Aram Ayra
Candidate for City Council Member, Riverside, District 2 · Educator/City Commissioner
Aram Ayra is a longtime Ward 2 resident who has lived in Riverside for over a decade. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in higher education administration and policy, both from UC Riverside. He works as Associate Director of Development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire, where he has expanded mentorship programs across the region. During the COVID-19 pandemic he worked with FEMA to support local recovery efforts and help residents and small businesses access resources, and he founded the Riverside Mutual Aid Network, which delivered hygiene kits, masks and food to residents in need. He previously served as president of the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership, chaired the city's Human Relations Commission, and currently represents Ward 2 on the city's Budget Engagement Commission and serves on the UC Riverside Alumni Board.
Positions in brief
Ayra is campaigning on housing affordability, public safety and wildfire preparedness, cost of living, and neighborhood quality of life for Ward 2.
Ayra's platform for Ward 2 includes expanding housing options that are affordable, sustainable and accessible for working families, protecting renters, and addressing the root causes of homelessness. On public safety, he wants to improve 911 response times, strengthen emergency preparedness and wildfire prevention, and better allocate resources for first responders. On cost of living, he wants to keep utility bills affordable for Riverside Public Utilities customers and expand access to affordable childcare and food security for working families. He also wants to invest in better street and infrastructure maintenance, responsibly manage the city's budget and tax dollars, and protect neighborhoods from warehouse development, pollution and truck traffic. He has been endorsed by Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medina, former Mayor Ron Loveridge, outgoing Ward 2 Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, and local labor, nursing and academic-worker unions.
On the issues
Wants to expand housing options that are affordable, sustainable and accessible for working families, while protecting renters.
“Expand housing options that are affordable, sustainable, and accessible for working families”
Source →Wants to ensure safe neighborhoods with wildfire prevention and faster 911 response times.
“Ensure safe neighborhoods with wildfire prevention and fast 911-response times.”
Source →Wants to keep utility bills affordable for Riverside Public Utilities ratepayers and support working families with affordable childcare and stronger food security.
“Keep utility bills affordable and stand up for RPU ratepayers.”
Source →Wants to tackle the root causes of the homelessness crisis.
“Tackle the root causes of the homelessness crisis.”
Source →Wants to responsibly manage the city's budget and tax dollars.
“Responsibly manage our budget and tax dollars.”
Source →Wants to protect neighborhoods from warehouse development, pollution and truck traffic while investing in parks and infrastructure.
“Protect our neighborhoods from warehouses, pollution, and truck traffic.”
Source →Wants to invest in better maintenance of streets, infrastructure and neighborhoods.
“Invest in better maintenance of our streets, infrastructure, and neighborhoods.”
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