Kristine Scott, Councilman, 2nd District, Rancho Cucamonga
As part of Inland Valley News’ Your Vote, Your Voice election coverage, the newspaper is introducing candidates seeking local office in the Nov. 3 general election.
Kristine Scott, who has represented District 2 on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council since 2018, is seeking another term against retired law-enforcement officer David VanGorden. Scott, a resident of the district for more than a decade, is campaigning on public safety, responsible growth and the city’s long-term fiscal and economic strength.
Scott appears on the ballot as “Rancho Cucamonga Councilmember,” according to the city’s candidate list.
Scott said she first ran in 2018 because she wanted to give back to a community that had given her a great deal. She also believed her background in public affairs and community involvement could bring a practical perspective to the council.
“For me, public service has always been about listening, bringing people together and getting things done,” Scott said in her response to Inland Valley News’ candidate questionnaire.
Public Safety First
Scott named public safety, managing growth responsibly, and long-term fiscal and economic strength as the city’s three most important issues. She selected economic development, public safety and crime prevention, and infrastructure and transportation as her top priority areas for her next term.
If re-elected, she said her first priority would remain public safety. She said police and fire services need the staffing, technology and resources to keep pace as the city grows.
“Public safety must remain our highest priority,” she said.
She tied that priority to fiscal management. She said long-term planning would let the city sustain its services while investing in infrastructure and supporting the local economy.
Managing Growth
On development, Scott said new projects must be supported by the infrastructure and services the community needs, while preserving residents’ quality of life.
Asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 5 how heavily the city budget should be weighted toward public infrastructure improvements, Scott chose 4.
On the economy, she said the city should attract and keep businesses and good-paying jobs, support existing businesses, and make responsible financial decisions so it can continue providing high-quality services.
Eight Years on the Council
Scott said her time on the council since 2018 has given her firsthand experience balancing residents’ immediate needs with the city’s long-term needs. She also cited more than 25 years in public affairs, working with local governments, businesses and community organizations across the Inland Empire.
She serves on several regional boards, including Omnitrans, Inland Action, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County. She said that work has broadened her perspective on transportation, economic development and regional cooperation. Locally, she has served as president of the Rancho Cucamonga Library Foundation.
“Most importantly, I have a record residents can look at,” she said.
Engaging Residents Early
Scott said making residents feel heard starts with being present in the community: at neighborhood meetings, community events, local businesses and in one-on-one conversations. She said engagement should begin early, especially on projects with significant community impact. She also said residents should get clear information about what is being considered and how to take part.
“Even when we may not agree on every issue, residents deserve to know their concerns were heard, considered and treated with respect,” she said.
Endorsements
Scott’s questionnaire lists a broad slate of endorsements. They include public safety groups: the Rancho Cucamonga Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 2274), local sheriff’s deputies, and the Police Officers Research Association of California’s Inland Empire chapter. They also include several building-trades unions, among them the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, LiUNA! Local 783 and Ironworkers locals. On the business side, she lists the Inland Empire Business PAC, the Inland Valleys Association of Realtors and NAIOP Inland Empire. Her elected endorsers include state Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Assemblymember James Ramos, County Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, District Attorney Jason Anderson, Mayor Dennis Michael and the rest of the current City Council.
Beyond the Ballot
Scott said she is a regular at Raw Cantina. Her favorite community event is National Night Out, which she said builds relationships between neighbors, law enforcement and firefighters. She takes her coffee at Klatch Coffee. She recommends that everyone visit the Second Story & Beyond children’s museum. She said she usually listens to local news and current events podcasts.
One thing voters may not see in her campaign materials, she said, is her rescue dog, George, whom she adopted from the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Center. She said she often walks him or takes him to obedience class, and that he’s a reminder of why she supports the Animal Center.
Asked for one word friends and family would use to describe her, she chose “loyal.”
Her Message to Voters
Scott said she hopes residents will say she listened, was accessible, cared about the community and worked hard every day to make Rancho Cucamonga better.
“It has been an honor to serve Rancho Cucamonga,” she said. “I remain committed to listening, being accessible and working hard to keep our community safe, financially strong and a great place to call home. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving you and our community.”
