The race for the District 24 State Senate seat is hotting up, with primary voting taking place in June. The top two candidates with the most votes, irrespective of party, go through to the final leg of the race—the November 2026 mid-terms.
There’s a lot at stake. Not least because there’s a strong chance that, with at least eight democrats in this primary splitting the vote, the top two could easily be Republicans. The same potential scenario is happening in the race for Governor. Democrats are understandably nervous.
Democrat Dr. Sion (known as Shy) Roy was in Topanga at the weekend meeting, greeting and answering questions at Mountain Mermaid during an event organized by Susan Nissman, Dorothy Reik, and Alisa Hill.
Susan Nissman urged the more than 50 people who turned up on a Sunday afternoon to hear what Dr. Roy had to say to vote for him.
“Of all the Democratic candidates running for this seat, one of them stands out more than all the others, Dr. Sion Roy,” said Susan. “He’s a man with a lifetime of service and a record of positive solutions. And that’s undoubtedly why he received the California Democratic Party’s endorsement last month with over 60 percent of district delegates casting their votes for him. He has dedicated himself to finding solutions that help shape policies that prioritize the well-being of all residents.”
Roy’s resumé is impressive. He’s a cardiologist at Harbor-UCLA hospital, a professor of medicine, and a trustee of Santa Monica College (currently serving as vice-chair), a husband and a father.
The Roy family lost their home in Malibu’s Big Rock neighborhood in the Palisades Fire. “I saw our community come together to help families,” said Roy. “I know that when there are tough times, people come together and accomplish things that you never thought could be possible. I saw it, my family felt it, and I hope to take that experience up to Sacramento.”
He has the full support of his wife, Dr. Kathy Ruchalski, a radiologist at UCLA. The couple hasn’t fully worked out how they will manage the upheaval of his moving to Sacramento if he wins, but Dr. Roy would have to leave his job at Harbor-UCLA, yet their eight-year-old son, Kiran, would continue to go to school in Malibu. “The work week in Sacramento is Monday to Thursday,” said Roy, “so I could still see patients on a Friday and Saturday. We’ll figure it out.”
Dr. Sion Roy is smart, warm, empathetic and compassionate. He’s also passionate about integrity, which he promises to take to Sacramento if elected.
“I’ve spent my life taking care of families affected by homelessness, by having family members in prison through drug addiction and mental health issues,” said Roy. “And what I know is that our safety net has a problem. I have been president of the LA County Medical Association and the reason I’m running for State Senate is to help shore up that safety net.”
These are the issues Roy is campaigning on and has pledged to work to achieve:
INVEST IN EDUCATION for pre-K, K-12, colleges, universities and career training.
COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE and reduce emissions by investing in renewable energy sources.
SUPPORT WILDFIRE RECOVERY by making it easier to rebuild homes and reopen businesses.
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES by cutting red tape and streamlining permit approvals.
IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY and work to reduce the costs of gas, groceries and utilities.
EXPAND HEALTHCARE ACCESS, strengthen Medi-Cal and increase funding at local clinics. Working at a county hospital, Dr. Roy has witnessed first-hand how health spending cuts have devastated communities with 40 percent of patients losing access to Medi-Cal.
STOP COASTAL OIL DRILLING that can lead to oil spills, habitat destruction and dirty beaches.
PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS and civil rights against the Trump Administration’s assaults.
STAND UP TO TRUMP and protect our elections, environment and immigrant communities. As the son of immigrants, Roy strongly opposes the ICE raids.
