Election 2026: Whittier candidate Phil Longoria says policy can include compassion

Felipe "Phil" Longoria, a 20-year Whittier resident and candidate for City Council District 4, says he would protect quality of life while addressing homelessness with both compassion and more resolute handling of encampments.

Felipe "Phil" Longoria, who has lived in Whittier for 20 years, is running for City Council District No. 4 and says he wants to be more present, accessible, and involved. He frames his campaign around protecting the city’s quality of life while preparing Whittier for the future. His stated priorities include public safety, traffic, support for small businesses, responsible development, and addressing homelessness in ways he describes as both compassionate and effective. He emphasizes community input and transparency on major local projects. Key points: - Longoria has lived in Whittier for 20 years and is running for City Council District No. 4. - He lists public safety, traffic, small business support, responsible development, and homelessness as primary concerns for the city. - On homelessness he says policy should balance compassion with responsibility; his plan includes expanded coordinated outreach, connections to shelter and mental health care, longer-term housing solutions, and more resolute steps on encampments to restore public spaces. - He supports improvements to the Greenleaf Promenade but says projects must preserve Whittier’s character, protect business access and meaningful shade, and proceed with transparency and community input. - He notes the city has said it does not cooperate with ICE through a contract or detain federal immigration detainees locally, and he would insist the city follow state law and provide calm, accurate public communication if federal agents return; he also supports a lawful, structured federal pathway to citizenship for longtime community members. Summary: Longoria presents a platform that seeks to balance compassion for people experiencing homelessness with responsibilities to residents, families, and businesses. He proposes coordinated outreach and service connections alongside firmer actions on encampments, and favors measured, community-centered development. Whittier’s general municipal election is scheduled for April 14, with in-person voting beginning April 11 and vote-by-mail accepted through April 14.