Lafayette Councilmember Jim Cervantes says wildfire preparedness, careful spending and planning for future city facilities are his priorities for continued council service.

In a Surround Sound News questionnaire received Oct. 4, Cervantes said Lafayette’s council election is uncontested and described appointments to the available seats. The city’s election page provides information about the municipal election process.

Asked why he sought another term, Cervantes said: “I'm running to continue the work I started during my first two years on the City Council—to increase Lafayette's wildfire safety preparedness, prudently manage the City's finances and prepare for our future needs.”

Candidate information

Party affiliation: Lafayette City Council is a nonpartisan office. Cervantes identified himself as a Democrat in his Surround Sound News questionnaire.

Residence: Cervantes told Surround Sound News he has lived in Lamorinda for about 30 years, including Lafayette since 2012.

Education: He listed a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, a Coro Fellowship in Public Policy, studies in Claremont Graduate School’s Public Policy Analysis program and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Experience and public service

Occupation and work history: Cervantes reported four years in nonprofit housing finance and management and 34 years in public finance investment banking, helping California cities finance projects.

Previous and current offices: Cervantes told Surround Sound News he previously served on the Contra Costa County Measure X Community Advisory Board and as vice chair and chair of Lafayette’s General Plan Advisory Committee.

He identified his current roles as Lafayette councilmember and California Housing Finance Agency board chair. The agency’s appointment announcement confirms that Gov. Gavin Newsom designated him chair in 2022 after the state Senate confirmed his appointment to the board.

On the issues

Accomplishments: Cervantes cited increased attention to emergency preparedness, efforts to address state legislation affecting Lafayette, support for the 949 Moraga affordable housing project for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and using budget surpluses to build reserves.

He told Surround Sound News he worked to address concerns about SB 79’s potential effects on evacuation planning. The transit-oriented housing law currently does not apply in Contra Costa County, according to the Association of Bay Area Governments.

Most important issue: Cervantes said the council needs to plan for Lafayette’s long-term facilities and financing needs. He pointed to maintenance costs at the community center and the city’s rented offices as concerns.

“We will likely need to think through borrowing to get long-term projects done,” he told Surround Sound News.

Spending priorities: Cervantes identified road maintenance, police services and evacuation planning as priorities. He said evacuation planning could draw on city funds, grants and assistance from fire-related agencies.

He also supports addressing community center and playing-field needs, which he said would likely require long-term financing.

Housing, traffic and neighborhood character: Cervantes told Surround Sound News he supports transportation options that reduce reliance on cars. He cited the city’s work on downtown parking and a transportation advisory committee. The city identifies that group as the Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee.

He said the council has concentrated increased housing density downtown to preserve existing neighborhoods.

Best advice: Cervantes recalled his seventh-grade shop teacher’s advice: “Measure twice, cut once.”

“I try to understand issues and plan carefully ahead of taking an action,” he told Surround Sound News.

This profile draws primarily on Cervantes’ responses to a Surround Sound News questionnaire received Oct. 4, 2026.