BALDWIN PARK, Calif. — One of the youngest mayors in city history will soon take office in Baldwin Park.

Twenty-six-year-old Emmanuel Estrada beat incumbent mayor Manuel Lozano in his second run for the office. Estrada beat Lozano who has served two decades. He raised just $8,000 to the incumbent’s over $35,000 and won by 10 percentage points.


What You Need To Know

  • Emmanuel Estrada beat incumbent Manuel Lozano to become Baldwin Park's mayor-elect

  • In this, his second run for the office, Estrada raised just $8,000 to the incumbent's $35,000+

  • Estrada won by 10 percentage points

  • At 26, he is Baldwin Park's second youngest mayor ever

The husband and father will become the second-youngest mayor of Baldwin Park.

“Age does not matter. I don’t think any of that matters,” Estrada said. “A fancy degree or someone with a fancy title at work. None of that is going to translate into the best intentions for the community.”

One of his intentions is to give the city a fresh start. Baldwin Park city leaders have been in the headlines recently because of corruption allegations.

“I think it’s important that we increase transparency and increase trust in city hall. It’s very important that the residents can trust what’s going on inside these chambers,” Estrada said. “So we’re definitely looking at how we’re going to be able to change the image of the city and change the image of city hall.”

Estrada works full-time as a logistics coordinator and part-time as a cashier, a job he took on to fund his campaign. He says he’s happy to work hard like many of the working class families around town. Estrada was raised by a single mom who moved to Baldwin Park when he was 10 because she found a place she could afford. Now he sees homes that are out of reach financially for many who live in town.

“Affordable condominiums starting at $500,000 dollars…that’s not affordable to the average family, especially not here. Our medium household income is about $62,000 dollars,” Estrada said. “So when we’re talking about affordable we’re talking about affordable that actually meets the needs of the families living here.”

He's also concerned about life outside homes. He wants to develop more green spaces as the city is considered park poor.

“A lot of people are at home and they have nowhere else to go, now is the time to enjoy the green spaces,” Estrada said.

He admits he doesn’t have all the answers to the many issues he wants to improve. But, he says he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’m prepared as can be and I’m definitely also ready to take on the challenges and get out there and push for ambitious change,” Estrada said.

Estrada will be sworn in the first week of December.