Chris Barrera (Mayor of Salinas, California, candidate 2024)

Chris Barrera

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Mayor of Salinas

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Personal

Birthplace

Salinas, Calif.

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Chris Barrera ran for election for Mayor of Salinas in California. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Barrera completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Chris Barrera provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 13, 2024:

• Birth place: Salinas, California
• Other: Salinas High
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Business Owner
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Together We Can
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

General election for Mayor of Salinas

Chris Barrera, Dennis Donohue, and Ernesto Gonzalez Garcia ran in the general election for Mayor of Salinas on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Chris Barrera (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Dennis Donohue (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ernesto Gonzalez Garcia (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Barrera in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Chris Barrera completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Barrera's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Chris Barrera, a proud lifelong resident of Salinas and a dedicated business owner, father, and grandfather. My love for our city inspires my belief in "Service Above Self."

With 20 years at Nob Hill Foods and experience as a union plumber, I understand the value of hard work. Today, as a realtor, I am committed to serving our community with integrity and transparency.

My father, Ted Barrera, a Monterey County Deputy Sheriff, instilled in me values of integrity and dedication to service. My mother’s work with the City of Salinas taught me the importance of a strong work ethic and respect for all individuals. Their legacies inspire my vision for a better Salinas.

Together, let’s uphold the values that define us—integrity, transparency, and love for our city. I’m excited to work with you to build a brighter future for Salinas, where every voice is heard and every neighborhood thrives.

Thank you for your support, Chris Barrera

Candidate for Mayor of Salinas

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• **Public Safety: Our Priority, Your Peace of Mind**

  Public safety is a cornerstone of a thriving community, and I am dedicated to ensuring that our police and fire departments have the resources they need to keep us safe. Our residents deserve top-notch service, and that starts with hiring and retaining skilled officers and firefighters who are committed to protecting us all.

  I will advocate for better support and training for our first responders, because they put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. By investing in our public safety personnel, we can ensure that they have the tools and support necessary to respond effectively to emergencies and serve our community with excellence.
• **Fixing Our Streets: A Commitment to Better Roads** Every day, we rely on our roads to get us where we need to go, but too many of our streets are riddled with potholes and in disrepair. It’s frustrating to drive over bumps and dips that should have been fixed long ago. That's why I’m committed to making our roads safer and smoother for everyone. I believe it’s time for real solutions. Instead of patching potholes just to have them wash away after the next rain, repairs need to be done right the first time. I will work tirelessly to bring in the right team and resources to expedite these repairs, so we can enjoy quality roads that last.
• **Affordable Housing: A Home for Everyone** Finding a place to call home shouldn’t be a struggle, and I am committed to making housing more affordable for our community. I will work tirelessly to support rent stabilization, ensuring that families can stay in their homes without the fear of skyrocketing rents. But we need more than just stabilization—we need more housing options! By collaborating with contractors and streamlining the approval process, I will help bring new, affordable housing developments to our area. This means more choices for families, more opportunities for individuals, and a stronger community overall. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public Safety, infrastructure, affordable housing

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Important qualities for an elected official include:

• • Integrity**: Being honest and transparent, so people can trust them.
    
  • Accountability**: Taking responsibility for their actions and listening to the community's concerns.
    
  • Empathy**: Understanding and considering the diverse backgrounds and experiences of constituents.
    
  • Vision**: Having a clear plan for the future and inspiring others to work toward shared goals.
    
  • Communication Skills**: Effectively sharing ideas and policies while also listening to the public.
    
  • Commitment to Public Service**: Putting the community's needs first and focusing on their well-being.
    
  • Collaboration**: Working well with others to achieve common objectives.
    
  • Problem-Solving Skills**: Analyzing issues and coming up with practical solutions.
    
  • Respect for the Rule of Law**: Upholding laws and advocating for fairness.
    
  • Adaptability**: Being open to change and willing to adjust plans as needed.
    
    

These qualities help ensure that elected officials represent their communities effectively and contribute positively to society.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Being responsive to our community's needs. This means ensuring that safety is at the forefront of our efforts, advocating for affordable housing programs for both our youth and seniors, and making sure our roads are smooth and free of potholes.

Listening to your concerns and taking action to create a community that is safe, welcoming, and accessible for all. Together, we can build a better future for everyone.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I want to leave is one where every resident feels that the city is truly working for them. I envision a community where your daily lives are easier and better, with increased access to recreational services, improved response times from our Police and Fire Departments, and smooth, well-maintained roads.

Your comfort and safety are my top priorities, and I am committed to making our city a place where everyone can thrive. Together, we can create a vibrant community that meets your needs and enhances your quality of life.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Here’s a concise list with bullet points and minimal unnecessary characters:

1. 1. 1. Labor
         

- Central Labor Council
- UFCW Local 5
- SEIU #521
- IBEW 234
- Plumbers & Pipefitters 62
- MCSC Trades
- Teamsters 856
- UFW
- Sheet Metal Workers
- UNITE HERE 19
- IATSE 611

1. 1. 1. Political
         

- CA Rent
- Democratic Renters
- MCDCC
- MC Progressives
- Public Water Now

1. 1. 1. Education & Community
         

- Future Leaders
- MC Weekly
- Hartnell Faculty

1. 1. 1. Law Enforcement
         

- Salinas Police

 - Manny Martinez, Chief (Ret.)

- Monterey Sheriff

 - Lonnie Heffington (Ret.)

 - Terry Heffington (Ret.)

 - Garrett Sanders, Chief Deputy

1. 1. 1. Elected Officials
         

- **Salinas City Council**

 - Jyl Lutes (Ret.)

 - Andrew Sandoval

 - Carla Gonzalez

- Orlando Osornio

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that transparency and accountability are essential for building trust in our community. As your elected official, I will ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly and that all financial documentation is easily accessible to everyone.

We need to clearly show progress on our projects and be responsive to your concerns. You deserve to know how your money is being spent and what advancements are being made in our community. Together, we can create an open and accountable government that works for you.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Mayor of Salinas

Website