Overview: Four candidates are vying for the position of mayor in Rialto, California. Joe Baca, a former Congressman and United States Army veteran, is running on a platform of responsible economic development, affordable housing, and improvements to the city’s streets and parks. Deborah Robertson, the incumbent mayor, is seeking re-election and plans to focus on economic prosperity, job opportunities, housing models, and technology and environmental sustainability. Rafael Trujillo, a former city council member, is running on a platform of public safety, economic growth, quality of life, and community engagement. Ché Rose Wright, a community educator and advocate for local youth, is running on a platform of building a strong, transparent, and resilient Rialto.
Alyssah Hall
With Election Day less than a week away, four candidates will be on the Rialto ballot to fill the city’s mayoral position for the next four years.
Rialto’s mayoral hopefuls include incumbent Deborah Robertson, Joe Baca, Rafael Trujillo and Ché Rose Wright. Three of the candidates are vying to unseat Robertson, who has held the position since 2012.
Here is an overview of the candidates competing:
Meet Rialto’s Current Mayor, Deborah Robertson
Deborah Robertson has been the mayor of Rialto since 2012. She was re-elected for a third, four-year term in 2020. In 2021, Robertson was appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration to serve on the Environmental Protection Agency Local Government Advisory Committee.
Robertson said she plans to continue her focus on economic prosperity in Rialto’s community, the diversity of job opportunities, housing models, and to keep up with evolving technology and environmental sustainability.
“I’m invested in this community just like anyone else, but I’ve been here since 1988. I bought my first ever home here. I’m not from here. I was born and raised in San Diego, California, but I was able to buy my first home in Rialto,’ Robertson said. “I chose Rialto, and I’ve enjoyed watching this place become a place where people used to drive through to get to some other place, to now becoming a destination point.”
While pursuing re-election for mayor, Robertson is also suing the city of Rialto and the Rialto Police Department, according to court documents. Filed in 2023, the lawsuit lists complaints such as intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and violation of the Civil Rights Act, among other complaints.
“The people in this community know me enough to know that I will stand up for my rights and for your rights,” Robertson said regarding the pending lawsuit.
“You don’t acquiesce your rights just because you hold a local elected position. I’m still a citizen in the state of California. The defending of the lawsuit will be what occurs in court.”
Robertson is endorsed by the Rialto Firefighters Association, Rialto Mayor Acquanetta Warren, and CA Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson.
Meet Joe Baca
Joe Baca is a United States Army veteran and former Congressman who represented the inland region for 13 years. Baca served in the California State Assembly and Senate, and is the first Latino elected to the San Bernardino Valley College District. In 2022 Baca was elected to the Rialto City Council.
Baca has 30 years of public service and has secured $154 million in funding for projects in the Inland Empire, as well as $24 million in secured funding to improve Rialto, according to his platform.
“As a lifelong resident of the Inland Empire, I understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Rialto,” Baca said in a press release. “I am running for Mayor because I believe in the potential of our city and the strength of our community. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.”
Baca’s plan for a “better Rialto” includes “responsible economic development,” “development of affordable housing, and improvements to Rialto’s streets and parks.”
Baca’s desire to serve the public is influenced by his “dedication” to his wife Barbara, their four children and four grandchildren, as well as his “belief in the power of community.”
Baca is endorsed by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes, San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre and San Bernardino County Supervisor Gen. Paul Cook.
Meet Rafael Trujillo
Rafael Trujillo was first elected to the Rialto City Council in 2016, and re-elected in 2020. His current council term expires this year. Trujillo serves on the San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization and formerly held roles on the City of Rialto Parks and Recreation Commission, West Valley Water District and as the Elm Park Homeowners Association President.
“As a proud resident of Rialto, father, and council member, Rafael Trujillo has dedicated his life to serving our community and making it a better place for everyone. His journey is one of commitment, leadership, and unwavering passion for the people of Rialto,” according to his platform. “Rafael is running for Mayor to continue his legacy of protecting and supporting the community, making Rialto a city where residents can live, work, and play.”
Trujillo’s goals for Rialto are to ensure public safety, promote economic growth, enhance quality of life, and engage the community.
“We keep knocking on doors and continue to have a strong showing of support all while my opponents continue to go public with their tantrums and desperate attack ads. Make it rain Trujillo lawn signs!” Trujillo posted on Facebook on Oct. 22.
Trujillo is endorsed by the Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood – Orange and San Bernardino Counties, Southern California District Council of Laborers and the United Auto Workers (UAW) of District 6.
Meet Ché Rose Wright
Chè Rose Wright is a native of the city of Rialto and has been a business owner for more than two decades. She previously worked with Mayor Robertson as a voluntary assistant for six years. Wright is also a community educator and advocate for local youth peers, and serves as the Women’s Inspirational Network (WIN) President. Wright is also the vice president of the San Bernardino chapter of the NAACP.
Wright’s platform centers on “building a strong, transparent, and resilient Rialto.” Her key focus areas include civic engagement, sustainable business practices, community development and youth empowerment.
Wright said that it’s important to her that the youth and young adults of Rialto know that they can be successful and helpful in the city of Rialto. She wants to create opportunities for them that she didn’t have.
“To end up back here is so surreal for me, especially to be running for mayor, but I was guided [by] the fact that I’m heavily engaged with my youth here,” Wright explained. “I believe that they are the future. I believe that we do need to set up an infrastructure that allows for them to inherit this community better than how we had it.”
Wright credits her community which includes New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for showing up for her and playing a “pivotal role in shaping her to be a small business owner at the early age of 15 years old.” Wright feels like now it’s her time to pay it forward to her community and support them as they did her.
Wright noted that it has been disappointing for her that some folks in the Black community haven’t supported her because they believe she was trying to be “negative” by running against Robertson. Wright said that is not the case.
“I could either keep watching the world turn into a nightmare, or I can do my part to try to contribute some good. And I did it at this level because I needed to make some noise,” Wright said.
“While they’re [other candidates] out there trying to get votes so that they can continue to do what they’re doing, I’m trying to get votes from people who don’t even participate on a normal basis. I want to wake them up and be like, ‘Look, I need you to get out there,’” Wright continued. “If I’m the reason for somebody deciding that they’re going to use their power and they’re going to find out what’s going on, then I understand why God told me to do this.”