Louis Morales officially joins race for City Council

DOWNEY – Louis Morales officially announced his candidacy for City Council last week, confirming he will seek to replace Roger Brossmer, who is termed out of office this November. 

Morales, 52, is the owner of his own economic development consulting firm and has served on the Downey Planning Commission since 2009, an appointee of Brossmer. 

"The city has seen tremendous growth and progress since I have been serving on the Planning Commission where I have served as commission chairman twice and led in the approval of the city's award-winning Downtown Specific Plan," said Morales. 

"The city is in the midst of an economic development renaissance with approved Planning Commission projects throughout the city that are now being completed. 

"Under my leadership and with the assistance and vision of my fellow commission colleagues, the city has seen the results of a revitalized downtown and the approval of many projects including but not limited to Portos, [Downey] Gateway, relocation and expansion of Downey Nissan, Champion Dodge redevelopment, new Bicycle Master Plan, Vallarta market center, Grocery Outlet, commercial development at Lakewood and Gallatin, and the approval of Downey’s newest regional retail center, the Promenade at Downey, which is a 77-acre development. 

"In addition, with the housing crisis still present, we have approved several housing developments to promote home ownership."

Morales worked city government – specifically planning and economic development – for 17 years before starting his own consulting firm in 2005. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning. 

If elected, Morales said his priorities would be to continue supporting sustainable development projects "that create quality jobs, foster neighborhood preservation, and advocate economic development through business retention and attraction." 

Morales describes himself as "pro business," and promised to "protect and maintain our fire and police departments." 

Morales is president of Downey Youth Football, first vice president of Gangs Out of Downey, and is past president of Warren High School's football booster club. 

"We live in a remarkable community filled with talented and educated people who share a deep appreciation for our core values as a Character Counts city," Morales said. "We have what it takes to continue to make our city viable and our work is not done." 

The City Council's District 3 covers northwest Downey, roughly north of Firestone Boulevard and west of Downey Avenue.