Zendejas is first to announce candidacy in race to replace Lena Gonzalez on Long Beach City Council

By HAYLEY MUNGUIA | hmunguia@scng.com | Long Beach Press-Telegram

PUBLISHED: June 7, 2019 at 11:56 am | UPDATED: June 7, 2019 at 4:41 pm

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The Long Beach City Council’s 1st District seat hasn’t yet been vacated by state Senator-elect Lena Gonzalez — but that hasn’t stopped new candidates from coming forward.

Long Beach Transit Director Mary Zendejas on Friday, June 7, became the first to declare her candidacy for the seat.

District 1, in southwest Long Beach, stretches from the city’s western border to Orange Avenue, and from 21st Street south to Ocean Boulevard.

“Over the past three decades, I have served on multiple city commissions and committees to help improve our great city,” Zendejas said in a statement. “I have worked to improve our public transit systems, advocated for more affordable housing and tenant protections, and helped ensure that people in wheelchairs have equal access in the workplace.”

The special election has not yet been called, but City Clerk Monique De La Garza has said she expects it to be scheduled for Nov. 5.

Zendejas also works as the director of regional accounts for GNS Medical Supplies.

And she serves on the Board of Directors for the Disabled Resources Center in Long Beach and previously worked for Mayor Robert Garcia’s transition team when he became the city’s top elected official.

Zendejas has won several awards for her civic leadership and earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from California State Long Beach.

“As your councilmember, I won’t be afraid to take on the difficult issues facing our city, and I pledge to bring people together to build upon the great work that has been completed by former Councilmember and Sen.-elect Lena Gonzalez,” she said. “I am excited to bring a new and unique set of perspectives with me to City Hall.”