The mission of the Salinas Valley Leadership Group is to identify, recruit and support candidates for non-partisan local office who desire to serve their communities, exhibit qualities of leadership and integrity, and who will support the vital interests of business in the conduct of local government.
Fernando Armenta
Incumbent - Monterey County Supervisor District 1
My number one priority is you, your family and our community! I recognize that government doesn’t always work, but I believe we must continue to make strides to make our County government work for the people. As your Supervisor, I will continue to lobby for federal and state dollars for our communities and will continue working with our community to better District 1 and the County of Monterey.
I have spent my entire life fighting for our families, and I have brought that same fighting spirit to the County of Monterey for the past 11 years. People from all walks of life make up our community, from seniors to business people, and from youth to those working in the fields. We all have dreams and aspirations. My goal is to make our County a better place to live.
Dennis Donohue
Candidate - Monterey County Supervisor District 4
Dennis Donohue’s top priorities if elected:
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Economic development: Donohue’s strategy includes job creation, retention, innovation, and attracting more jobs especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
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Affordable housing: Donohue supports building bigger housing projects, which include affordable housing. He said small-scale projects would be more costly. “Walkable communities are a wonderful thing, but they are at best an incremental economic opportunity and young people can’t afford to live here,” he said.
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Public safety: Donohue suggests expanding the tax base to hire more police officers and public deputies. He proposes regionalizing Operative Ceasefire, which placed the serious offenders with professionals in social services and job training, Operation Knockout and the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace.
Dave Potter
Incumbent - Monterey County Supervisor District 5
Since 1996, and currently serving his Fourth term, Dave has represented the Fifth District. The Fifth is a demanding district comprised of Big Sur, Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel Valley, and is known internationally for its tourism, dramatic coastline with unsurpassed views and its historic preservation. Prior to his service with Monterey County, Dave was a member of the Monterey City Council, the City’s Planning Commission and the Architectural Review Board.
This extensive background in local government has helped make Dave a successful leader in creating collaborative relationships among the county’s varied communities. Serving on many committees, Dave is the County’s representative locally, statewide and nationally for legislative advocacy, tourism, economic development and historic preservation. Dave provides Monterey County with an effective, articulate advocate who is regularly in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to impress upon the legislators the importance of Monterey’s unique resources and its economic successes.
As a senior member on the Board of Supervisors, Dave realizes that it is only through cooperation and communication that difficult problems can be solved. Despite differing opinions and diverse backgrounds, common interests can be formed that will help protect and improve the quality of life in Monterey County and the State of California.
Joe Gunter
Incumbent - Salinas City Mayor
After six years as the Director of Security, he became President of the California International Air Show in 2011. He has coordinated with Homeland Security, the FBI, and other agencies to ensure the safety of the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds and all in attendance at the events.
He sits on the board of the Central Coast Federal Credit Union and is the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee, responsible for reviewing and signing off on millions of dollars in loans.
He is a past president of the Women’s Crisis Center for Monterey County and has been a volunteer for the California Rodeo for over 30 years.
For many years he was a board member of the Bobby Sox as a coach and served as president of the organization. He is a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, the Salinas Elks Lodge and the Sons of Italy.
Scott Davis
Candidate - Salinas City Council District 1
Scott was born and raised in Salinas. He is first generation to a mother who emigrated from Japan. His father’s side of the family moved to Salinas in the 1940’s, settled in the Alisal. Living in poverty and through the Great Depression, they worked tirelessly and eventually purchased a small farm where they grew strawberries.
In 2009, Scott ran unopposed for a seat on the Deputy Sheriff’s Association Union Board. Scott spent 6 years on the Union Board serving the last 2 years as their President.
Scott has had numerous accolades and awards and is one of the most decorated deputies in the Sheriff’s office.
2006 Salinas Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Peace Officer of the Year
2010 Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Award
2011 Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Award
2012 Monterey County Domestic Violence Council Service Award
2013 POST Advanced Certificate
2015 Deputy of the Month for December
2015 MADD Hero Award Recipient
2016 Deputy of the Month for February
He has also received 2 Sheriff’s Life Saving Awards.
Virginia Mendoza
Candidate - Salinas City Council District 4
Virginia was born in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. She has been a resident of this great city for more than 25 years and is a health promoter and a business owner. Virginia has a Degree of Associate in Applied Science in Computer Business Administration, graduated as a Health Promoter with the Monterey County and obtained a Certificate of Achievement with the Salinas Police Department Community Police Academy.
John Villegas
Candidate - Salinas City Council District 6
John (Tony) Villegas has been a resident of Salinas area for the past 26 years. He grew up in Michigan and proudly served our country in various assignments stateside, and overseas. After leaving the military, Mr. Villegas started his college career at Hartnell Junior college and received his degree in Criminal Justice. He also received his Bachelor’s of Science in Justice Studies from San Jose State University. He went into teaching and completed his multi-subject credential through the CalState Teach program. He currently works as a full-time 6th-grade teacher.
Mr. Villegas had worked as a union representative for the SVFT until recently; he resigned due to the conflict of interest running for a board seat would pose. As a union representative before his resignation, he helped negotiate a new contract with the Alisal Union School District for the substitute union. He believes all workers, regardless of position deserve to be treated with dignity and respect to promote a positive work environment.
A few years ago, Mr. Villegas was instrumental and worked many hours with the Alisal community to change out the Alisal school board. The new board has been the stabling factor for the district for the past few years, improve student achievement, and raised worker morale.
Victor Rey
Incumbent - Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Zone 2
Born and raised in East Salinas, Victor Rey graduated as Salutatorian from Alisal High School in 1998. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he received a Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) in Crop Science with minors in AgriBusiness and Ethnic Studies. Rey has worked more than ten years in Food Production Management, most of that in food safety in the Salinas Valley produce industry. Rey is a Certified Professional of Food Safety via the National Environmental Health Association. In 2011, Rey received a Masters of Business Administration (Suma Cum Laude) from the University of Phoenix. Rey has been active in Community Service since high school and college, and has represented Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System’s District 2 since 2012.
Carla Stewart
Candidate - Soledad City Council
Working for multiple government agencies provides me the benefit of being able to manage and complete tasks in a high-pressure environment while working as part of a team. I believe in having flexibility and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm. Working directly for an elected official, I am experienced in working with other elected officials and their support staff, and also familiar with ethics code and the Brown Act.
My vision is for Soledad to no longer serve as a training ground for new police officers. It is time that we promote a safe Soledad by supporting a strong, highly trained, dedicated police force. We need to retain our officers! We also need to create a partnership to provide recreational and educational activities for our youth of all ages, to keep them active and engaged.
It is my hope and dream that Soledad will continue to grow in ways that combine social equity, regional cooperation, and economic competitiveness, all while still maintaining our love of our small town. I will bring a unique, proactive perspective to all city functions. My voice on the Council will be strong, yet balanced to protect the future and quality of life for all of us in this city we love. I respectfully ask for your vote and commit to serving my community with honesty, integrity, passion and heart.
Richard Perez
Incumbent - Soledad City Council
Richard Perez was elected to the City Council in November 2008. He has been a resident of Soledad since 1968. He retired from a 35-year law enforcement career having served the Soledad Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department. Councilmember Perez currently serves as the City Council’s appointed representative to the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority Board. In addition to volunteer work rendered as a member of several service clubs in Soledad, Richard is presently the secretary of the Soledad Lions Club. Prior to his serve on the Council, Richard Perez was the elected Soledad City Treasurer (1978-1993), Elected High School Board of Trustee (1993-1997) and was a past member of the Soledad Planning Commission (1988-1993). Councilmember Perez and his wife Susan are parents of three children and grandparents of seven.
Lance Walker
Incumbent - Greenfield City Council
Public safety is my main concern. We should feel safe and protected. Laws and city codes must be enforced. No one should be granted a free pass. As a lifelong resident, I’ve seen the good and bad in Greenfield. We need a City Council that will do what’s best for Greenfield as a whole, not what’s best politically. Our Police Department has really improved in recent months and we must take steps to continue on this path.
I truly believe that public safety and economic growth run hand in hand. A decrease in crime builds confidence for businesses to want to come to Greenfield. We need to fill in our vacant buildings with much-needed businesses. We must attract “big box stores.” Regionally, Greenfield is centrally located for this to become a reality. We should be able to work, shop in peace and have fellowship with one another. Many of us would like to see nice restaurants and fast food chains in our town. In order for that to happen, we must have a city that is clean and safe.
As a City we need to be united. We must all come together and be on the same team to fight for our City. A starting point to uniting our community is realizing that we are all a part of one nation under God and we all want the best for Greenfield. It is time to put our differences aside and do what’s best for our community by working together to help restore and beautify our town. We are so close in making Greenfield the town that we deserve. We have huge plans for our future. Let’s move forward together.
Raul Rodriguez
Incumbent - Greenfield City Council
I am 46 years old and I grew up in Soledad. In 1991, I moved to Greenfield and have made Greenfield my home for the past 21 years. I attended Gonzales High School, Hartnell College and earned my degree in English from U.C. Berkeley. I finished my teaching credential at Stanford University and was a middle school English teacher for 10 years in Soledad’s Main Street Middle School, the same school I attended as a kid. In 2001, I became a bakery manager for La Plaza Bakery in Greenfield, a family owned business. I am currently on the High School Board of Trustees and am a member of the Greenfield Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. I served two years on the Greenfield planning commission and have served as a member of the Greenfield Cemetery District. I have been married to Ana Sanchez for 20 years and we have two kids: 18 and 13. We plan to live in Greenfield for a very long time and expect to be involved in the community as much as possible.