“Like so many of us who grew up in Chula Vista, my story is shaped by people like you: A loving community of neighbors, teachers, community leaders, and family members who worked hard to give my generation a

better life.”

- Ammar Campa-Najjar

MEET AMMAR

 

I was born in East San Diego County and raised in Chula Vista by my mother, the child of Mexican immigrants. Growing up with a single parent, we lived on both sides of the 805, searching across West and East Chula Vista for housing we could afford.

I worked as a janitor and groundskeeper at Eastlake Community Church while attending Eastlake High School to help make ends meet. My mom and mentors inspired me to graduate from Southwestern College and SDSU, and pursue a life of service.

What began as a community organizing job in Chula Vista turned into an opportunity that would change my life — working for President Barack Obama at the White House.

 

After the White House, I served as an executive at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce advocating for small businesses, and as a federal official at the U.S. Department of Labor serving working families like the ones I grew up with.

As a third-generation Chula Vistan and businessman, I’m offering new leadership for a city on the verge of new possibilities as we transition into a post-pandemic economy. A new bayfront development and new university will unleash new industries, jobs, housing opportunities, and new revenue to tend to long neglected services like our roads, public safety, schools, and small business grants. We won’t get there by recycling the same career politicians, who for decades, have promised and failed to deliver long-overdue projects. We can’t afford to wait 20 more years for these opportunities.

 

We need a new mayor who has the energy to work hard, bring people together to settle differences, and deliver results to meet this moment with a renewed vision for Chula Vista.

I’m giving my whole heart and soul to Chula Vista. I’m not just running because I’ll use my experiences and relationships to build partnerships to improve our city’s economy and way of life — which I’ll do. I’m running because I believe in the transformative power of turning our collective pain into collective purpose, to build a beloved community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the love and support they need to believe in themselves and chase their dreams. That’s what Chula Vista gave me as a son of an immigrant, single parent, working-class kid with dreams of helping change the world — that’s the city I hope to build for your children as mayor.