Candidates running for Chula Vista City Council Seat 4 engage with community residents in a political forum as election day approaches on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
On Sunday, February 18, the Chula Vista Library Civic Center Branch Auditorium hosted a forum where several candidates had agreed to attend and engage with locals. Andrea Cardenas did not agree to attend Sunday’s forum.
And on Monday, February 19, Andrea Cardenas resigned from her position amid criminal charges, including money laundering.
Sunday’s forum covered topics such as gun laws, public safety, civic engagement, and more.
In attendance were the following candidates, who all discussed topics they care about and stated their main objectives on what they would prioritize if elected into the Chula Vista City Council Seat 4 position.
Christine Brady, a Registered Democrat, Served on the Cultural Arts Commission in 2022.
Brady says that joint lease agreements between the city and academic districts must work together to become a city offering several outdoor activity opportunities.
“The first thing I would do is try to open up the Otay River Shelter. The second thing I would do is jumpstart joint lease agreements between the city and the school districts. The city has built buildings, developed them, and has leases that are valid through 2028, and yet they need access to playing or softball fields. These facilities should be available to the youth of this community, and we need to open up a shelter.”
Delfina Gonzalez is a union organizer and a registered Democrat.
Gonzalez says that one of her priorities is to make the city of Chula Vista a college town, something that has been a popular topic in recent years.
“I want to ensure that we bring University City to Chula Vista. My daughter’s ride to San Diego State University takes 40 minutes. She was born and raised here. I want someone like her to study here locally, which is important for our youth. They were born and raised here; they love to live here, so let’s ensure they stay and get their education here.”
Cesar Fernandez is an elementary school district trustee and a registered Democrat.
One of Fernandez’s main objectives is to invest in education and emphasize career-building to help future generations find employment within their native city of Chula Vista.
We will start working on pathways to hospitality and tourism for everything that will happen with the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center project. There’s going to be 4,000 jobs over there. I want our kids to have priority access to training for those jobs so that they could be working here and living here in Chula Vista five years from now, ten years from now, and even 20 years from now.”
Rudy Ramirez is a former city council member and registered Democrat.
The Former council member says that providing affordable child care would be something he’d like to see Chula Vista be more invested in going forward.
“Affordable child care is something that the city of Chula Vista, from my recollection, has not been involved with, but they should be. The city should be looking for resources and regulating and actually helping establish places where affordable child care could be provided.”
José Sarmiento, Bank Manager, and a Registered Democrat.
The young Democrat candidate says his experience in social work makes him qualified for this position and that he would prioritize supporting nonprofits, particularly local children, for the betterment of the city of Chula Vista.
“I’ve been doing social work for over 20 years. People come to me; people continue to come to me. Citizens always say, ‘You’re doing the work, so why don’t you just run?’ And so I did. The kids, it all starts with the kids,” said Sarmiento. “If we offer opportunities through nonprofits, it will help keep the kids during summer time, offer partnership programs, learn instruments programs, and more.”
Shortly after Andrea Cardenas’ resignation on Monday, Cesar Fernandez released a statement on her announcement. Fernandez is considered the leading Democrat in the race to replace Andrea Cardenas as Councilmember for southwest Chula Vista.
“This is a pivotal moment for Chula Vista and an opportunity for us to start fresh. I believe Councilmember Cardenas made the right decision by stepping down so the residents of District 4 can focus on what really matters: keeping our community safe and affordable and fighting for Southwest Chula Vista’s fair share from City Hall that has been long overdue.”