About Alex
As part of a large immigrant family with five brothers, I learned early on the value of community and collaboration. My dad, Carlos, is an agriculture welder and my mom, Isabel, is a retired Teamster Union cannery worker. Together, they taught me that hard work and a willingness to step up when no one else will is fundamental to building a strong and resilient community.
I carry my parents’ lessons with me as I work to build workforce and economic opportunities for local residents, highlight and address community concerns, and help Merced families thrive in our ever changing economy.
Prior to my current job as the Director of Communications and Public Policy Specialist at the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, I helped residents in the Central Valley navigate complicated state agency processes, organized resource fairs and roundtables to support Central Valley families, and led local legislative efforts to address community needs in the aftermath of the atmospheric floods of 2023 that devastated the neighborhoods of Willowbrook and Planada.
I am an active and engaged member of numerous civic groups and associations that serve Merced residents. I currently serve as a Board Member for the Merced County Arts Council; a Founding Board Member for a Freedom Oasis, a victim’s advocacy group; the Secretary of Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte; a member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced; and a volunteer with the American Red Cross and Merced Fire Department’s Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT).
As a candidate for Merced City Council Member of District 5, I will listen to the residents of district 5 and be your voice on the council.
Why I am Running
I am running to represent Merced City Council District 5 because I am committed to delivering More for Merced — more economic prosperity, more accessible housing, more city infrastructure and services, and more community engagement. Over the past decade in public service, I’ve worked hard to include resident voices in decisions that affect their lives.
The next four years will be a critical time period for Merced. The High Speed Rail Station and the Marketplace at Merced are large developments that will define our future for generations to come. Investments in our community are a good thing; however as we grow Merced, we need to ensure our community has a voice in shaping these important projects.
As your next City Councilmember, I will advocate to increase Merced’s share of state and federal resources, engage residents on the challenges we face, and embrace opportunities to bring investment and smart growth to Merced. Through transparency and an emphasis on our community, I hope to earn and maintain your support through this election and beyond.
I would be honored to earn your support and vote this November 5, 2024.
Volunteer
Share your priorities for our community. How can we get More for Merced? Send me a message with your thoughts or let’s meet up!
My Priorities
Economic Prosperity
- Streamline public projects without cutting corners and raising standards
- Investing in our youth and residents through paid apprenticeship programs to prepare individuals for the global workforce
- Attracting diverse liveable wage jobs through a robust Economic Development Department and partnerships with labor unions and community college
- More accessible and affordable housing for families through a homeownership assistance program
Community Revitalization and Preservation
- A community center that provides youth and seniors with a safe space for programs, events, and climate resiliency during extreme weather events
- An assessment of vacant lots in Merced for the creation of a “Land Bank Program” that returns vacant lots to community beneficial reuse
- Restoration and preservation of natural habitats and native plants along our creeks, while ensuring a plan that addresses flood mitigation and recreational use of our parks
Community Engagement
- Hosting regular office hours in District 5 so residents can learn what’s happening in our town and raise neighborhood concerns
- Open an Office of Communications that will improve access to information on projects and developments that impact our community
- Promoting tourism to capture revenue for community projects
- Strengthening community partnerships to provide crucial and vital services to seniors and youth
Modernizing Our Infrastructure
- Safe walkways and crosswalks for kids and seniors
- Emergency Preparedness Plan that addresses shortfalls in community response to extreme weather patterns and natural disasters
- Redesigning the Parks Master Plan to include a community/resiliency center in District 5
Public and Neighborhood Safety
- Implementation of a park ranger program to ensure our parks are safe and fun for everyone
- Service agreement with Cal Fire and City of Merced to reduce response time to fires
Come Join Us!
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