My Journey has been long one…but there is more to come!

Rick Perez for Gilroy City Council – My Journey

Everyone has a story, and here is mine. I was an at-risk youth, without positive role models or opportunities. I fell in with the wrong crowd, which led me down a path of addiction and poor choices.

This is why I am a passionate supporter of Bulldog Boxing here in Gilroy. It provides kids with opportunities for success, helping them stay on the right path and avoid making the same mistakes I did.

My journey hasn’t been easy, and I’ve faced some tough times. I’ve made choices I regret, but instead of focusing on the past, I’ve worked hard to move forward and make better decisions.

The turning point for me was becoming a father. For a time, I lost custody of my son, and it remains my biggest regret. This happened because of the choices I was making at the time, but I fought hard to get him back. I wanted to be a better father and provide him with a safe environment to grow up in, so I made the decision to change my life. I sought recovery, attended AA meetings, and found refuge in my faith. The Christian Worship Center became a place of support, welcoming me despite my past mistakes, and has since become my extended family.

Since taking office in 2020, I’ve been upfront about my past. There have been mentions of 79 charges, but I want to clarify that most of these were parking and speeding tickets from years ago. I’ve grown since then and I’m not the same person I was back in those days.

What many may not know is that I was encouraged to run for City Council by Rolan Resendiz and Ignacio Velazquez. I was honest with them about my past, and they supported me anyway. Ignacio even helped with my paperwork. But later, Ignacio claimed I would be his third vote to control the council—a claim I never agreed to. Once elected, I made independent decisions, often disagreeing with Ignacio and Rolan, and always voted based on what I believed was best for the people of Gilroy. After that, they turned against me, and Rolan, in particular, started bullying me—a pattern that continues to this day.

Beyond my personal recovery, I’ve learned the importance of giving back to the community. I ran for office to help people in my district and to advocate for programs that support our kids, seniors, and underserved communities. I love my community and believe it’s worth fighting for.

It’s unfortunate that, in an era that should value forgiveness and second chances, there are still those who want to tear down others who’ve worked hard to rebuild their lives. I thank Rolan for reminding me of how far I’ve come, and with God’s grace, I will keep moving forward.

It has been an honor to serve the people of my district and to work on the issues that matter most. I would be grateful for your vote to continue serving the residents of Gilroy for a second term.

In community,
Rick Perez