Michael Inzunza in conversation with Chula Vista Today

CHULA VISTA.- Michael Inzunza, candidate for the Third District of Chula Vista, anticipated that if elected, he will protect families and neighborhoods and provide care to the homeless.

Below are their responses to the questions presented through a written questionnaire:

1. How do you think you can help the City of Chula Vista if you are favored by the citizen vote in the March 5 Elections?

 I am the only candidate born in Chula Vista and raising my children in our public schools, this is my home. I serve as a City Commissioner and I have decades of experience working in government, education and public service. I will be the consensus builder that will help the city council and mayor work together for the betterment of our residents. 

2. What are your mains electoral campaign proposals?

My first priority will always be to protect our families and neighborhoods. While we need to provide compassionate care for homeless folks with mental health services, drug rehabilitation and temporary shelters, we cannot allow assaults, home break-ins, prostitution and drug use to escalate in Chula Vista. I will support encampment bans to prevent the homeless from tenting in front of our homes, schools and parks. We need to provide safe designated sleeping zones to allow social workers the ability to track cases and support law enforcement to keep our streets safe. The city also needs to begin real efforts in providing affordable housing for our residents so that our work force like teachers, nurses and construction workers can live and work in our community.  

3. What has been the response you have received to your electoral campaign from the community of Chula Vista?

I am incredibly humbled that hundreds of residents have contributed to my campaign and have put their trust in me to lead Chula Vista. I have knocked on the doors of over 6,000 homes to listen to their needs and pay attention to what our residents really want. I feel that they have confidence in our campaign because they see how much I love Chula Vista and how dedicated I am to fix problems that have been ignored. 

4. What do you think that are the bigger problems of the district that you will represent if you are favored by the citizen vote?

The most significant problem specifically in District 3 is the lack of police. I will ensure that we will hire more police officers to stop people running through red lights 80mph and stop snatch and grabs in local stores putting residents at risk. We need to ensure that our residents always feel safe in school, in our parks and at home when they sleep at night. 

5. What number (amount) of population are there in your district?

Approximately 80,000

6. How is your district made up regarding to ethnics groups: white, latino-hispanic, black an others?

We have a beautiful make up of a variety of ethnic groups that makes our Chula Vista community more welcoming, accepting of different languages and culturally diverse with incredible cuisine! 

7. I know the great weight that the great political legacy left by your father, Ralph Inzunza Sr., means to your family and naturally you. How do you think this teaching has helped you in your political training?

There is no weight on me because I come from a family of support and love. I want to continue the legacy of civic service that my mother and father started together 50 years ago in 1975 when they were elected to the San Ysidro School Board and when my uncles and brothers were also elected to serve our South Bay communities. As a family of fronterizos, we have made it our responsibility to serve others with justice, dignity and love. 

8. Anything else you’d like to add?

I am endorsed by Congressman Juan Vargas, Senator Steve Padilla, the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, the San Diego County Democratic Party and every single city democratic club in the South Bay. My wife and I were both born in Chula Vista and we are raising our teenagers in our local public schools. I have served as a San Diego County Commissioner for Children, Youth and Families, a Chula Vista City Commissioner and professionally I work as a public schools education advocate with the state legislature to ensure public school districts are adequately funded and bills are supported to provide critical services for students and teachers. I am the only hometown born and raised candidate that will prioritize public safety and protect our families. 

 What schools did you go to? Elementary, Middle, High School, University, etc. and what career did you graduate in? 

Rohr Elementary School in Chula Vista, Colegio Mentor Mexicano in Tijuana Middle School and St. Augustine High School in North Park. I attended San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociolgy and a Master’s Degree in Education.