Former Benicia City Councilman Lionel Largaespada says he is running to win back his seat.
Largaespada said he is driven to represent diverse viewpoints and ensure fiscal responsibility while supporting taxpayers, community groups and local businesses.
After a narrow defeat in November 2022, Largaespada said in a press release that he was “eager to return to the Benicia City Council to advocate for inclusive governance and effective financial oversight and management of city revenues.”
Largaespada served on the Benicia City Council from 2018 to 2022. During the pandemic, he initiated a grant program to support small businesses and secured additional funding for the Benicia Family Resource Center.
Largaespada said he will ensure that Benicia’s next budget meets the needs and priorities of residents, maintains essential services and promotes a stable economic environment for growth and prosperity. Recognizing the critical role of local businesses in Benicia’s economy, Largaespada said he will continue to advocate for initiatives that support economic growth and preserve the community’s unique character.
“Benicia is a vibrant community with a promising future,” Largaespada said in a press release. “I am committed to ensuring our city remains a place where every voice is heard, where we feel safe, where small businesses thrive and where fiscal discipline guides our decisions.”
Largaespada also said he is committed to working with various community stakeholders, city government and other council members to find common ground on critical issues such as housing and community development. He will champion the quality of life in Benicia and advocate for safe neighborhoods, a thriving downtown and initiatives that enhance the city’s cultural and historical heritage, he said.
Largaespada continues his volunteer involvement on the boards of the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, Benicia Main Street, and Benicia Community Action Council, and volunteers for several local organizations including Benicians Adopting Benicia, Benicia Grad Night, Benicia Peddlers Fair, Benicia Reads, and the Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation.
His experience includes previous roles as chair of the Benicia Economic Development Board, the Benicia Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee, a mentor at Benicia Middle School, the Matthew Turner Elementary Parent Teacher Association Auction Committee, and a supporter of the Kyle Hyland Foundation/Benicia Teen Center.
