Miguel De La Rosa (Bell Gardens City Council At-large, California, candidate 2024)

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Miguel De La Rosa

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Bell Gardens City Council At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Bell Gardens High School

Bachelor's

California State University, Long Beach, 2021

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Miguel De La Rosa ran in a special election to the Bell Gardens City Council At-large in California. De La Rosa was on the ballot in the special general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

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

Biography

Miguel De La Rosa provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on November 11, 2024:

• High school: Bell Gardens High School
• Bachelor's: California State University, Long Beach, 2021
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website

Elections

General election

Special general election for Bell Gardens City Council At-large

Miguel De La Rosa, Samuel A. Perez, Jacob V. Poliquin, and Jennifer Rodriguez ran in the special general election for Bell Gardens City Council At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Miguel De La Rosa (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Samuel A. Perez (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jacob V. Poliquin (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jennifer Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)

---

	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 De La Rosa in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Miguel De La Rosa completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by De La Rosa's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Miguel De La Rosa, a proud son of immigrant parents who chose Bell Gardens to raise their family. Born, raised, and educated here, my passion for our community began early through social service activities. This passion deepened at CSULB, where I served as President, VP, and Director in 3 non-profit organizations.

As the Chair of the Bell Gardens Planning Commission, I have guided urban development and community projects to shape our city's future. My leadership roles in three nonprofit organizations demonstrate my commitment to advocating for our community. My main priorities include expanding youth and senior programs, promoting transparency, and ensuring residents are well-informed. I am dedicated to supporting our city’s growth through fiscal responsibility and maintaining a balanced budget.

I will focus on promoting local businesses to drive our economy and creating community events to foster unity. Public safety is a top priority; I will advocate for our neighborhood watch program. Additionally, I am committed to supporting the needs of special groups such as seniors, persons with disabilities, and single-parent households by advocating for affordable housing.

Together, we can build a safer, more vibrant, and prosperous Bell Gardens.

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?

• As Chairperson for the City of Bell Gardens Planning Commission, I’ve worked to shape responsible development that enhances our neighborhoods. I want to bring that experience to the City Council to ensure that we create opportunities for all residents— ranging from affordable housing, business growth, or access to essential services. Bell Gardens is at a critical point, and I am committed to working collaboratively to ensure that our city thrives while staying true to its roots.
• Local Business Support and Economic Growth: Create programs that provide resources and incentives for small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and boosting the local economy.
• Public Safety and Infrastructure Improvement: Prioritize community safety by investing in local infrastructure, such as better lighting, road maintenance, and park enhancements, while supporting efforts to enhance our police force.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I was born and raised in a household living below the poverty line, giving me a firsthand understanding of the challenges many families in Bell Gardens face. This experience shaped my perspective on the importance of accessible and affordable housing, quality education, and economic opportunities. I am committed to advocating for policies that create a more supportive environment for our community, especially for vulnerable groups such as seniors, persons with disabilities, homeless individuals, single parents, large households, military personnel, and farmworkers. Each of these groups has unique needs and challenges, and I am dedicated to ensuring that our city addresses them effectively.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

This office is unique and important within the state government and legal system because it provides a direct line between residents and their government. Unlike higher levels of government, a city council is deeply embedded in the community, allowing council members to understand local issues firsthand and address them in ways that are specific to residents’ needs.

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

N/A

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

Integrity is at the core of my commitment to transparency and accountability; I believe the community deserves an elected official who is honest and dependable. I strive to be solution-oriented, focusing on practical, effective measures to address the challenges our diverse groups encounter, from seniors and persons with disabilities to single parents and military personnel. My dedication to these principles guides my efforts to create a better future for Bell Gardens.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe my deep-rooted commitment to the community, integrity, and problem-solving abilities would make me a successful officeholder. Growing up here, I have a personal understanding of the challenges and aspirations of our residents, which drives my passion for positive change.

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

Core responsibilities for an elected official in a city council role include listening to and understanding the concerns of the community, advocating for their needs, and finding effective paths to solutions. This means actively engaging with residents, understanding issues from all perspectives, and using available resources to address problems. Additionally, it involves setting policies that drive community improvements, collaborating with city staff and other officials to enact meaningful changes, and ensuring transparency and accountability to build trust with the public.

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

The Great Recession (2008) was the first historical event that I personally felt the effects of in family.

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

Digital Marketing at a local restaurant chain called Los 3 Pollos.

What is your favorite book? Why?

N/A

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

N/A

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

N/A

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Growing up below the poverty line was a significant struggle that shaped my perspective and strengthened my determination. Experiencing financial insecurity firsthand taught me resilience and gave me a deep understanding of the challenges many families face, especially regarding access to housing, education, and healthcare.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Many people may not realize how influential council actions are in guiding the growth and character of their city, impacting their daily lives and shaping the future of the community.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

While previous experience in government or politics can provide helpful insight into the structure and functions of local government, it’s equally important—if not more so—to have a genuine understanding of the community and a commitment to representing its diverse needs.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Problem-solving and analytical skills are crucial for evaluating community challenges, interpreting budgets, and making data-informed decisions. Expertise in areas like budgeting, urban planning, or public policy can be beneficial, but a deep understanding of the community’s needs and the ability to build consensus with others are equally valuable.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

City Council provides a direct line between residents and their government. Unlike higher levels of government, a city council is deeply embedded in the community, allowing council members to understand local issues firsthand and address them in ways that are specific to residents’ needs.

Tell us your favorite joke.

N/A

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are essential for building public trust and ensuring that resources are managed responsibly. Transparency allows residents to see how funds are allocated, promotes confidence in government decisions, and helps prevent misuse of resources. Government accountability ensures that officials are answerable to the public for their actions and decisions. I believe that financial reports, budgets, and spending should be accessible and clear to the public, allowing for oversight and input.

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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