At the Boeing Center at Tech Port on Friday, four candidates engaged in a heated debate to succeed outgoing Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, who has held the District 4 seat since 2019 and is now running for mayor. Following her endorsement of Edward Mungia, a former staff member, the debate highlighted significant community concerns such as stray dogs and illegal dumping, which many candidates believe are more severe issues on the city’s Southwest side.

Candidate Positions

During the debate, Mungia presented himself as a defender of the district’s advancements on longstanding issues. He emphasized the positive developments by stating, “District 4 will not just be defined by our problems,” while showcasing community projects as examples of progress.

Contrasting Mungia’s viewpoint, Johnathon Cruz, principal of McNair Middle School, argued that low voter participation and ongoing issues indicate a need for new leadership. He stated, “There is a clear inequity of city services within District 4 regarding these issues of stray dogs and homelessness,” expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of significant progress.

Ernesto Arrellano Jr., a former trustee with South San ISD, advised that improvements in education and job opportunities indicate the district is on a positive trajectory. He highlighted the need for young residents to access the growing job market and educational resources in the area.

Small business owner Jose “Pepe” Martinez criticized the current leadership’s failure to attract high-paying jobs and emphasized the importance of economic development for improving quality of life. He remarked, “In the past decade, we’ve had leadership in District 4 that is not focused on economic development.”

Gregorio De La Paz, unable to attend the debate, shared his vision for the district through a questionnaire, emphasizing his commitment to service.

Campaign Dynamics

As the May 3 election approaches, early voting is scheduled from April 22 to April 29. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two candidates will occur on June 7.

Currently, Mungia leads in fundraising, with over $25,000 raised, followed by Cruz with $11,105. Martinez has not raised contributions but has self-funded his campaign. Arrellano did not submit a campaign finance report, and De La Paz reported no fundraising activity.