Lena Gonzales, field deputy to Long Beach Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, has announced she will seek his 1st District Council seat in the April 2014 election. “Over the last four years, I’ve worked closely with the 1st District community to improve public safety, invest in infrastructure and expand park space,” Gonzalez said. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but there is still work to do.” Gonzalez is a resident of the West Gateway neighborhood. She has a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, and is active in various downtown organizations and community groups, as well as programs for cancer awareness and at-risk youth.
Former 7th District Councilmember Tonia Reyes-Uranga announced this week that she has received the endorsement of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) District Lodge 947 in her bid to represent the 70th District in the California State Assembly. “I am proud to have the confidence and support of our city employees, the majority of which live in this city and in the Assembly District,” Reyes-Uranga said. “While on the City Council, we worked together to make the community safe and clean. I know first-hand how hard they work, and I appreciate their support and thank them for their trust in me.” According to the press release she issued, Reyes-Uranga also has the endorsement of United Steel Workers 675 and the Painters District Council, and she recently garnered the endorsement of Senator Richard Polanco (ret.) and former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry, as well as former Long Beach City Councilmember Rae Gabelich.
Long Beach 9th District City Councilmember Steven Neal announced July 30 that he has raised more than $100,000 for his Assembly campaign in the past eight weeks and is officially beginning his bid for the 64th District. “I want to say ‘thank you’ to the residents of Assembly District 64 and all of the people who have already joined our grassroots campaign,” Neal said. “I am proud to have received such a groundswell of support and encouragement from so many hard-working Californians who have decided to stand with me early in this campaign.”
North Long Beach native Uduak Ntuk, a technical professional and community leader, has announced his candidacy for LBUSD District 1 seat. “I am running because I believe in a high-quality public education for all students,” Ntuk said. “I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership that embraces the Uptown Renaissance community empowerment model of representation, increases parent engagement through a Parent University, and understands the technical skills needed to prepare our kids for the high-quality jobs of tomorrow.”
