As John C. Zaragoza steps down from office an Oxnard Mayor, and chooses not to seek reelection, the race to become Oxnard’s next mayor has ignited fierce competition. A diverse group of candidates is stepping forward, each offering a distinct vision for addressing the city’s most pressing challenges, including homelessness, economic growth, public safety, and infrastructure improvements.
To give voters a clearer picture of each candidate’s platform, VIDA Newspaper gathered information through email and phone interviews, distilling their responses into the profiles below. These summaries emphasize their key priorities and leadership styles, presented in the alphabetical order by last name.
Rafael M. Hernandez
Rafael Hernandez, a longtime Oxnard resident of nearly 40 years, shared with VIDA Newspaper that his campaign focuses on addressing homelessness, enhancing public safety, and making crucial infrastructure improvements. Coming from an agricultural family, Hernandez emphasized the importance of fostering strong community support.
“Those are human beings that deserve a second chance,” Hernandez said, underscoring the vital role seniors play in the community. He envisions actively involving older residents to enhance public safety and address other key community issues.
Hernandez also aims to expand economic opportunities within Oxnard, focusing on reducing the need for residents to commute long distances for work. “I want to improve the streets and alleys throughout Oxnard,” he noted, drawing attention to the link between infrastructure upgrades and economic growth.
Bryan A. MacDonald
Bryan A. MacDonald, current Mayor Pro Tem of Oxnard, said to VIDA Newspaper, that his focus is on advancing the city’s current progress. His platform highlights the following priorities: addressing homelessness, fostering economic development, and ensuring environmental sustainability. “I have been in the Oxnard City Council for many years and I have lots of experience working to improve safety, housing, employment and community services,” said MacDonald to VIDA Newspaper.
MacDonald stressed the need for balance in dealing with homelessness. “We need to strike a fine line between being homeless and living on public property and infringing on the rights of others,” he said to VIDA Newspaper. He supports expanding services, including the Oxnard Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Officers program.
MacDonald also emphasized the importance of environmental sustainability, calling for continued efforts in renewable energy and remediation projects. “We put solar panels on our house, and our electrical footprint has gone down to almost nothing,” MacDonald said.
Luis A. McArthur
Luis A. McArthur, a police commander in Oxnard, has built his platform around public safety, community engagement, economic development, infrastructure, and addressing homelessness. Raised in Oxnard, McArthur emphasized supporting local businesses and expanding youth job opportunities.
One of his critical public safety initiatives is expanding the use of cameras and drones to deter crime and enhance security. “We have community cameras in our city, but I would support the expansion of that program because they are strategically placed in areas that are prone to more crime,” McArthur said VIDA Newspaper, noting that surveillance helps reduce costs.
McArthur also supports unions and collective bargaining, influenced by his parents’ work experiences without union protection. Another central component of his platform is addressing homelessness by promoting affordable housing and wraparound services.
Karla Alejandra Zamora
Karla Alejandra Zamora said to VIDA Newspaper she is committed to revitalizing Oxnard by focusing on the needs of its most vulnerable residents. She believes the current city leadership has lost touch with the struggles of those living below the poverty line, prioritizing their salaries—some exceeding $300,000—over community welfare.
She envisions a “bottom-up” decision-making approach, where the core question is, “How does this benefit our most marginalized residents?” She advocates restructuring the city administration to ensure funds are allocated to essential services and infrastructure improvements, not just high salaries and projects that only benefit North Oxnard.
Zamora focuses on Oxnard’s oldest, often overlooked neighborhoods, aiming to improve access to housing, healthcare, and other vital resources. Through community-centered governance, she believes Oxnard can become a more equitable city.
Al Velasquez
Despite multiple attempts, VIDA Newspaper was unable to obtain a comment from Al Velasquez, that listed in his filling documents that he is retired.