MEET EDDIE
I am running for SSF City Council because I’ve been a lifelong advocate for children and families and have the experience to lead and bring representation to this part of town.
I have worked hard since the pandemic hit, to ensure that our vibrant downtown was not decimated. A place that’s home to new business and residents, I've hit the ground running from day one on City Council to ensure there was help brought to our residents, whether it was passing hazard pay for our retail workers, to free shop local gift cards to the larger guaranteed basic income program, I have been advocating for all residents of our old town/downtown and will continue to be a voice, a strong advocate and a leader to this community.
This election is a pivotal moment for our City. It is an election that will determine how we move forward as a community, and it’s a moment that requires thoughtful, collaborative and experienced leadership among and across all neighborhoods and generations. I am here as a trusted voice and have the experience as a proven leader for District 5.
I was born in El Salvador and immigrated to this country at the age of 7 escaping the civil war in the 1980s. Having seen my single mother work three jobs to make ends meet, I know the struggles and sacrifices of our working-class and immigrant community. I was fortunate enough to receive a public school education and was the first in my family to graduate from a four-year university. My family has lived in District 5 for over 30 years. I worked as a science aid teaching elementary school students, fought to ensure high quality childcare for school-aged children, and served in 2017 as South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Commissioner, supporting and elevating the voices of our youth, parents and low income community in programs, classes and city-wide recreational initiatives.
In 2018 I had the great honor of serving the constituents of San Bruno, Daly City, Colma and South San Francisco by being elected city-wide to the South San Francisco Unified School District Board of Trustees. I had the privilege to serve as Board Vice President and President. As a trustee, I partnered with many local organizations such as the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) and the Boys and Girls Clubs, leading efforts to conceptualize and bring forth the framework to establish numerous educational “learning hubs” during the global
Covid-19 pandemic to students in South City.
In addition I led and supported the work of the South San Francisco Unified School District’s equity and inclusivity initiatives through my role on the board and ensured no student was left behind, during the height of the Pandemic. Currently, I work with the Peninsula Health Care District creating a new mental health center for youth and young adults, and as a teacher at San Francisco State University and Skyline College.
I have over 20 years of progressive senior management experience in public, private, non-profit, and educational arenas. I know what it takes to get the work done, negotiate and advocate on bold initiatives and I am not afraid to represent and fight courageously and prioritize the much needed relief and resources for the residents of District 5. I have a proven track record of being a collaborative leader and one who doesn’t make excuses or shies away from holding and being held accountable but rather is quick to make adjustments. I have earned undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in public health and public policy from the University of California at Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy and the School of Public Health and an MBA from San Francisco State University.
Becoming the first Salvadoran immigrant to serve on a city council in San Mateo county history, it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as your city councilmember. I’ve hit the ground running. Together, we have secured over $100 million in affordable housing funds, passed strong environmental regulations for new buildings, and voted to support Vision Zero to eliminate all traffic fatalities & severe injuries. During the Pandemic, brought immediate relief to our small downtown businesses via Shop Local SSF program, created a program to deter catalytic converter thefts, opened the new South San Francisco Caltrain Station, and created a new city commission on equity and public safety as well as created the Every Kid Deserves a free Bike Program.
Please visit my Issues section to learn more about my vision and some of my priorities for District 5 and for our residents in South San Francisco
And while we have accomplished much over the past two years, there is still much work to do. As a community, we are facing rising costs of living, skyrocketing rents, unjust evictions, displacement, drought and climate change, and more. I will make it my mission to make housing more affordable, bring new parks and greenspace to our historic Old Town, invest in public transit connections to BART, create a safer Linden Avenue corridor with better lighting, expand childcare and preschool services, address climate change and sustainability, clean up Airport Blvd, beautify Pecks Lot area and improve public safety.
To facilitate positive change in our city, it’s important that we all work together. I will collaborate with our local businesses, nonprofits, and residents to present bold solutions for the various issues that we face today. I’ll take necessary action to ensure that all our working families are able to thrive, and make sure that nobody in our community is left behind.
Please join our many supporters including State Senator Josh Becker, Assemblymember Kevin Mullin and South San Francisco Mayor Mark Nagales, County, and many other local elected officials, labor unions, and District 5 small business owners, and residents who support our campaign. I will continue to ensure that the needs and concerns of this part of town are heard. I ask for your vote on November 8.
I would be honored to earn your vote.
