More Than a List of Names

When people ask me why endorsements matter, I tell them it's not about who's willing to put a name on a mailer; it's about who has actually seen you make difficult decisions, push through tough budget cycles and show up for the community.

That's what makes these endorsements different from simply putting a name on a list. They come from people and organizations who have seen this work up close, in different ways and from different perspectives, and I'm proud of the range that represents.

The People Who Know the Work

I've spent 13 years on the Oxnard City Council, and the firefighters and public safety leaders who know that work best are standing with me. Oxnard Firefighters IAFF Local 1684 and the Oxnard Public Safety Managers Association have both endorsed my campaign. OPSMA said it better than I could in their official endorsement: I “do not treat public safety as a casual line item.” That means a great deal to me. Public safety has been one of the responsibilities I have taken seriously throughout my time on the Council, and having leaders who have spent their careers in that field recognize that work carries weight.

When people like retired Assistant Police Chief Tom Cady and retired Councilmember and Assistant Police Chief Bryan MacDonald put their names behind me, it means something, because they know firsthand what this job demands.

The Colleagues Who Know the Job

Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez, Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Teran and Councilmembers Gabrielle Basua, Gabriella Rodriguez and Michaela Perez all know Oxnard's toughest decisions from the inside, and I've made many of those decisions alongside them. John Zaragoza, Oxnard's former Mayor and Ventura County Supervisor, knows that same weight from his own time in office.

We've sat through difficult meetings, debated important issues and made decisions that affect the people who call this city home. Their support means so much because they understand firsthand what it means to serve Oxnard.

Support From Labor and Business

Labor and business bring different perspectives to the work of local government. I'm proud to have the support of SEIU Local 721, the Central Coast Labor Council, the West Ventura County Business Alliance and Oxnard's own former Chamber CEO. I think that says something about the kind of leadership Oxnard needs: fair to workers, serious about growth and responsible with the budget.

From Across Our Community

Some of these supporters I've known for years. Others know me through my service to the community. What they share is a connection to Oxnard and a belief in the importance of being involved in the community where we live.

I've lived in Oxnard for more than 65 years. This is my home, and I'm grateful for the people and organizations who have chosen to support me.

Endorsements are more than names on a list. To me, they represent the people I've met along the way, the conversations we've had, the work we've shared and the trust they've placed in me.

I'm grateful for every name on this list, and I'd be honored to add yours to it.

— Bert

Add your name to the list of my supporters.