South Gate For Change

Meet South Gate For Change

For over 16 years, the same controlling majority of the council have run South Gate into a financial crisis, while pushing new taxes on residents instead of fixing the problem.

South Gate residents have seen their city neglected by people who claim to represent them, and they're coming together behind Jimmy Ozaeta and Edgar Pelayo to demand change.

South Gate is facing a budget deficit of over $9.4 million, according to the City's own FY26-27 Adopted Budget. This isn't a one-year problem, it's the result of more than 16 years of the same controlling majority making decisions that protect insiders and special interests instead of residents.

Instead of confronting the deficit with real fiscal discipline, the current majority's answer has been to ask residents and businesses to pay more through a Utility Users Tax. Meanwhile, basic city infrastructure goes unaddressed, transparency is treated as optional, and community priorities take a back seat to political self-preservation.

South Gate doesn't have a revenue problem. It has a leadership problem.

That is why hundreds of residents, neighbors, small business owners, parents, longtime South Gate families are coming together in a growing movement. They are tired of watching their streets, parks, and neighborhoods neglected by the controlling majority of the council that claim to represent them while answering to special interests instead. This is a grassroots neighbor-led campaign standing up together and saying enough is enough.

Jimmy Ozaeta and Edgar Pelayo are stepping forward because South Gate residents are demanding change. Jimmy and Edgar are not career politicians, they're neighbors who grew up and have continued to advocate for South Gate residents and are ready to bring real accountability and transparency to city hall.

Why Team South Gate For Change?

South Gate For Change is a grassroots neighbor-led movement. This movement is not backed by political action committees (PACs). We are not funded by lobbyists, developers or special interests looking for favors at City Hall.

Jimmy Ozaeta and Edgar Pelayo are your neighbors, the kind you'd wave to at South Gate Park and a local grocery store. This campaign runs on South Gate resident’s door knocking, not backroom deals. Real change in South Gate won't come from consultants and special interests, it will come from neighbors like you, standing up for the city we call home.

Follow the Money

South Gate residents deserve to know: Who's really paying for the incumbents' campaign? Who pays for their political mailers? Who pays for their lawn signs and banners across the city? Who develops their coordinated messaging? That operation is paid for by lobbyists and special interests. Residents deserve a straight answer.

We are asking the questions on behalf of residents:

  • Whose names are actually on the checks behind their political campaigns?

  • Are political action committees (PACs) or outside groups paying for their materials and if so, what do those groups want and get in return for their campaign contributions?

  • Why does opposition research and false attacks against other candidates always seem to appear right on cue?

Every campaign in California is required to disclose its funding sources through the FPPC. We would encourage every voter to look up who is actually bankrolling the incumbents' campaign before November 3, 2026.

The Candidates

Priorities

South Gate needs real transparency, responsible budgeting, and trustworthy leadership. We need leaders that show up consistently for the community, not just during election season.

If elected to the South Gate City Council, our focus will be on maximizing your tax dollars through clear, actionable priorities.

  • South Gate is facing a forecasted $9.4 million budget deficit. Our tax dollars deserve better stewardship for the benefit of our community and future generations.

    We will fight for proper use of public funds, budget oversight, and financial clarity so you know how your money is being spent.

    We will end wasteful spending, reject unnecessary tax increases, and direct every dollar toward real community needs.

  • South Gate residents deserve to know exactly how their city is run and where every tax dollar goes. Every contract. Every vote. Every closed-door deal. It all belongs in the open because transparency is our right.

    Right now, that trust is broken. Rebuilding it starts with electing leaders who answer to South Gate residents - not to the lobbyists, PACs, labor unions, and corporate donors who write the checks that keep the current majority in power.

  • South Gate's streets, parks, and public facilities have been neglected for too long while city leadership looked the other way.

    We will prioritize the infrastructure projects that matter and deliver real results for our neighborhoods.

  • We will open the doors of City Hall with regular town hall meetings, transparent budget briefings, and professional bilingual communication that actually reaches residents.

    Improving opportunities for resident participation so that local government works with the community and for the community.

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Endorsements

  • Ruben & Osbaldo

    22-year South Gate Residents & Community Advocates

  • Salvador & Norma

    SELA Community Advocates

  • William

    35-year South Gate Resident

  • Ortiz Family

    44-year South Gate Residents

  • Cindy & Refugio

    40-year South Gate Residents

  • Carlos

    14-year South Gate Resident

  • Tony

    South Gate High School Alumni

  • Lourdes

    South Gate Resident

  • Arturo & Irma

    41-year South Gate Residents & Community Advocates

  • Jesus

    43-year South Gate Resident

  • Yglesias Family

    37-year South Gate Resident

  • Jessica & Jayden

    13-year South Gate Resident

  • Aleman Family

    25-year South Gate Residents

  • Meza Family

    25-year South Gate Residents