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. On July 20, this year, he 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.)
specialist, homelessness expert, and educator who works full time in Ward 2 to end homelessness, reduce street violence, and protect victims of crime. After one of his close friends was tragically murdered by gangs just three blocks from the home he grew up in, Christian knew that San Bernardino needed change, and he committed his life to being part of that change.