FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2026
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Erika Brink
(951) 553-3561
New Polling in District 23 Shows Public Lands Have Incredibly Strong Bipartisan Support in the High Desert
In the newly re-drawn CD-23, registered voters across the party spectrum expressed support for public lands and pro-public lands members of Congress
BARSTOW, CA — A new poll out today revealed that public lands are extremely important to voters across the political spectrum in California’s 23rd Congressional District (CA-23). Public lands polled as an important issue both in voters’ personal lives and when thinking about their member of Congress. The survey showed protecting public lands is an important issue for voters of all party persuasions. They regularly visit these places and are concerned about their maintenance and accessibility.
“Supporting policies that protect public lands, and opposing policies that harm them, unites Californians across the political spectrum,” said Dan Judy, Vice President, North Star Opinion Research. “Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike all visit public lands. This survey confirmed that public lands are one of the rare issues bringing Americans together. Public lands are broadly popular: 89% of voters are more favorable to a member of Congress who supports funding to take care of these places.”
The poll, conducted by North Star Opinion Research, surveyed 400 registered voters in the new CA-23, which spans most of San Bernardino County from Lake Arrowhead and Barstow to the Nevada and Arizona borders. The district covers much of the Mojave Desert, including the Mojave National Preserve, beloved Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks, and National Forest and Wilderness. North Star Opinion Research is a national public opinion research firm that conducts surveys and focus groups for associations, non-profits, corporations, and Republican candidates for office at all levels.
“Our public lands bring us all together,” said Krystian Lahage, Public Policy Officer, Mojave Desert Land Trust. “From Joshua Tree National Park to the Mojave National Preserve, there are so many places in the California desert to explore. I hear all the time from local residents about the incredible experiences they have had in these places. It’s no wonder that protecting our public lands is so broadly popular.”
Among the key findings of the poll are the following:
- 62% of CA-23 voters visit public lands at least a few times per year.
- 90% of voters oppose proposals to sell off public lands to private interests and cut off use, including 79% who are ‘strongly opposed.’
- 80% of voters say it is a bad idea to reduce funding and staffing for public lands, including 69% of Republicans and 77% of independents.
- 84% of voters, including 74% of Republicans and 84% of independents, say that protecting and preserving public lands and access is an important issue for their vote for Congress this year.
- 89% of voters are more favorable to a member of Congress who supports funding to take good care of our public lands, including facilities and park rangers.
“Bottom line, protected public lands are good for our economy and our way of life in the High Desert region,” said Iris Ivette Muñoz, President, High Desert Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Places like Death Valley National Park and the Mojave National Preserve attract visitors who shop in local businesses. Keeping this economic engine strong is important to all of us.”
CA-23 contains some of the most popular public lands in California, including parts of both Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, the Mojave National Preserve, Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails and Castle Mountains National Monuments, and part of the San Bernardino National Forest. Residents and visitors come to public lands throughout the district to recreate in BLM OHV areas like Johnson Valley and Dumont Dunes and to traverse segments of historic trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and Mojave Trail.
“We know many veterans turn to public lands, not only for their well-being, but as a restorative practice,” said Barry Scanlan, Mil-Tree Veteran Project board member and US Marine Corps veteran. “Even a short hike can be healing. As a veteran, I learned the importance of protecting our parks, monuments, and public lands.”
This survey of 400 registered voters in California’s 23rd Congressional District was conducted June 16-22, 2026. The margin of error for the full sample is ±4.9%.
For more information, see here.
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About the Power in Nature Coalition
Power in Nature is a statewide coalition of over 500 community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, Indigenous organizations, and Tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power in Nature coalition has identified more than a hundred potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues, including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information, visit PowerInNature.org.
About North Star Opinion Research
North Star Opinion Research is a national public opinion research firm based in Alexandria, VA. Founded in 1991, the firm conducts surveys and focus groups across the country for associations, non-profits, corporations, and Republican candidates for office at all levels. Roll Call, a widely read newspaper on Capitol Hill, calls the firm “one of the best in the nation,” and the firm has been recognized by the bipartisan American Association of Political Consultants as its “Pollster of the Year” as well as winning the “Public Affairs Campaign of the Year” award in 2012.
