Mary Zendejas, Long Beach City Council District 1 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire – Press Telegram

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Mary Zendejas

Current job title: Councilmember, City of Long Beach

Age: 55

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Long Beach

Campaign website or social media: maryzendejas.com

One of the main issues local leaders are grappling with is Long Beach’s current and long-term fiscal position. With major budgetary concerns on the horizon, explain your top priorities for Long Beach’s financial future and plans to achieve them. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

My priorities are focused on what my staff and I hear from residents and business owners on a regular basis. We need a strong local economy that supports small businesses, we need to protect workers and renters, and we need to keep investing in the basics like infrastructure and public safety, including how we address homelessness. These issues are complex and require steady leadership to ensure that our investments reach the communities most impacted.

That’s why I’ve worked closely with Mayor Richardson on the Elevate28 plan, which brings Measure A funding directly into our neighborhoods, including projects like the Washington Neighborhood Community Center, street and sidewalk repairs and lighting upgrades in the East Village, among others. Additionally, we are also investing in new mental health crisis response teams, funding the largest new class of police cadets, reopening Rescue Engine 2 to reduce emergency response times and creating new business liaison positions to ensure small business owners have the tools they need to succeed.

Long Beach residents have been sounding the alarm about the presence of federal immigration enforcement agents and operations in the city. Where do you stand on ICE/CBP actions, and how to plan to address residents’ concerns about this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

As the daughter of immigrants, I know what families risk to build a life here. I carry that with me every time I step onto the dais. What we’re seeing right now is creating real fear in our community, and we are not standing by.

My focus is on making sure people can go to a park, a clinic or a city facility and feel safe accessing services. On the Council, I’ve fought to strengthen the Long Beach Values Act so our local resources are never used for federal enforcement, and we’ve expanded the Long Beach Justice Fund to provide legal support for residents who need it.

We’re also working closely with trusted community organizations to reach people where they are and make sure city spaces remain safe and welcoming. We may not control federal policy, but we do control how we show up for our neighbors, and I will continue using every tool we have to protect our immigrant community.

Homelessness and affordable housing continue to be a top issue for Long Beach residents. What is your position on the city’s current efforts to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing availability, and how do you plan to improve these efforts? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

Our efforts are making real impacts on the lives of people experiencing homelessness and helping move people off the street. Our 2024 numbers showed a reduction in homelessness for the first time in seven years. In 2025, despite some small upticks, we saw chronic homelessness continue its downward trend. It also shows that while this work isn’t easy, we’re starting to see what’s actually making a difference, and where we see increases, we can shift funds to address them.

In District 1, we’ve made targeted investments to advance that progress, including securing $6.5 million for the shelter on West Anaheim. That site provides up to 125 beds, expands our indoor shelter capacity and connects individuals with critical services.

We’re also putting more focus on prevention. Last year, Long Beach saw a record number of new housing units, including 258 affordable homes. Through the city’s Upstream LB plan, we’re providing rental assistance, stronger renter protections, legal support and services for people at risk of losing their housing. In District 1, where we see the impacts of this crisis every day, that early support really matters.

What is the biggest issue your district specifically faces, and how do you plan to address it, if elected? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

The biggest issue in our district is making sure that residents and business owners feel the quality of life improvements we are making, and that they can take pride in their neighborhood. We continue to make record investments in our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, but if residents and business owners don’t feel that support, the quality of life suffers.

In the next term, my focus will continue to be on fighting for District 1 to receive its fair share of resources and attention, especially in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked. And in our district, that may mean more resources — because the concentration of challenges in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods means we sometimes need a greater level of investment to actually address those issues.

That means continuing to invest in housing and homelessness solutions, supporting our local business corridors through simplifying bureaucracy and helping business owners keep their doors open and improving infrastructure so our streets, parks and public spaces feel safe no matter which side of town you are on.

What experience do you bring to the table for this role? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

I am proud to bring over 30 years of advocacy in Long Beach, including my time over the past five years, delivering real results as a councilmember. While I made history as the first Latina wheelchair user elected to public office in the U.S., my true passion lies in the behind-the-scenes efforts to drive change that will last long beyond my days as a councilmember.

Much of this work is invisible to the public. Beyond the votes and public announcements are long nights, difficult dialogues about the future of our city and the weight of responsibility that comes with serving a diverse district with unique neighborhoods all facing different issues. This role requires a leader to make tough choices that may not always be popular.

We listen to feedback at the dais every Tuesday and use it to refine our investments, programs and priorities. Even when faced with backlash, we must remain steadfast, accept criticism and return to the work with renewed commitment every day. That dedication is essential to the job, and I am proud to continue to bring that willing and collaborative spirit to District 1.