James Becerra: Future Mayor of Whittier?
Luis Sandoval | STAFF WRITER
April 09, 2026
With the Whittier mayoral election approaching, candidates are presenting their platforms on key issues facing the city.
James Becerra, a candidate in the upcoming Whittier mayoral election, says his campaign focuses on leadership turnover, communication and long-term planning for the city.
“I personally believe it’s time for change.”
Becerra has cited dissatisfaction with recent city decisions as a factor in his decision to run for mayor, including the city’s failure to adopt a proposed ordinance related to federal immigration enforcement.
Becerra credits that decision as a contributing factor in his decision to pursue a more direct role in city governance.
“I’d rather be on the inside than complaining on the outside,” he added.
Becerra identified government transparency as a key issue in his campaign, though he said the concept should extend beyond simply making information publicly available.
He emphasized the importance of clear and effective communication between the city and its residents, noting that access alone does not always translate to understanding.
“It’s not just transparency, it’s communicating effectively so people understand what is happening,” he emphasized.
He also addressed how the city approaches development, particularly in relation to preserving Whittier’s existing character.
“It’s not just transparency, it’s
communicating effectively so people
understand what is happening.”– James Becerra
Becerra pointed to the city’s tree canopy as an example, describing it as part of the city’s infrastructure that contributes to both environmental conditions and residents’ experience.
“Trees are, or let’s say, our urban tree canopy slash our urban forest is a part of the city’s infrastructure. They’re just as critical as water, sewer, gas, et cetera,” he said, adding that maintaining these elements can help guide more consistent and intentional development decisions.
On housing, Becerra believes additional development is necessary as the population grows, but he also emphasized the need for a broader, citywide planning approach rather than focusing on individual projects in isolation.
The city should consider how new developments fit into a larger framework that accounts for long-term growth and community needs.
“We’re going to have more people, so we have to accommodate that,” he said. “The question is how.”
If elected, Becerra would prioritize changes that could be implemented in the near future, including aligning Whittier’s municipal elections with state and federal election cycles to increase voter turnout.
As mayor, he would also seek to revisit the previously rejected ordinance related to immigration enforcement.
In addition, Becerra believes the city could expand collaboration with local institutions such as Whittier College and Rio Hondo College. He notes that these partnerships could create opportunities for development and post-graduation pathways for students, describing the institutions as underutilized resources within the city.
“There’s a lot more the City can do with these colleges,” he said.
Becerra also discussed the future of Uptown Whittier, noting uncertainty in the retail sector and the need for the city to begin exploring new approaches to economic development.
While there is no single solution, he emphasized the importance of initiating broader conversations about how the area could evolve.
“There’s no clear answer yet,” he said. “But we need to start that conversation.”
As the election approaches, Becerra’s priorities focus on both near-term policy changes and longer-term planning efforts related to development, communication and the city’s overall direction.