Lauren Cazares (La Mesa City Council At-large, California, candidate 2024)

Lauren Cazares

Nonpartisan

Candidate, La Mesa City Council At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Point Loma Nazarene University

Personal

Religion

United Methodist

Profession

Policy advisor

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Instagram

Lauren Cazares ran for election to the La Mesa City Council At-large in California. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

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

Biography

Lauren Cazares provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 1, 2024:

• Bachelor's: Point Loma Nazarene University
• Gender: Female
• Religion: United Methodist
• Profession: Policy Advisor
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Lauren Cazares for a Clean & Safe La Mesa. Let's Continue to Thrive!
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Instagram

Elections

General election

General election for La Mesa City Council At-large (2 seats)

Kristine C. Alessio, Lauren Cazares, Genevieve Suzuki, and Shawn Townsend ran in the general election for La Mesa City Council At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Kristine C. Alessio (Nonpartisan)
		Lauren Cazares (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Genevieve Suzuki (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Shawn Townsend (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Cazares received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Cazares's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.

• San Diego County Democratic Party

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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

Lauren Cazares is a Policy Advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, focusing on environment, sustainability, education, workforce, small business, and economic development. A lifelong resident of East County, she is committed to her community's future. Before this role, Lauren served as Director of Scheduling for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, gaining seven years of experience in advocacy and organizing.

As the eldest daughter of small business owners and granddaughter of immigrants, Lauren's passion for politics emerged early. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies from Point Loma Nazarene University, graduating Cum Laude as a first-generation college graduate. She is a second generation La Mesa homeowner and lives with her rescue dog Taylor.

Her priorities include supporting small businesses, pedestrian safety, cutting red tape at City Hall, and addressing housing affordability in La Mesa. She believes no one should face homelessness or live on the brink of losing their homes. Lauren also serves on various community boards, advocating for underrepresented voices and striving for a more equitable future for all.

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?

• It should be easy to start a business in La Mesa and one should not be bankrupted by an unfunded government mandate. Lauren Cazares prioritizes enhancing the local economy by supporting small, diverse businesses and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among La Mesans. She advocates for streamlined business regulations and expedited permitting processes to eliminate bureaucratic red tape, creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurs. Additionally, Lauren emphasizes investing in infrastructure and securing state and federal incentives to make East County more attractive. By collaborating with educational institutions & workforce organizations, she aligns curricula with market needs, ensuring residents are prepared for the job market.

• Lauren is dedicated to compassionately addressing homelessness and the need for affordable housing in La Mesa. Homeownership should be attainable for all residents, and Lauren believes that those like her, who grew up in La Mesa and were able to buy homes, should be the norm. She advocates for meeting the Regional Housing Needs Assessment goals, emphasizing that no one should live on the streets or be one paycheck away from losing their home. Lauren aims to strengthen the Climate Action Plan for sustainable development that meets community needs. She is committed to building a La Mesa that reflects community values, supporting economic opportunity and affordable living, while also addressing the City's growing litter problem.
• Public safety and accessibility are critical to Lauren’s vision for La Mesa. She advocates for measures that ensure every resident has access to essential services. Lauren is committed to enhancing pedestrian safety by addressing inadequate lighting and unsafe crosswalks. Her focus includes supporting mental health outreach, like the HOME Program, to respond effectively to crises. By fostering partnerships with local law enforcement and first responders, she aims to build trust and ensure all community members feel secure in their neighborhoods. As La Mesa's population has grown, its Police Force and Fire Departments have not kept pace—a key public safety issue she seeks to address. Lauren is endorsed by Police & Firefighters.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Lauren is passionate about environmental sustainability, economic development, and supporting diverse communities.

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

The most important characteristics for an elected official include honesty, transparency, passion, and a commitment to ethical and equitable governance. Honesty fosters trust between officials and the community, ensuring that constituents can rely on their leaders to provide accurate information and act in their best interests. Transparency is crucial for allowing residents to see how decisions are made and how public funds are spent, promoting accountability in government actions. Passion for serving the community drives elected officials to advocate effectively for residents' needs and to engage meaningfully with constituents. Lastly, a strong commitment to ethics and equity ensures that policies are fair and just, addressing the diverse needs of all community members and working towards a more inclusive society. Together, these principles help create a government that is responsive, trustworthy, and dedicated to the common good.

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

The core responsibilities of someone elected to office in La Mesa include actively listening to community members, balancing the budget responsibly, and ensuring that city government works effectively for the average resident. Listening to constituents is vital for understanding their needs and concerns, enabling elected officials to make informed decisions that truly reflect the community's values. Balancing the budget responsibly ensures that public funds are allocated effectively to support essential services, such as public safety, affordable housing, and small business initiatives.

Additionally, making city government accessible and responsive means removing bureaucratic barriers and streamlining processes, such as permitting, so that residents can easily engage with local services. Ultimately, these responsibilities work together to create a thriving, inclusive community where every La Mesan has the opportunity to succeed.

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

Lauren's first paid gig was as a professional dogsitter, which she did for over a decade until she adopted her own dog, Taylor. In college, Lauren worked at the clothing store Anthropologie and on political campaigns.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. I love it for its unique take on time and choice. The story pulls you in with its gripping mystery and keeps you guessing, which I really enjoy. McAllister does a fantastic job of mixing suspense with emotional depth, exploring relationships and how our decisions shape our lives. I have run a book club for years called the 'Book Babes' and I love thrillers and books with non-linear timelines. I think a lot about how each choice we make can drastically alter the course of our own lives.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

A few key elected leaders that have endorsed me are Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Senator Toni Atkins, County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, Mayor of La Mesa Dr. Mark Arapostathis and La Mesa City Councilmembers Patricia Dillard.

Organizational Endorsements Include:
La Mesa Firefighters Local 4759
La Mesa POA
San Diego County Democratic Party
La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
California Young Democrats
San Diego County Young Democrats
Democratic Woman’s Club of San Diego
East County Democratic Club
GLBTQ Vote 2024 Priority Endorsement
HONOR PAC
Latina Democratic Club
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LPAC
Run For Something
Safer CA PAC
YIMBY Democrats of SD
San Diego Democrats for Equality
San Diego Progressive Democratic Club

Run Women Run

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are critical to fostering trust between citizens and their government. In the context of local initiatives, such as those Lauren Cazares advocates for in La Mesa, transparency ensures that public funds are managed responsibly, particularly in areas like public safety, housing, and support for small businesses. When residents can see how money is being spent—whether on enhancing pedestrian safety or addressing homelessness—they are more likely to engage in the political process and hold their elected officials accountable.

Moreover, effective accountability mechanisms, like audits and public reporting, help identify mismanagement or inefficiencies. In Lauren's vision, this includes ensuring that police and fire departments receive adequate resources as the population grows. By fostering partnerships with local law enforcement, transparency can lead to better community safety and support. Ultimately, these principles not only strengthen democracy but also create a La Mesa that reflects the community's values and ensures every resident has the opportunity to thrive.

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

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