Overview: Five candidates are vying for a vacant seat on the Moreno Valley City Council. The candidates, who are seeking to represent the city’s 3rd District, include Alvin Dejohnette, Erlan Gonzalez, Justin Jackson, Anna Lapuos, and Zenda Yvette Lewis. Each candidate has submitted a statement outlining their qualifications and goals for the position.
Alyssah Hall
With election day less than a month away, five hopeful candidates will be on the Moreno Valley ballot to fill the city’s District 3 council seat for a four-year term.
This District 3 seat has been vacant since April 16, when previous councilmember David Marquez resigned. His resignation came after the City of Moreno Valley reported he was “absent without permission from all regular city council meetings for 70 days consecutively from the last regular meeting.” Marquez was elected to the Moreno Valley City Council in 2016 to represent District 3 and resigned in 2024.
The candidates looking to fill this vacancy are Alvin Dejohnette, Erlan Gonzalez, Justin Jackson, Anna Lapuos and Zenda Yvette Lewis. Several candidates submitted official candidate statements to the Moreno Valley clerk while others opted not to (candidate statements are optional).
Here is some information on the candidates competing in this race to assist you in your electoral decision.
Meet Alvin Dejohnette
According to his filed candidate statement, Alvin Dejohnette is a teacher in Moreno Valley. He currently serves on the city planning commission alongside Erlan Gonzelz, who is also running for the District 3 seat.
Dejohnette submitted the following statement to the Moreno Valley city clerk on Aug. 8, 2024:
“Dear Neighbor,
I am a military veteran that served in the U.S. Air Force. I am a teacher, a professor, an association board member, and experienced planning commissioner. I have dedicated myself to upholding growth for students and safeguarding our community.
For many years I have served as a Planning Commissioner. I have made hundreds of decisions regarding the development, growth and improvement of this city. These decisions are tough and often are faced with approval and disapproval at the same time. I stand up for the citizens of Moreno Valley through these tough decisions. I have years of experience and understanding of how city government works. I ensure accountability, respect, and consideration for all. I have lived in the city of Moreno Valley for over 50 years watching and learning how we have grown and what we need to safely continue to thrive. I believe that we can continue to be a city where people will want to live here, work here, raise their families and retire here. I want your voices heard. I want you to know that I will work for you and always be here to serve and protect your interest.”
Meet Erlan Gonzalez
Erlan Gonzalez is the principal development specialist for the County of Riverside and the chair of the Moreno Valley Planning Commission. A child of Mexican immigrants, Gonzalez was raised in Baldwin Park and went on to attend the University of California, Riverside.
Gonzalez and his wife Alma Ruiz have lived in Moreno Valley for 14 years and are long-time residents of District 3, where they also raise their two kids.
“Since 2010, Erlan has listened to the voices of friends, neighbors, and family, gaining a deep understanding of our community’s opportunities and challenges. This community has encouraged Erlan to be their voice and advocate for accessible housing, good-paying jobs, community safety, and addressing homelessness in our neighborhoods,” according to a statement on his campaign website.
Gonzalez is endorsed by IE United and Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside).
“Erlan’s record of civic engagement and leadership has shown he is the right candidate to lead Moreno Valley’s District 3. He is a proven leader who is committed to addressing quality-of-life matters important to the district, while ensuring every voice is heard and valued in city hall,” Roth announced on his facebook account.
No candidate statement was found for Gonzalez.
Meet Justin Jackson
Justin Jackson is a press secretary at BlueGreen Alliance and was raised by parents who “dedicated their careers to union jobs.” This taught Jackson the importance of “strong labor unions, secure employment, and the necessity of a family-sustaining wage,” according to his website.
Jackson has lived in Moreno Valley for almost 20 years and believes that the city is turning into a “medium-sized city” that will have about 250,000 residents in the next 15 years.
“I have witnessed our city grow into a burgeoning community of hardworking individuals striving to better themselves and their families,” Jackson said via his website. “I am motivated and running this race to bring More for Moreno Valley—¡Más por Moreno Valley!”
No candidate statement was found for Jackson.
Meet Anna Lapuos
At 29 years old, Anna Lapuos is a data analyst for the County of Riverside and is running for District 3’s seat to provide a better future for the next generation.
Lapuos submitted the following candidate statement to the Moreno Valley clerk on Aug. 8, 2024:
“I’m proud to call Moreno Valley my home. As a child who immigrated from the Phillipines back in 2007, I feared the uncertainty of living in a new place but the people of this city welcomed me with open arms and gave me the resources to pursue a brighter future. That being said, it’s become my wish to give back to this very community that helped me grow and ensure the continued improvement of our residents’ quality of life.
I have extensive background in research and data analysis from my previous roles as an undergraduate researcher with UCLA and a legal analyst for an immigration firm, to my current role as a data analyst for the County of Riverside. As a council member, I’ll leverage these skills in order to make informed decisions and carry out better policies that would help address the city’s most pressing needs; to cultivate an enriching community that prioritizes public safety, high quality education, as well as increased economic opportunities.
It is my personal mission to diligently serve my time to build a community that provides a better future for the next generation. I would be honored to have your support and vote on November 5, 2024.”
To learn more about Lapuos and her candidacy, voters can visit her website.
Meet Zenda Lewis
Zenda Lewis is a retired Riverside County physician assistant and is running for District 3’s seat because she believes in the “potential of her neighborhood.”
Lewis submitted a candidate statement to run as a candidate for the Moreno Valley City Council on Aug. 9, 2024, which reads:
“I am running for city council because I believe in the potential of our neighborhood. Our community is burdened by WAREHOUSES, open land, and a lack of essential amenities. We have only one restaurant, an abundance of fast food chains, and no safe walking paths. These issues contribute to the illegal dumping of trash and the disruption caused by SEMI-TRUCKS illegally driving through our streets.
I am committed to addressing these problems head-on. As a resident, I understand the frustration of not having safe and clean spaces for our families to enjoy. I will work tirelessly to develop walking paths, improve infrastructure, and create green spaces that promote a healthy lifestyle. My goal is to attract diverse businesses, including more dining options and local shops, to enhance our community’s vibrancy.
I will collaborate with local authorities to enforce regulations against illegal dumping and unauthorized SEMI-TRUCKS traffic, ensuring our streets are safe and clean. Together, we can transform our neighborhood into a thriving, welcoming community where everyone feels proud to live. Your support is crucial in making this vision a reality. Let’s work together to build a better future for our neighborhood.”
Your vote matters. Ballots for the 2024 election have begun to arrive in mailboxes across the state. For the next month we will be sharing information on the various races and ballot initiatives to help you make more informed decisions.