Three candidates are running to represent Fullerton District 5 as a councilmember after incumbent Councilmember Ahmad Zahra announced he was not seeking reelection in December 2025.
David Fischbein, a quality assurance specialist and retired veteran of the United States Navy, wrote in his candidate statement that he intends to focus on responsible spending, safer streets, well-maintained infrastructure and government transparency.
Parks commissioner and chemist Jozef Maldonado wrote that he will seek to protect public safety funding, expand funding for the Senior Mobility Program and invest in small business development within the city’s downtown area.
Oscar Valadez, who is the current Fullerton commissioner and owner of Construction of JVC Inc., which has completed four Love Fullerton projects, promises to improve Fullerton roads, enhance parks and public spaces and enact more transparency in auditing the city’s budget if elected.
Aside from his work as commissioner, Valadez served on the Fullerton Planning and Parks and Recreation, Transparency and Circulation commissions. Valadez has volunteered at park cleanups and mobile food pantries, stating that he is running because he was born, raised and began his family in Fullerton.
Maldonado, who moved to Fullerton after the COVID-19 pandemic, was brought to Fullerton when he started working in Brea.
As District 5 encompasses the downtown district, Maldonado noted its value in stimulating the city’s small businesses within the downtown area.
Fischbein seeks to coordinate with Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College to pursue long-term agreements in an effort to pursue transparency and general developments in areas of student housing, public transportation and parking.
Maldonado recognized the role students play in the downtown economy and hopes to create a more walkable downtown for students, pitching a potential tram system to take them to and from downtown.
Maldonado stated he aims to revisit past council decisions, such as the noise ordinance enacted in the downtown area and the job reductions implemented to close the city’s deficit.
All candidates identified the need to spend wisely within Fullerton’s current deficit, with Valadez promising to protect taxpayer dollars, balance the budget and focus on city essentials.
On the deficit, Fischbein recognized notable pressure on the city budget, noting that three out of four general fund dollars are allocated toward police and fire services, and that he intends to “protect essential city services while making every taxpayer dollar work harder,” according to his website.
However, on his campaign website, Fischbein wrote that his top concern was public safety, emphasizing that he would not support dismantling or defunding the city’s police force and would seek to maintain retention and competitive compensation.
Valadez wrote that putting his community first is one of his priorities and that he wants to deliver results through collaboration.
Maldonado touches on this same priority, citing the need for collaboration within the city council as fundamental.
On infrastructure, both Maldonado and Valadez emphasized the need to create housing within the city, and Maldonado hopes to focus on fixing the city’s sidewalks, transportation system and bike lanes.
Maldonado is endorsed by current Councilmembers Zahra and Shana Charles, as well as Fullerton School Board Trustee Vanesa Estrella.
Valadez does not list names of endorsements on his campaign website, but writes he is endorsed by “community leaders, educators, small business owners, labor and working families, neighbors and faith and community organizations.”
Fischbein’s campaign website has an endorsements section, but it is password protected.
The Daily Titan reached out to Fischbein and Valadez for an interview, but did not receive a response.