A recent article by Jeff Horseman about poor election turnout in the Inland Empire got the numbers right, but those of us who’ve lived here know the values behind those numbers have always been a part of our story.

The Inland Empire is changing—and fast. New voter registration data shows Republican registration outpacing Democrats in over 30 local cities since 2020, with Perris reporting a 49% GOP surge as of June 2025. Meanwhile, San Bernardino and Riverside counties flipped in the recent presidential contest. The numbers are clear—but more than data, they reflect a community seeking stability, good-paying jobs, quality schools, and safer neighborhoods.

Growing up poor on the reservation, I built my life on the same values that bind Inland Empire families: faith, hard work, and commun

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