Only 24, Dalejuan Peevy is this year’s youngest Downey candidate

DOWNEY — Dalejuan Peevy is just 24 but he has his sights set on the City Council.

Peevy was born in Paramount and raised in Downey. He is a product of the Downey Unified School District, graduating from Downey High School in 2014.

He recently earned his degree in Criminal Justice from Long Beach City College, and is actively pursuing becoming a police officer in the Los Angeles Police Department.

He recently self-published his biography through Amazon.

The 24-year-old candidate says that he has been heavily involved in politics for several years, working for several presidential campaigns including for Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

He says that the current council race seemed like the perfect time to enter the political arena himself.

“I think that 2020 is very serious; this is the most serious election of our generation,” said Peevy. “I think that this is the perfect timing for me to seek office because I believe I am knowledgeable enough and have what it takes to improve District 3 of Downey.”

Though not connected to the usual clubs of the city, Peevy says that he has helped out with the homeless community.

“It just breaks my heart when I pass by the freeway and certain stores, and you look around and there is homeless,” said Peevy. “With the conditions that we’re living now with the pandemic, it seems like that’s getting worse, you know, with unemployment and so many people without jobs.

“I just feel like those group of people that are homeless and less fortunate, those people are being left behind. I feel like there isn’t a voice that’s speaking up to help those groups of people.”

Peevy says that District 3 is “wonderful” but if elected he hopes to “improve a few things.”

He runs on a platform of homeless, job creation and better wages, affordable housing and rent control, and public safety.

“There are so many people that’s laid off and don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and I want to support those people,” said Peevy. “I want to invest in the future of District 3. Not only now, but when I’m done with council, I just want to make sure the future is in great hands.”

He also says that he wants to improve public safety, and does not support the defunding of police as many nationwide have called for.

“I don’t agree with defunding the police, because we need the police,” said Peevy. “If something happens, who are you going to call? The police.”

“The police is there to protect us and keep the community safe; we always need the police. If we don’t have the proper funding for the police, then what? We need as much funds as we can for the police department. No matter what city, what state you’re in, the police need to be funded.”

Peevy will face off against candidates Catherine Alvarez and Eric Pierce.

When asked how he felt he stacked up against his competitors, Peevy said that he will “listen to the community and do something about it.”

“We all have our own personal things that we do in life as far as volunteering or whatever club you’re in,” said Peevy. “But I feel what puts me over those candidates is…I will listen to the problems of the voters and do something about their situation.”

“There’s a lot of people in politics, once they get elected, they fall back on everything that they did, or was involved in. I want to be the one that cares for the needs of the voters in the community. Young, old, it doesn’t matter who you are; I want to listen to solve those problems the best way that I can.”

At the time of writing, Peevy does not have an official website. He can, however, be found on Facebook and can be emailed at dalejuanpeevy2@gmail.com.