Carolina Chavez
Candidate for City Council Member, Chula Vista, District 1
Carolina Chavez has represented Chula Vista's District 1 on the City Council since December 2022, becoming the district's first Latina and binational council member; her colleagues elected her Deputy Mayor in December 2024. She currently serves as Director of Binational Affairs and Public Relations for SIMNSA Health Plan, focused on healthcare access in underserved communities. Earlier in her career she worked as a journalist and as a policy advisor for the City of San Diego, and she chaired the International Business Association of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She represents Chula Vista on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) board, where she chairs the Borders Committee and serves on the Public Safety Committee, and also sits on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System board and the South County Economic Development Council. She received the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce's 'Bridge Builder' award in 2024.
Positions in brief
Chavez's platform centers on expanding affordable housing options across income levels, strengthening public-safety resources, and growing job and workforce-training partnerships between local businesses and schools. She also prioritizes homelessness solutions, transit accessibility, and making city government more responsive to residents.
Chavez points to a first-term record that includes advancing the Chula Vista Entertainment Complex, a planned film and creative-production hub she says is projected to generate $545 million and hundreds of jobs; backing one of the county's strongest Project Labor Agreements to guarantee fair wages and local hiring; and a council resolution opposing federal tariffs she said threatened local businesses. On education, she supported bringing SDSU, UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos degree programs to Chula Vista and helped secure funding for the city's first new library in nearly 30 years, in East Chula Vista. On public safety, she backed competitive pay increases meant to improve police retention and the addition of 47 security personnel on trolley trains and stations, and helped coordinate the city's emergency response to the Border 2 fire. On transportation, she championed the 910 Overnight Express bus service for evening and night-shift workers and has pushed to eliminate tolls on State Route 125. On housing and homelessness, she strengthened the city's first-time homebuyer down-payment assistance program, supported the Unsafe Camping Ordinance paired with wraparound services, and points to the Palomar Point project's 27 permanent supportive-housing units — including seven for veterans — as part of what she describes as a 40% drop in homelessness from 2024 to 2025. Looking ahead, she says she wants to expand housing options that serve all income levels, build job-training partnerships with labor unions and schools, bring a senior center to District 1, and bring city government closer to residents.
On the issues
Supports giving police and other public-safety personnel more resources and support, and prioritizes keeping streets and sidewalks safe.
“ensuring our public safety personnel have the support and resources they need”
Source →Wants to expand housing options at every income level, from workforce housing to first-time homebuyer assistance, paired with the infrastructure new development needs.
“housing solutions that serve all income levels - from workforce housing to first-time homebuyer opportunities”
Source →Wants to streamline city processes and expand funding access for small businesses, and to build job-training partnerships with labor unions and schools.
“I will work to create partnerships with labor unions, local businesses, and our higher education institution to develop apprenticeships and training programs.”
Source →Supports expanding shelter, supportive services and long-term housing options for people experiencing homelessness while keeping neighborhoods safe.
“I will continue to work with our city staff, nonprofit providers, and regional partners to expand access to shelter, supportive services, and long-term housing solutions.”
Source →Wants to make city government more accessible so residents better understand and can use available services and assistance programs.
“I am committed to bringing city hall closer to our residents and making sure people know what's available and can easily access the help they need.”
Source →Supported bringing SDSU, UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos degree programs to Chula Vista and secured funding for the city's first new library in nearly 30 years.
“South Bay residents can now earn a four-year degree without leaving home. I proudly supported bringing SDSU, UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos programs right here to Chula Vista”
Source →Championed a new overnight express bus route for night-shift workers and has pushed regionally to eliminate tolls on State Route 125.
“Championed the 910 Overnight Express to serve South Bay residents and binational workers, ensuring that people working evening and night shifts have safe, reliable transportation home.”
Source →
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