Jorgel Chavez (Bell Gardens City Council At-large, California, candidate 2024)

Jorgel Chavez

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Bell Gardens City Council At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Associate

Long Beach City College, 2018

Bachelor's

University of Southern California, 2021

Graduate

University of Southern California, 2021

Personal

Profession

Organizer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Jorgel Chavez ran for election to the Bell Gardens City Council At-large in California. Chavez was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

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

Biography

Jorgel Chavez provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 11, 2024:

• High school: Bell Gardens High School
• Associate: Long Beach City College, 2018
• Bachelor's: University of Southern California, 2021
• Graduate: University of Southern California, 2021
• Profession: Organizer
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes
• Campaign slogan: Moving Forward Bell Gardens
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram
• LinkedIn

Elections

General election

General election for Bell Gardens City Council At-large (2 seats)

Incumbent Gabi Gomez, Jorgel Chavez, Isabel Guillen, and Michael Reveles ran in the general election for Bell Gardens City Council At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Gabi Gomez (Nonpartisan)
		Jorgel Chavez (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Isabel Guillen (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Michael Reveles (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

To view Chavez's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Chavez in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jorgel Chavez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chavez'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.

Hello, I am Jorgel Chavez, a dedicated public servant running for re-election to the Bell Gardens City Council. Raised in Bell Gardens, I’ve always been passionate about improving the lives of those in my community. My campaign is focused on issues that matter most to our residents, like affordable housing, public safety, job growth, and expanding access to technology. I’m committed to strengthening rent stabilization policies, increasing senior programs, and providing more resources for homelessness services.

I earned both my Master’s in Public Administration and Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Southern California, with a minor in Communications Policy and Law. This academic background has given me a deep understanding of how to shape policies that can positively impact our city. I’ve been honored to serve on the city council and want to continue working on behalf of Bell Gardens to make it a more inclusive, thriving community.

In addition to my work on the council, I’m a proud union member and steward with CWA Local 36047, advocating for workers’ rights and fair wages. This role has strengthened my commitment to social justice and helping working families in our city.

As I seek re-election, my priority is to keep pushing for positive changes that benefit all residents, ensuring Bell Gardens remains a place where everyone can succeed.

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?

• Affordable Housing & Tenant Protections: I’m committed to strengthening rent stabilization and just cause eviction policies to protect tenants and ensure that affordable housing remains accessible to all Bell Gardens residents.
• Public Safety & Homelessness Solutions: I’ll continue to advocate for supportive housing and services for the homeless while ensuring our community remains safe with effective, compassionate public safety measures.
• Job Growth & Union Support: I’ll prioritize creating more job opportunities through economic development and promote union apprenticeships, ensuring that working families have access to good-paying, stable careers while highlighting the value of unions in our community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about key areas of public policy that will improve the lives of Bell Gardens residents:

1. Affordable Housing: Strengthening rent stabilization and protecting renters from displacement.
2. Job Growth & Union Support: Creating good-paying jobs through economic development and promoting union apprenticeships.
3. Public Safety & Homelessness: Advocating for compassionate public safety measures alongside supportive housing and services for the homeless.
4. Digital Access: Expanding access to technology and digital literacy programs.
5. Senior Services: Enhancing programs that support the well-being of our seniors.

These priorities will help build a stronger, more inclusive community.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Not really

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

I believe the most important principles are the following: integrity, responsibility, and transparency. All elected officials should serve the people with honesty, empathy, and dedication. Open communication, the ability to listen to constituents, and acting in our community's best interest are crucial. Responsiveness, fairness, and a commitment to the public good are also important guiding principles.

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

As my position seeking city council, my core responsibilities include representing the interests of my community, ensuring that public services are effectively managed, and enacting policies that benefit my residents. Specifically for my community of Bell Gardens, that could mean focusing on housing policies, public safety, and economic opportunities, which reflect my campaign priorities.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I somewhat remember 9/11, at the time I was 4 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I got my first job working at Jack In The Box located on the corner of Florence/Garfield, right in the center of our city. I worked at Jack in the Box over the Summer while in High School and I was the Fryer.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Endorsements

SEIU 2015
SEIU 99
SEIU UHW
Western States Carpenters
ILWU SCDC
ILWU Local 13
ILWU Local 56
LA/OC Building Trades
IBEW Local 11
LiUNA Local 300
UA Local 78
IUPAT Painters District Council 36
Teamsters 396
Teamsters Joint Council 42
CWA SCC
Unite Here Local 11
USW Local 675
Los Angeles County Labor Federation
Workking Familes Party
Democratic Municipals Officials
California Young Democrats
California High School Democrats
Los Angeles County Young Democrats
Los Angeles County Democratic Party
Moms Demand Action
Congressman Robert Garcia
State Senator Lena Gonzalez
Supervisor Janice Hahn
Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco
Bell Gardens Mayor Gabriela Gomez
Bell Mayor Ali Saleh
Maywood Mayor Eddie De La Riva

South Gate Mayor Gil Hurtado

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency is of upmost importance. There cannot be trust without financial transparency. As a city council member, I must ensure that taxpayers' money is used efficiently and that budgets are openly accessible. Accountability in government means being open to public scrutiny, acknowledging mistakes, and taking responsibility.

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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