March 2026 Newsletter

At a time when Palmdale was historically known as a predominantly Republican city, Assemblyman Juan Carrillo found the right formula to win his seat on the City Council as the only Democrat at the table. 

Assemblyman Carrillo spent years serving the community, first as a Planning Technician then as a School Board Member to City Councilman. He saw firsthand the imbalance and cultural barriers that Latino residents faced due to lack of representation even though they accounted for 52% of the district. With a deep sense of responsibility and a strong need to give back to his community, Assemblyman Carrillo set out to make meaningful change. 

Read the interview Assemblyman Carrillo was kind enough to give us. Find out about his fondest childhood memory, what his key legislative priorities are and what his definition of success is. 

C4V: Please introduce yourself, other than Juan Carrillo the Assemblyman, who are you? 

Carrillo: I’m a family man first — husband, father, son, and proud immigrant. I’m hardworking, dependable, and strive to live ethically. Everything I do is guided by my core values: responsibility, respect, and service.

C4V: Where did you grow up? Describe your childhood. 

Carrillo: I grew up in Guadalajara, Jalisco. I had an enjoyable childhood, but I also had to grow up quickly. I started working at 11 or 12 years old to help support my parents and my siblings. I’m the oldest of eight, so responsibility came early.

I enjoyed going to school and valued my education, but I also understood that I had to contribute to my family.

C4V: Do you have a favorite childhood memory? 

Carrillo: Yes — the first time I attended a professional soccer game I was around 12 years old. It was a night game, and I remember being amazed at how bright the stadium lights were and how loud the chanting was. Watching América vs. Chivas was unforgettable.

C4V: How did your family influence you? 

Carrillo: In very positive ways. My father taught me responsibility and punctuality — he always said to arrive 30 minutes early because you never know what might happen on the way. He taught me to be respectful.

I grew up going to church and learning the importance of giving. I remember giving my grandfather a little money for cigarettes — small gestures that taught me generosity and family responsibility.

C4V: Can you tell us what it was like for you to emigrate to the U.S? What circumstance led to the move? 

Carrillo: I came to the U.S. at 14 years old. My father had come to Los Angeles three years earlier. It was exciting to see him and I integrated very well. Was able to get a job and enroll in school. I had a lot of ambition

C4V: What were you expecting? 

Carrillo: I expected it to be challenging and knew I would struggle with the language. However, I learned English quickly and adapted well. Growing up, I saw older kids in my neighborhood return from the U.S. with used cars, which to us meant they had “made it.” I thought I would work for three years, save up, buy a car, and then return to Mexico.

C4V: What shocked you most? 

Carrillo: Everything was green — there was grass everywhere, sidewalks, and parks. Even the soccer fields were covered in grass, which amazed me because back in Mexico, the fields were just dirt. Seeing that much greenery and well-maintained public spaces left a big impression on me.

C4V: How did you deal with the cultural differences?

Carrillo: The biggest difference — beyond language — was not seeing many kids playing outside in the streets. That surprised me because in Mexico, after school, all the kids were outside playing. It took some adjustment, but I gradually got used to the quieter neighborhoods.

I earned my GED through the Freeman Occupational Center while taking classes at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.

C4V: What was the biggest hurdle as a teenager? How did you overcome it?

Carrillo: I didn’t really have time to be a teenager. I worked during the day, paid bills, and sent money back to my brothers in Mexico. Survival and responsibility came first.

C4V: What led you to pursue a career in Architecture/Urban Planning? Who/What inspired you? 

Carrillo: I originally wanted to be a civil engineer, but after failing Calculus three times, I reconsidered. I was always interested in construction and design. I started a family at a young age and needed a stable career path.

I attended College of the Desert, where I took courses in engineering, architecture, and city planning. I was inspired by how city planners work collaboratively with architects and engineers and how their decisions shape communities. That led me into urban planning.

C4V: What is the single most important step for success in this field?

Carrillo: Understanding that city planning is hard work and highly political. It requires navigating policy, elected officials, and community needs

C4V: Can you tell us about your time as the city planner for Palmdale? 

Carrillo: I started on January 10, 2005, as a Planning Technician. I worked at the front counter — I was the first face residents saw. I had to learn quickly and “learn how to swim” right away.

C4V: In your opinion, what did the city lack/need most?   

Carrillo: There was a lack of Latino representation within departments. I was the only Spanish speaker in the Development Services Department. It was meaningful to assist residents in their own language and relate to their experiences.

C4V: What influenced your decision to run for City Council? 

Carrillo: I was disappointed by how the city treated certain cultural and heritage events. There were unnecessary barriers placed on community celebrations. That was difficult for me to accept and motivated me to run for office. 

C4V: Considering Palmdale is a very Republican area; how did you become the only Democratic councilmember on the City Council? 

Carrillo: I served three years on the school board, at a time when the district was 52% Latino. That gave me the opportunity to represent the Latino community and build trust with families.

When I ran for City Council in 2016 (District 4), the community supported me.

C4V: What was a high point for you as a City Council Member? 

Carrillo: The completion of Yellen Park (2013). The east side of Palmdale historically lacked the same resources as the west side, and seeing that investment come to fruition was meaningful.

C4V: Was there something you worked toward that didn’t initially succeed?

Carrillo: Yes — pre-approved ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) plans. There was resistance at the local level. I later introduced legislation at the state level, and now it is state law.

C4V: When did you decide you wanted to run for the State Assembly? 

Carrillo: When I learned someone from Santa Clarita was planning to run to represent our area. I didn’t believe someone outside our immediate community should represent us.

C4V: What is the biggest challenge you face as an Assemblyman? 

Carrillo: Time. It takes time for legislation to move, and once passed, it must be implemented by state agencies. Implementation doesn’t always reflect the original intent.

C4V: Can you tell us what your key legislative priorities are? 

Carrillo:

• Public transit expansion (High-Speed Rail, Palmdale station, Brightline West, Apple Valley connection)
• Addressing housing constraints caused by utility limitations (e.g., Edison infrastructure)
• Fair regional resource allocation between LA and San Bernardino counties
• Expanding educational opportunities and economic investment
• Improving healthcare access (lack of hospitals in the High Desert)
• Addressing Joshua Tree environmental constraints impacting development in our region
• Immigration-related bills:
  • Hotel transparency regarding ICE presence
  • Illegal dumping task force
  • Concerns regarding placement of sexually violent predators in the High Desert

C4V: If you could teach only one life skill, what would it be? 

Carrillo: Survival.

C4V: Where is the coolest place you’ve ever been? What made it memorable? 

Carrillo: Guadalajara Jalisco (childhood memories)

C4V: Who was your hero as a child? 

Carrillo: A professional soccer player. 

C4V: What is the most important decision you’ve ever made? Was it a difficult choice to make? Why? 

Carillo: Running for State Assembly. Yes — I have young children.

C4V: Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet? What’s stopping you? 

Carrillo: Travel goal: Germany (Took German for 4 years)

C4V: What is your definition of success? 

Carrillo: Being able to sleep at night. 

C4V: 50 Years from now, what would you like for people to remember you by? 

Carrillo: To be remembered for making a positive impact in Assembly District 39.

C4V: Choose only one … Text Message or Phone Calls? … Glass Half Full or Glass Half Empty? … Football or Baseball?

Carrillo: Phone Calls … Half Full … Football (soccer)

C4V: What are your 5 Do’s and Don’ts in life?

Carrillo: 

5 Do’s:

1. Be respectful
2. Be reliable
3. Be responsible
4. Be on time
5. Listen

5 Don’ts:

1. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not
2. Don’t stop leading by example
3. Don’t stop supporting others
4. Don’t dwell on resentment
5. Don’t let resentment hold you back

Assemblyman Juan Carrillo is a man on a mission to help empower and enrich the AV. It is with certainty that Assemblyman Carrilo’s influence will leave a positive impact in Assembly District 39. 

Thank You Assemblyman Carrillo for answering our questions and for the work you do for our community.

Also, a huge thank you to Wade, Victoria, and Jacqueline for making this interview possible.