Cerritos Employees Endorse Four Candidates; Only Three Seats Are Up For Election


Cerritos, California - Cerritos city employees, represented by AFSCME Local 619, did something very bold and unusual. They endorsed four candidates in a race with only three open seats.

Cerritos employees announced their endorsements for the March 4 General Election for Cerritos City Council. While only three seats are open in this cycle, the union has taken the extraordinary step of endorsing four candidates, recognizing that an exceptional group of individuals have emerged as true champions for working families and the community at large. 

The endorsed candidates are:
Mark Pulido
Jennifer Hong
Pat Patnaik
Riaz Surti

“Our endorsement process is driven by our commitment to ensuring strong, principled leadership in Cerritos,” said Rogan Girard, President of AFSCME Local 619. “This year, we encountered a unique situation where more than three candidates clearly stood out as aligned with our values, vision, and dedication to public service. Rather than limit our support arbitrarily, we chose to endorse all four, as each brings something valuable to the future of our city.”

AFSCME Local 619’s decision reflects the union’s recognition that transformative leadership requires a broad coalition of committed individuals. The endorsed candidates have each demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges faced by city workers and Cerritos residents, and they have shown the courage and capability to take on those challenges.

The union welcomes requests for support from each candidate and looks forward to collaborating with them to ensure a successful campaign. AFSCME Local 619 members will be mobilizing to provide in-kind coordinated support as part of their commitment to a stronger, more equitable Cerritos.

For more information about AFSCME Local 619’s endorsements or to request interviews, please contact Rogan Girard at (669) 244-1996 or President@afscme619.org.

About AFSCME Local 619

AFSCME Local 619 represents dedicated City workers in Cerritos, CA, who play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the services and quality of life for the community. A local union of AFSCME District Council 36 and an affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO—the nation’s largest public sector employee union— AFSCME Local 619 has a long-standing record of engaging consistently in the city’s electoral contests to support candidates who are committed to improving the quality of life for working families. In that spirit, the union is proud to support leadership that aligns with these values.


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