Michael Morales runs for El Centro City Council, aiming to challenge the ‘status quo’
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – As the November 3 election approaches, longtime Imperial County resident and former city employee Michael Morales is launching a campaign for the El Centro City Council.
Morales brings a unique blend of municipal experience, labor union leadership, and community service to the race. His platform centers heavily on economic relief, systemic collaboration, and challenging the city’s current direction.
Morales’ deep ties to El Centro include a decade of service as a city mechanic, giving him firsthand knowledge of local public works and infrastructure.
He later transition to a leadership role with the Teamsters Union, serving as a union steward and later as a business representative.
According to Morales, his extensive history handling labor laws, navigating city and county government regulations, and understanding public sector management equips him with the precise tools needed to break through bureaucratic gridlock.
“I don’t think the status quo is working,” Morales stated, explaining his decision to enter the political arena. “I want change, and now that I’m retired, if change isn’t coming, then it’s up to me and the residents to make that change happen. That’s why I’m stepping up.”
Morales is zeroing in on the heavy economic burdens weighing down Imperial Valley families, noting that local government must step up to alleviate the impacts of inflation.
“We’re all being crushed by these high costs of rent, gas, groceries…you name it,” Morales said. “People are living paycheck to paycheck. So, I believe it is the responsibility of city government to see how we can bring relief to the individuals of this community.”
To address quality-of-life concerns, Morales has proposed a concrete list of local community initiatives. His main campaign priorities include:
Implementing an affordable city childcare center. Establishing a community garden and co-op store to ease food costs. Expanding developmental resources for youth to safely grow. Prioritizing crime prevention and local substance abuse treatment resources. Upgrading aging city infrastructure.
A major pillar of Morales’ strategy relies on bridging the gap between historically divided sectors. He credits his diverse background with showing him how private businesses and government entities can work hand-in-hand rather than against each other.
“That is my focus…is to bring government and city entities, private businesses, and nonprofits together to find solutions to raise the quality of life for the residents of El Centro,” Morales emphasized.
Beyond his career experience, Morales has put that philosophy into practice as an active leader and volunteer with ten local non-profits across the Valley.
He maintains that true civic leadership can only happen if council members are actively engaging with their constituents.
“I think it’s vital. That’s the way you learn, that’s the way you gain knowledge is by listening to the community and knowing what they want, what their concerns are, what they’re going through,” Morales said. “I don’t have all the answers…but I’d love to learn.”
El Centro voters will have a direct opportunity to speak with Morales about his platform ahead of the election.
He will be hosting a community meet-and-greet event on Thursday, October 8, at Rosa’s Plane Food in El Centro. The event will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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