This is my friend, Efrain Becerra. Efrain is a valued educator, artist, Latino activist, and Founder of AMELAT International Dance Company. On July 23, 2024 the last day of registration for candidates on the City Council for District 1 in Visalia California Efrain submitted his canidiancy for City Council in District One.

In a City of 147,000 people in the Fall 2024 two Districts were up for reelection, Efrain bravely chose to nominate himself because the incumbent went unchallenged. After getting involved at a previous local City Council meeting due to mismanagement of City Funds for a NEW LOGO, Efrain looked into his local government decided that change was in order. Once learning that the incumbent went unchallenged, he bravely nominated himself.

Resprentation matters; as an educator, community artist, and Latino activist, Efrain was running on a platform of not raising money, but only gathering the support of the community by campaigning door to door talking to constituents. Efrain's canidiancy brought awareness to our District City Council election for District 1. Being an educator Efrain is passionate about our local civic processes. This passion and love has come at a cost, the City of Visalia has put the price of $999 on running for City Council.

As we know teachers/educators in our public school systems do not get nearly enough to be able to pay their bills and live, never the less adding an unexpected bill on top of that. There isn't a form that waives the fees based on income; Efrain wasn't backed by any polictial party, big private donor, or any donors. He walked door to door, and canvased, What Efrain succeeded in was helping bringing awareness to how important our local City Elections are.

Please Donate, Like, or Share this Go Fund Me. We need more people like Efrain to keep our LOCAL CITY Governments Accountable. Let's HELP EFRAIN!!

Go check out Efrain on instagram @visalia_culture. The text was from an article featured in the Sun Gazette interviewing Efrain Becerra. Efrain lost our local election for District 1, but has inspired others to become more involved, and has opened up doors for conversation that wasn't taking place in the Latino/Hispanic community here in Visalia, CA.

*it is worth noting that of 147,000 people, 58% is Hispanic/Latino, ONLY ONE MEMBER OUT OF FIVE is HISPANIC. Visalia is located in the Central San Joaquin Valley in California in Tulare County. Visalia historically was a "Sundown" town, those effects are still felt and are Corruption Runs Deep in this TOWN. Check out this article https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2025/09/04/fppc-investigates-visalia-council-memebers-conflict-of-interest/85874513007/ there is so much more.... we aren't done yet!