Retired Landscape Architecture Lecturer James Becerra won a decisive victory in Whittier’s mayoral race amid unusually high voter turnout. He and newly elected council members framed the outcome as a community-driven mandate focused on transparency, collaboration and moving the city forward. “Residents are asking for a more open, responsive and community-centered City Hall,” he said. “Going forward, this has to be a group effort.”

This article was originally published by Whittier Daily News on April 25, 2026.