Special Forces, becoming a member of the elite “Green Berets”. He served throughout the Reagan years on various special ops across the globe, combating communist expansion. After leaving the Army, Barry built a career and raised a family. He is the proud father of three and grandfather of three more. Barry’s oldest son is following the family calling, presently serving our country in the US Army. Throughout his life Barry’s been a parachutist, scuba diver, avid backpacker, historian, and writer; and was featured on and involved in the production of the hit television series, “Deadliest Warrior”. He is now prepared to serve his community, friends and neighbors in California’s 44th Assembly District.
Statement:
I’m running for the same reason I volunteered to serve in the US Army all those years ago: I can no longer stand by and watch my home state deteriorate and become a national joke. California was once, in more than just name, the “Golden State”. A place of great opportunity and scenic beauty. Where people came from all over for a fresh start. But of late it’s become the place to flee, not the place to be. For the first time more residents are leaving California than moving here. We all have in us a fight or flight response. I choose not to flee California, but instead to fight for you and this home we all love. My decades of experience as a businessman and small business owner has taught me how the private sector works: how jobs are created and what it takes to build a business. And just as importantly, how to balance a budget: we must stop spending money we don’t have! My years of military service have given me the leadership skills to fight and win the battles ahead for the people of the 44th District.

Survey

Response Legend

  • YYes
  • NNo
  • −Declined to Respond/Undecided, Position Unknown/Unclear
  • *Comment
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Should California amend its Constitution to remove current limitations and codify abortion until birth as a constitutional right? (e.g., Prop 1, 2022) N* The life of the innocent unborn child needs to be protected. As does the rights of the mother. I think a reasonable compromise between those who don't believe in abortion (such as myself) and those who support a woman's abortion rights is a cut-off date of 15 weeks. A pregnant mother should make a decision by that point in her pregnancy, or bring the baby to term; and if she then doesn't wish to raise her child, it can be given-up for adoption. I support later-term abortions ONLY if the LIFE of the mother is threatened.
2. Should California require medical providers to undergo “cultural competency courses” on racial politics and sexual and gender identity to have their license renewed by the state? (e.g., AB 2194, 2022) N* There is no place for politics of any kind in medicine. I own and operate a medical clinic, and in my own professional life politics never intrudes. My opponent, Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, voted for this bill, AB 2194. If elected, I will work hard to repeal this bad legislation. The left has infiltrated most every aspect of American life, and the deplorable insertion of left-wing political dogma and activism into science in general has led to a deterioration of confidence among the American people in the so-called experts; a potentially dangerous development, as at some point we need to have well-educated men and women of science whose opinions can be trusted to be factual and free of political bias. This is particularly true when it comes to our doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.
3. Should California adult citizens be required to pass a background check before buying ammunition? Y* As a military veteran, gun owner and life-long shooting enthusiast, I am a no-compromises defender of the 2nd Amendment. I support the individual's right to bear arms, including semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15. That said, I have no problem with background checks and California's 10 day waiting period. While annoying for both the buyer and the seller, these are reasonable restrictions and should remain in place.
4. Should California require high school students to take an Ethnic Studies course that teaches Critical Race Theory before graduating? N* CRT is a an abomination that turns our children against each other and against our country. It engenders division and racial/ethnic resentment, and has no place in our schools or our society as a whole. I would be ever vigilant in opposition to CRT in any of its manifestations.
5. Should California women’s prisons be required to admit biological males who self-identify as female? N* We are putting female inmates at risk by inserting biological males into female prisons. Where this has been done it has produced deplorable results, such as allegations of rape and pregnancy.
6. Would you (or did you) support requiring all insurance plans to provide elective surgical abortions for free, with no deductibles or copays copays? (e.g., SB 245, 2022) N* Why should abortion be treated any differently than any other medical procedure, other than being more restricted? My opponent, Laura Friedman, voted for this bill, SB 245. I think this is bad legislation, which shifts the burden of paying for abortion to the taxpayers of California, many of which do not believe in abortion. If signed into law, I would work strenuously to repeal SB 245.
7. Should minors age 15 or older be allowed to consent to vaccines without parental permission? (e.g., SB 866, 2022) N* SB 866 is a terrible bill that undermines parental authority and the trust between parents and their children. It is an insidious attack on the rights of the parent to make decisions regarding their children's health and welfare. A child of 15 cannot drive a car; buy alcohol, cigarettes, or firearms; serve in the military; get married; open a bank account; or vote. YET the Democrats, including my opponent Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (who voted for SB 866) think that they can decide to take vaccines, that may have life-altering side effects, without their parents consent or knowledge. If signed into law, I will work tirelessly to overturn SB 866 and fight for the rights and authority of parents.
8. Would you (or did you) support the legalization of loitering for prostitution? (e.g., SB 357, 2022) N* Prostitution is not a "victimless crime", as it is often characterized. The prostitute is themself the victim. We should do what we can as a society to fight human trafficking's and it's offspring, prostitution, in any way possible.
9. Would you (or did you) support the establishment of government-sponsored drug injection centers? (e.g., SB 57, 2022) N* Unlike my opponent, Laura Friedman (who voted for this bill) I do not support taxpayer funded provision of drug paraphernalia for illegal drug use. This is aimed at our burgeoning homeless population, many of which are both mentally ill and drug or alcohol addicted. The answer is not free needles. The answer is laws that get them off the street and into treatment centers; where the mentally ill can get the meds and care they require, and addicts can get be cured of their addiction.
10. Would you (or did you) support legislation prohibiting employers from making hiring decisions based on an employee’s use of cannabis away from the workplace or traces of non-psychoactive cannabis found during drug testing? (e.g., AB 2188, 2022) N* If cannabis use is legal in California, this should not be a factor in hiring. HOWEVER, many jobs require strict sobriety of all kinds. In such cases, it should be left to the employer to make these determinations. Further, if the lives of others could be put at risk by drug or alcohol use on the job, such as an airline pilot or air traffic controller; employers have a duty to randomly test employees at the work place.
11. Should California taxpayers fund transgender treatments for minors, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex-change operations? (e.g., AB 2218, 2020; AB 2521, 2022) N* Such treatment of minors is tantamount to child abuse; and far from being taxpayer funded, these procedures should be outlawed.
12. Should California require Peace Officers to undergo a “bias evaluation” that includes sexual orientation and gender identity? (e.g., AB 2229, 2022) N* This goes to m opposition to CRT in the classroom or anywhere else. The assumption of such training is that our police departments are "institutionally racist", an assertion I categorically deny and oppose. The men and women of law enforcement, including at the highest ranks, are of all racial backgrounds and mixes, and many departments throughout the state are led by African Americans or other minorities, men and women. As for sexual orientation and gender identity, the orientation of an employee or applicant for employment to be a peace officer should be a private matter and not brought to the work place. So long as that person can do the job, and meets objective standards, it should not be an issue. That said, I oppose lowering the standards of training and physical fitness to accommodate a peace officer or trainee's gender. There needs to be one standard of performance that every law enforcement or other peace office meets, regardless of gender.