City of Salinas City Council Councilmember Anthony Rocha

Though he was just 21 when he took office on the Salinas City Council in 2020, Anthony Rocha already had been elected to the Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees and had served on the Monterey County Behavioral Health Commission, and the Salinas Library and Community Services Commission. On his campaign site, Rocha said he ran for the council “because as someone who has been raised in the 6th district, I feel a special connection and more importantly a sense of duty to advocate for my neighborhood.” In an article by Voices of Monterey titled “An Infusion of Youthful Enthusiasm,” Rocha said he is “going into City Hall with a restorative justice mindset, with an accountability mindset and with a reform mindset.” 

First elected: 2020

Alma maters: Hartnell Community College (associate’s degree, liberal arts). Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Cruz.

Notable quote: “We need stronger inclusionary housing ordinances, mixed use developments, increased density and meaningful community benefits agreements. In addition I would advocate for partnerships with nonprofits to build 100% affordable units.” (Source: Q&A on Landwatch.org)

Board and committee assignments
Finance Committee
Housing and Land Use Committee/Future Growth Area
Salinas Downtown Community Board member
Salinas Police Activities League Advisory Board member
Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board member
Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority Board member