Mario Trujillo announces candidacy for Downey City Council

DOWNEY — Mario Trujillo, a deputy district attorney and long-time Downey resident, has announced his candidacy for the District 5 Downey city-wide Council seat.  He is seeking to replace Councilman Alex Saab, who is being termed out of office and has endorsed Trujillo.

Trujillo is a former elementary school teacher in South Los Angeles where he learned firsthand “the community effort necessary to educate young minds.” Teacher by day, Trujillo pursued his calling to become a lawyer and earned his Juris Doctorate by attending law school at night. 

He was sworn in as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney in 1996 and has served the community for over 23 years.  

Trujillo’s trial assignment was with the Hard-Core Gang Division. This group of highly specialized trial attorneys prosecute the most difficult gang-related murder cases in Los Angeles County. He also served as a felony prosecutor in the Victim Impact Program, handling emotionally charged and sensitive cases involving the physical and sexual abuse of children as well as domestic violence cases.

“My dedication to victim’s rights and public safety has prepared me to help keep Downey residents safe,” says Trujillo. 

“I will continue to focus on public safety and health for all Downey residents, establish an economic recovery program for residents and small business owners, city government transparency, encourage community engagement while being fiscally responsible,” said Trujillo.

Trujillo said he was raised “with a clear understanding that civic engagement and education is a vital component to improve the quality of life” for his family and community. In his proudest role, Trujillo is an active father raising three children in Downey while teaching them the values of Character Counts and community involvement.

“There is no greater gift than helping those in need,” he said.  

He is currently a board member for the Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LACADA), an agency that provides mental health counseling and treatment services to residents across the county. He is also a Downey Recreation and Community Services commissioner, appointed by Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco.  

Trujillo is past president of Downey Kiwanis Club and former lieutenant governor of Kiwanis Club division 13.  Trujillo’s public service has not gone unnoticed. He was named Attorney of the year by Southeast District Bar Association and in 2019 was presented with the Access to Justice Award by Ferias Legales, a Downey based non-profit organization that provides free legal services to the community. 

Trujillo is past president of the Mexican American Bar Association and a past associate adjunct instructor at Southwestern Law School. He served on the Gallatin Elementary School site council and has served as a board member for Community Lawyer’s Inc., the Downey Kiwanis Foundation and the Downey YMCA.

Trujillo is endorsed by Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco, Downey Mayor Pro Tem Claudia M. Frometa, Downey Council Member Alex Saab, former Downey Mayor Fernando Vasquez, as well as current Downey Planning commissioners Miguel Duarte and Nolveris Frometa.

“Mario Trujillo’s commitment to serving our community for over 30 years demonstrates he has the heart and passion needed to represent Downey. I look forward working with him on the Downey city council,” said Downey Mayor Pacheco.

Trujillo is also endorsed by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia.   

The election will be held on Nov. 3, 2020.