Meet The Livermore Candidate: Ben Barrientos

LIVERMORE, CA — Patch reached out to candidates running for Livermore City Council District 2, located in the southern part of the city. District 2 is the only contested election this year: John Marchand is running unopposed for mayor, and Evan Branning is running unopposed for District 1.

We reprinted their answers to the questionnaire verbatim.

Below, read the answers of Ben Barrientos, the incumbent for District 2 running against Narayan Tadimeti.

What is your educational background?

Graduated from South San Francisco HS, associate degree from College of San Mateo, Bachelor of Arts and teaching credential from Chico State, masters from Pepperdine University, administrative credential from National University

What is your professional background?

Educator taught K,1,5,6,7,8,9. Head wrestling coach and administrator

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

Elected to the Berryessa Union School Board

What are the top three issues facing Livermore right now?

Protection of the Urban Growth Boundary, housing and economic growth See the completion of The Springtown Community Park, increase funding to the arts, protection and conservation of environment, enhancing our green energy

What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year in office?

Redirecting Eden Housing away from its proposed site South of Railroad to North of Railroad

Livermore’s unhoused population rose substantially between 2024 and 2026. What should the city do itself, and what should it pursue regionally, to expand shelter, treatment and permanent housing?

The City is not a developer. We can manage and entice developers. We can lobby the State to look at the many regulations put in place by them which carry a cost to developers who then add those cost to each unit they build. I support the ADUs and Churches building Tiny Homes such as Cross Roads and Asbury Methodist Church and the Senior Housing development on Pacfic

How should Livermore accommodate new housing—including affordable housing—while addressing traffic, infrastructure and the city’s existing character?

I have sited some of housing issues above. There are plans underway to widen No Vasco, improve the two overpasses, Springtown and Vasco . I’ve asked the City Manager to enhance protection of areas where our children cross heavily traveled roads namely the crossing at Garaventa and No Vasco. I’d like to see a “calming “ of traffic on Garaventa Ranch Rd which runs in front of Altamont Creek School. It is used to circumvent heavy traffic on No Vasco going north

Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponents?

That’s up to the people to decide