David VanGorden, Candidate 2nd District City Council, Rancho Cucamonga

As part of Inland Valley News’ Your Vote, Your Voice election coverage, the newspaper is introducing candidates seeking local office in the Nov. 3 general election.

David VanGorden, a retired law-enforcement officer who has lived in District 2 for more than 20 years, is one of four candidates seeking the district’s seat on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council, including incumbent Councilmember Kristine Scott. He is campaigning on infrastructure, public safety, fiscal accountability and what he describes as greater transparency at City Hall.

VanGorden appears on the ballot as “Retired Police Officer,” according to the city’s candidate list.

He said Rancho Cucamonga has been his home for more than 30 years, where he raised his family. He said he has watched development outpace the city’s roads, public-safety resources and other infrastructure, and has heard from residents who feel their concerns go unheard.

“I am running to bring common sense, transparency, accountability, and independent leadership to the City Council,” VanGorden said in his response to Inland Valley News’ candidate questionnaire.

Infrastructure First

VanGorden named infrastructure, public safety and fiscal accountability as the city’s three most pressing issues. He selected economic development, public safety and crime prevention, and infrastructure and transportation as his top priority areas for his term.

With thousands of new homes and apartments planned, he said, the city must make sure its roads, traffic systems, utilities, schools and emergency services can support that growth.

“Infrastructure must come first, not after development,” he said.

If elected, VanGorden said his first priority would be a comprehensive review of traffic, roads, public-safety staffing, fire services, utilities and other needs tied to current and proposed development. He said he would also examine whether developers are paying their fair share for the impacts their projects create.

“My approach would be straightforward: infrastructure first, responsible development second,” he said.

Asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 5 how heavily the city budget should be weighted toward public infrastructure improvements, VanGorden chose 5, the highest priority. On public safety, he said law-enforcement and emergency resources must keep pace with population growth. He said homelessness should be addressed through treatment, accountability and enforcement of existing laws.

On city finances, he said taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely, major projects carefully scrutinized and residents given clear information about where their money goes.

Three Decades in Law Enforcement

VanGorden said his 30-year law-enforcement career taught him leadership, accountability and sound decision-making, along with the importance of listening to people from every background.

“I learned to evaluate problems, ask difficult questions, and make decisions based on facts rather than politics or personal interests,” he said.

He now teaches at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Academy, where he helps train future deputies. He also cited his experience as a former small-business owner as preparation for budget and financial decisions. He has lived in the Inland Empire for more than 57 years.

Listening Before Decisions Are Made

VanGorden said residents should never feel that decisions affecting their neighborhoods were made before they had a chance to speak.

If elected, he said he would hold regular town halls, meet with residents and neighborhood groups, and stay reachable through email, social media and community events. He said he would seek input early on development, traffic, public-safety and infrastructure projects. He also said City Hall should provide clear, timely information about what is being proposed.

“My commitment is simple: listen first, remain accessible, and ensure residents have a meaningful voice at City Hall,” he said.

He said that after his career in law enforcement, he believes problems can’t be understood from behind a desk. He said he enjoys meeting residents in their neighborhoods, at community events and even at the grocery store.

Independence and Campaign Finances

VanGorden said his campaign is almost entirely self-funded, with only a few donations from individual residents, and that he does not accept money from developers or special interests.

Endorsements

His questionnaire lists endorsements from the California Republican Assembly and the California Rifle & Pistol Association. His campaign website lists the CRPA’s political action committee.

Beyond the Ballot

VanGorden named Cask ‘n Cleaver as his favorite local restaurant and the 9/11 memorial at the James L. Brulte Senior Center as his favorite community event. He takes his coffee with cream and sugar. He recommends dining at the historic Sycamore Inn and asking about its history. Asked how friends and family would describe him, he chose “honest, dedicated, tenacious.”

His Message to Voters

VanGorden said he hopes residents will say he listened, was accessible and kept his word, and that he represented them rather than developers, special interests or political insiders.

“Rancho Cucamonga is my home of 30+ years,” he said. “I’ll listen first, require infrastructure before more growth, ask hard questions on traffic, safety, and spending, and vote independently with common sense not rubber-stamp 5–0 deals. Your voice should matter every day, not just on Election Day.”