Eric Arias for Bakersfield City Council · Ward 1
Eric Arias is delivering practical investments in parks, infrastructure, housing, and public safety across Southeast Bakersfield.
Meet Eric
Since 2020, Eric Arias has represented Ward 1 on the Bakersfield City Council while also serving as President & CEO of United Way of Central Eastern California, leading a regional nonprofit that serves more than 10,000 people annually across Kern, Inyo, and Mono counties.
On the Council, Eric has fought for fairer district maps, major Southeast Bakersfield investments, park improvements, traffic calming, affordable housing, and structurally balanced budgets that protect core city services.
Priorities
Eric’s priorities are clear: reduce crime, improve quality of life, and secure Ward 1’s fair share of investment.
Eric supported Bakersfield’s violence-intervention strategy and related public safety investments as homicides declined from 60 in 2021 to 26 in 2024 and shootings fell from 109 to 44.
Ward 1 deserves safe parks, maintained streets, cleaner corridors, and reliable city services — not promises that stop at City Hall.
Eric has consistently pushed public investment toward historically underserved neighborhoods in Southeast Bakersfield.
Supporters
Eric’s supporters include labor organizations, public servants, and community leaders who believe in a stronger Ward 1.
News
Read Eric’s latest writing and media coverage.
Community Voices · The Bakersfield Californian
Eric calls for Bakersfield to move beyond repeated cleanups by using administrative citations, escalating fines, and stronger enforcement against repeat illegal dumpers.
“What is happening in this stretch of Ward 1 would not be tolerated in other parts of our city, and our residents here deserve the same responsiveness as anywhere else.”Read at The Bakersfield Californian
Op-ed
Eric argues for a structurally balanced budget that protects core services families rely on — fire response, parks, code enforcement, public safety staffing, and quality-of-life investments.
“We don't have to choose between a balanced budget and investing in our community, we can do both.”Read at The Bakersfield Californian
Community Voices · Response
The Kern County Taxpayers Association’s executive director credits Eric for engaging seriously with Bakersfield’s budget tradeoffs, then presses the city for a public five-year plan toward structural balance.
“He engaged with the substance, conceded a fair point, and argued with specifics rather than slogans.”Read at The Bakersfield Californian
Local news
United Way of Central Eastern California announced Eric as president and CEO, recognizing the dedication, leadership, and community impact he brings to the organization.
Read at BakersfieldNowPublic safety
Eric and Councilmember Chris Parlier proposed a city ordinance requiring proof of ownership for detached catalytic converters and expanding public-safety dispatch resources.
Read at BakersfieldNowStreet safety
Eric joined city, county, and bicycle-safety leaders in urging Caltrans to improve Union Avenue for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people with disabilities.
Read at BakersfieldNowCommunity
Mothers Against Gang Violence and community members marched through Southeast Bakersfield to call for an end to gang violence. Eric joined a follow-up neighborhood walk focused on MLK Park and the surrounding area.
Read at BakersfieldNowGallery
Serving Ward 1, from City Hall to the neighborhood.
Get involved
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Campaign contact
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