Aug 06

Supervisorf Joe Baca Jr. Speaks August 14

See below for more information.

Dec 13

Democrats: Do Not Support Benito Barrios

San Bernardino Democratic Luncheon Club Official Do-Not-Support Position

The San Bernardino Democratic Luncheon Club UNANIMOUSLY opposes Benito Barrios for City Council, Ward 2. Do-Not-Support declarations have been rare in our club’s history. However, Barrios’ record is so disturbing, so unethical, and so incompatible with Democratic values that we feel compelled to advise fellow Democrats.

Abuse of Power: As a councilman, Barrios was caught by the media calling the police chief in the middle of the night seeking special treatment after being stopped for driving on a suspended license, while he was actively a fugitive from the law. He has been a fugitive twice. This is not leadership; it’s entitlement.”

Dangerous Judgment: Barrios attempted to sell guns from the dais during a council meeting in a city struggling with some of California’s worst gun-violence rates. He also posted to his public social media account a video claiming that Satanists inside and outside the United States government had built mind-control devices capable of implanting thoughts and driving people to suicide. The post remained on his page for fifteen days. The archived Facebook post is available at archive.ph/2pD4j. A councilman votes on police staffing, a $329.5 million city budget, and partnerships with mental health services. This is not a person who should be making those decisions.

Pro-Trump Actions and Endorsing Trump:Barrios signed a pro-Trump letter praising Donald Trump and inviting his federal law enforcement into San Bernardino despite Trump conditioning it on extra ICE and immigration enforcement, even as Trump attacked immigrants, destroyed unions, arrested union leaders, and targeted working families. The San Bernardino County Young Democrats and immigrant-rights groups condemned the letter and him at the time. We condemn Benito Barrios now. Benito Barrios also outright endorsed Donald Trump for President in 2016.

Toxic MAGA Alliances: He is a close ally of disgraced MAGA mayor John Valdivia, who was censured and embroiled in corruption and sexual harassment scandals. Barrios publicly endorsed him and benefited from that political machine. Dangerous Judgment: Barrios attempted to sell guns from the dais during a council meeting in a city struggling with some of California’s worst gun-violence rates. Rejected by Voters: He is now on his fifth run for office. He lost re-election in his primary with only 29.7% of the vote, failed to qualify a write-in attempt, and failed to qualify for the ballot again when he ran against Jan 6 hero Representative Pete Aguilar. And at a March 18, 2026 council meeting Barrios even frivolously threatened legal action against San Bernardino City’s Democratic Party chapters and a 14 year old child, Andy Fuentes for speaking out against his pro Trump record during public comments. Democrats must ask themselves: Why would any Democratic leader in San Bernardino or beyond support a failed councilman with a pro-Trump record, a history of abusing power, and ties to MAGA corruption within the city? Ward 2 deserves stability, competence, and real Democratic values, not a return to the chaos of Barrios, Valdivia, Elliot and Ibarra. The City of San Bernardino and Ward 2 cannot have our heart broken again in a city that has run out of hearts to give.

We urge all Democrats: DO NOT SUPPORT Benito Barrios for City Council, Ward 2 and join us in actively campaigning against him with time and money. UNANIMOUSLY resolved by the San Bernardino Democratic Luncheon Club on December 5, 2025.

Sources, References, and Quotes can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bR5xi7Js9iGiQvLcxmLGvo9Htcmjxtfl/view?usp=sharing  (Copy and paste this link into your browser.)

Nov 20

Meeting Calendar and Speakers

Meetings are Fridays at 12:15 PM at Juan Pollo Restaurant, 1258 West 5th Street, San Bernardino, California.

AUG 14 Our speaker is Joe Baca Jr.  

Joe Baca, Jr. has proudly served the 5th District of San Bernardino County since 2020, tirelessly working on behalf of his constituents from the cities of Colton, San Bernardino, and Rialto, as well as the unincorporated areas of Bloomington, Muscoy, Arrowhead Farms, Little Third, El Rancho Verde, and Rosena Ranch. In January 2025, Supervisor Baca was honored to be named Vice Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, reflecting his dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for residents throughout the district.

Supervisor Baca, Jr. knows the County of San Bernardino well. He was raised in Rialto, where he attended local public schools and pursued higher education in the county, earning degrees from San Bernardino Valley College and Cal State University at San Bernardino. He also earned his master’s from Azusa Pacific University.

Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. has been dedicated to public service his entire working life. He worked in law enforcement, before becoming a teacher at Rialto Unified Schools District. He taught for fifteen years in Rialto, while also coaching girls’ softball. He also served on the Rialto City Council from 2007-2020 and was a member of the California State Assembly from 2004 through 2006.

As a former teacher and head coach for the softball team at Rialto High School, Supervisor Baca, Jr. has a better understanding of the needs of young people in the community and has always believed in investing in projects that directly impact our youth. His experience teaching and coaching has helped him build relationships with young people and their parents and helped him create partnerships within the community who were also dedicated to helping the public.

As Supervisor for the 5th district, Supervisor Baca, Jr. has been actively working with Governor Newsom and the State of California to deal with crises due to weather and to the Covid outbreak. His hard work has resulted in bring numerous infrastructure projects to the county, including road enhancements, sidewalk improvements, revitalizing neighborhoods, and strengthening the community.

He has also focused on public safety, with measures implemented to safeguard residents and support fire and law enforcement agencies, along with bringing affordable housing projects to the county, like Rialto Metro Link South. The enhancement of fire stations throughout the district has added public safety officers in the Bloomington and Rosena Ranch communities. He believes in giving back to the community, improving road conditions, and enhancing and revitalizing public spaces for families and residents in underserved areas.

AUG 21: City Manager Eric Levitt will speak. Levitt brings more than 20 years of city management experience, having previously served in Alameda, Simi Valley, Janesville, Wisconsin, Sedona, Arizona, and most recently Fullerton, where he developed an economic development plan, improved infrastructure funding, and cut staffing vacancies. Levitt started as San Bernardino City Manager just this month. This will be one of his first public appearances