Meet the candidates running for South Gate City Council for the Nov. 3 election

SELA Voting Guide | CALÓ News Midterm Coverage

On Nov. 3, voters will elect two of five candidates running for two at-large seats for the South Gate City Council, a city in the Southeast L.A. (SELA) area with about 92,000 residents and where 95% identify as Latino.

Two candidates are incumbents, while the other three are running on promises of change. There are also two candidates running unopposed for the seats of treasurer and clerk.

Some of the issues that the three new candidates are focused on include budget deficit, financial crisis, residents neglected, unfinished projects and bringing change and new faces to a council that has served for several years with the same members.

Joshua Barron, incumbent

Barron, a lifelong resident of South Gate, attended local schools and, prior to being elected as a councilmember, he served as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for five years and on the Tweedy Mile Advisory Board for three. He also served as chairperson on both.

Barron’s biography at the South Gate City Council states he was elected in November 2022 for a four-year term. He was selected to serve as vice mayor in December 2024 when the council reorganized. Last December, he was selected to serve as mayor for a one-year term. 

On his social media, Barron announced he received the support of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, BizFed Pac, Los Angeles County Democratic Party,  SEIU Local 721 and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. 

“South Gate was built by hardworking families, and I remain committed to supporting good jobs, strengthening our local economy, investing in our workforce and building a safer and stronger community for everyone,” he said on his social media. 

Al Rios, incumbent

Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Rios moved with his family to Boyle Heights and then to South Gate, where he grew roots. He learned about politics and public service at a young age at a summer program. 

Rios was elected to the South Gate City Council in April 2017 and re-elected for a four-year term in November 2022. In 2021, he served as mayor and as a council member. Rios considers himself a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who helps set policies and goals that shape the city's future. 

He believes his leadership is rooted in listening, building trust and working alongside community members to ensure that South Gate continues to grow as a place where all residents can thrive.

Alan Garcia

Garcia, a 33-year old lifelong South Gate resident, said he’s running for office because he’s tired of the little to no changes in the city. On his website, he states that he has seen the direction City Hall is going and, despite the fact that he votes in every election, he feels there are always the same candidates running for the same ideals as their predecessors. 

Garcia's career is in healthcare. He started as a patient transporter at St. John’s Health Center, then moved to team lead for patient transport at Cedars-Sinai and moved his way up to data analyst with the L.A. County Department of Health Services.

“Currently I am in school for nursing,” he said on his website, where voters can also see an expanded plan to fight the deficit and hold the city council accountable. 

He ran for office for the first time in 2024.

“Despite not winning the seat, I can proudly say I received 7,024 votes in that election,” he said, hopeful that this time his campaign is bigger and with a better chance to win. 

Jimmy Ozaeta

A lifelong South Gate resident, Jimmy Ozaeta is the son of immigrant parents from Durango, Mexico. He earned his bachelor’s and master's degrees from San Francisco State University, then moved into nonprofit leadership. 

He has served as a South Gate planning commissioner since 2023, where he reviews and votes on development projects, weighing their impact on residents’ quality of life while ensuring the community has a real voice in shaping the decisions that affect the city of South Gate. 

Ozaeta feels proud to have served for 15 years with YMCAs across California, rising to CEO of a local YMCA Association. 

Ozaeta believes his 25 years of experience as a results-oriented leader with strong business acumen and a belief in mutual accountability is what South Gate needs now.

Edgar Pelayo

Also a long-time resident of South Gate, Edgar Pelayo said he’s running for office to provide leadership that listens and operates with high standards of transparency, efficiency and fiscal responsibility. 

Pelayo has a master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and has a professional background spanning business management, finance, operations and experience leading a nonprofit organization. 

“I have had the privilege of representing many clients here in South Gate, listening to their goals and dreams and sharing their hopes for our city’s future,” he said on his website. 

He has served as a Parks & Recreation commissioner in South Gate since 2023, where he is an active grassroots advocate.

“I believe in organizing and mobilizing residents to ensure our community’s voice is not ignored on the issues that matter most,” he said.

Pelayo and Ozaeta are running as a slate under the slogan “South Gate for Change,” advocating No on Taxes (utility users tax) and Yes on Term Limits. They share the same website. 

Other seats

There are also two additional seats: one for city treasurer, currently held by Jose de la Paz, and one for city clerk, held by Yodit Glaze. Both are running unopposed.

To find more details and voting deadlines, visit: www.cityofsouthgate.org/Government/Departments/City-Clerks-Office/Elections