Guest Opinion | Mayor Victor Gordo: Let’s Work Together Towards a Greater Pasadena!

Pasadena Now asked the mayoral candidates to answer a series of questions regarding their vision for the City. Coincidentally without provocation, we received op/eds from the mayoral candidates. We present them now to the residents of Pasadena.  

As I stand before you, a proud resident of Pasadena, a graduate of our public  schools, an advocate for working families, and your mayor seeking re-election, I  am compelled to reflect on the journey that has shaped me and why I ask for your vote to serve as Mayor of our beloved City.  

Born in Mexico, my parents came to the United States (Pasadena) in search of the  American dream when I was a 2–3-year-old child; I remained behind with my grandparents in the small farming village where I was born. As you might imagine,  my grandparents became parental figures.  

One of my first recollections of life is helping my grandfather on the farm by placing fertilizer on budding corn stalks. Anyone who has worked on a cornfield will know: fertilizer must be placed at least one (1) fist away from the plant or the fertilizer will kill the plant–at my age it meant 2 of my toddler fists.  

When I immigrated to the United States as a young child (4-5) to reunite with my parents, we lived in a garage. Pasadena became my home and I live 2 blocks from Madison Elementary, where I attended. Growing up the eldest of six, my siblings and I witnessed the tireless work ethic of my parents, both of whom held multiple jobs to provide for our family.

 My father – a hardworking dishwasher and cook at Ranchero’s Mexican Restaurant for five decades and my late mother, a seamstress who was paid by the piece – instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and the importance of community.  

From a young age, I took on odd jobs: I pushed a lawn mower, rake, and a can of gas around the neighborhood knocking on doors and earning $1-$3 per lawn.  Later, at the age of 9 until 17 years old, I delivered the Pasadena Star-News newspaper every day before school and every weekend. 

I spent evenings and weekends working at Ranchero’s to contribute to my family’s well-being. Despite facing challenges including the tragic loss of my mother when my youngest brother was only four, I learned English as my second language, pursued obtaining my education, became the first in my family to attend high school and college, ultimately earned a law degree and became an attorney.  

For over 30 years, I have dedicated myself to public service, first working for local nonprofits, as a Field Representative to then Vice-Mayor Bill Crowfoot, then as a  Pasadena Councilmember and now Pasadena Mayor. I provide for my family by practicing law on behalf of working families.  

As a Councilmember and the longest-serving president of the Rose Bowl  Operating Company, we successfully led the organization through a renovation that positioned our beloved stadium to compete with corporate professional stadiums and contribute to the vibrance of our city. How proud I was on January 1,  2024 to watch Michigan and Alabama battle it out as the rest of the Country tuned in on Pasadena!  

Throughout my tenure as Mayor, Pasadena has faced unprecedented challenges including the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fight for social justice/ inequity and the search for a new City Manager. Together with the City Council,  

we successfully navigated these challenges, guided our city through recovery, and remained steadfast in our commitment to fostering an improved quality of life for all residents as we reclaimed Pasadena’s position as a leader.  

With a keen eye on City fiscal matters, we navigated Pasadena through an ever changing economic landscape, monitoring inflation and securing revenue growth.  In the face of economic challenges, we have maintained a balanced budget and replenished our reserves to higher than pre-COVID levels. As Mayor and Chair of  the Finance Committee, I am committed to prioritizing prudent financial management, ensuring the financial stability of our city.  

Looking forward, I will continue to focus on quality-of-life issues, find ways to  support our school district, students, and their families, work with the PUSD,  Pasadena City College and Labor to create career technical education  opportunities for our students and residents, make certain our youngest residents,  our children 0-5, have the early learning opportunities and resources they need  for a strong and healthy start, ensure the City budget is balanced, support our strong and vibrant local economy and businesses, improve existing recreational facilities, continue to build new parks and protect open spaces, move forward sustainability initiatives, strengthen public safety, advocate for better wages, build affordable housing, and work with the County and State to address the homeless and mental health challenges faced by our neighbors, friends and family.  

A significant achievement that exemplifies the commitment to address homelessness and mental health challenges is the acquisition of the long-vacant former Kaiser Permanente property. This transformative project, at the southeast corner of Lake Avenue and Villa Street, aims to provide affordable housing and  health and mental health services—a one-stop hub for those in need. It will serve as a model to address the pressing issues head-on.  

My optimism for our community is fueled by recent victories such as the relinquishment of the 710-stub property and the awarding of over $180 million in  Measure R funding for critical infrastructure projects.  

I commit to you that working together we will continue to address community needs and make Pasadena better for all. Earlier this year, Vogue Magazine almost  got it right when it referred to Pasadena as an “epicenter.” Working together we will prove that Pasadena is the Center of the Universe!  

It is an honor and privilege to serve as your Mayor and I thank you for that honor and privilege.