SACRAMENTO – Declaring “my only special interests are people,”
civil rights activist Efren Guttierrez today (Feb. 9) officially
announced his candidacy for Sacramento City Council, District 1 –
and he didn’t’ waste anytime slamming big special interest money
that dominates local campaign races.

“I will only have one special interest: The People. I will not
accept contributions from large developers and similar special
interests because ‘It’s About Time’ the grip of those special
interests on the city is broken,” pledged Guttierrez, 54, a local
real estate broker and community activist as he stood outside
Sacramento City Hall with dozens of supporters.

Guttierrez is the executive director of Chicano Consortium, and
president of the La Raza Sacramento Chapter. He’s also on CORE’s
steering committee and a member of a large number of social
justice groups, including the Dept. of Justice Hate Crime Task
Force, Latino Congreso, Sacramento Mentor Program and Rescue &
Restore Coalition (anti-human trafficking), among many others listed.

Guttierrez, who held his event at a City Hall memorial of former
Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna, repeatedly used his theme “It’s About
Time,” referring to the 11 years since a Latino has been on the
Sacramento City Council. More than 22 percent of Sacramento’s
population is Latino, and it’s nearly about 27 percent in
District 1 – largely in the Natomas area.

Guttierrez said one of his goals is to “stop lining the pockets
of the wealthy and super wealthy who get special favors (from the
City). The time of sweetheart deals from the city to these
companies is over. I wan to generate not just any jobs, but
living wage jobs,” he said.

“We also need to focus on the kids…(and) provide them with an
education not just from books, but how to survive in their
community, and on this planet. We need to teach life skills,”
Guttierrez said. He also said he hopes to launch an effort to
help people in the city with soaring health care costs. “This is
everyone’s problem,” he said.

Guttierrez acknowledged that his campaign will not have large
campaign coffers because of his refusal to accept corporate
special interest money. But, he said, his “people” campaign will
be “fueled” by social justice organizations and volunteers.

“I will have the aid…of those who truly care about others more
than their own bottom line. The people have been down too long
and fooled too often by politicians. But I am not a politician.
This campaign will be about people,” he said.

More information can be found at www.EfrenGcitycouncil.org.