Candidate for
Mayor; City of Baldwin Park

Mayor Pro Tem Cruz Baca is a native of Baldwin Park, a successful businesswoman, and a voice for change in our city.

As a member of the Baldwin Park City Council, Cruz has created transparency in our city's finances. She created the Audit Committee, reviewing the city budget in meetings open to the public. With input from residents, business owners, and city employees, Cruz has helped save Baldwin Park nearly $1 million in the past two years.

Cruz is deeply rooted in the City of Baldwin Park. Her grandfather, a Mexican immigrant, settled here in 1906 and is well known for his contributions to the community. Her father, a union member for over 50 years, and mother started a small welding business in the city.

After graduating from Baldwin Park High School with honors, Cruz earned her Associate Degree in Psychology from Rio Hondo Community College in 1967. She went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree from Cal State, Long Beach, and then her Master's Degree in Psychology from Temple University. She later completed her certificate in Entertainment Law from UCLA.

A lifelong music lover and two-time Grammy Award winner, Cruz made her way to the top of the music industry. In 1978 co-founded Yaqui Spirit Music, collaborating with and representing world-renowned artists including Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tierra, Donna Sommers, George Benson, El Chicano, and many more.

From 2000 to 2009, Cruz taught music business courses and consulted with several public and private academic institutions. She has served on the boards of the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights, St. John the Baptist Social Services, the Third Annual Cesar Chavez Breakfast, and Baldwin Park Women's Club.

Cruz was elected to the Baldwin Park City Council in 2013 and hit the ground running. In addition to her work to increase transparency of the city's finances, she has worked closely with the police department to fight racial profiling, lit up the city's new street lights, and helped create the Downtown Street Market. She is ready to expand her service to her community as the next Mayor of Baldwin Park.