By james art 
The road to control of the US House goes through California
In the battle for control of the US House of Representatives, California is a key battleground, with Democrats and Republicans jostling for districts across the state.
Not only do Barstow residents have to choose a presidential candidate this year, they will also face the tough decision of choosing a mayor after a disastrous turn of events for former mayor Paul Courtney in 2022.
Courtney was banned from City Hall in 2022 following an investigation into allegations of intimidation and influencing city officials.
Four candidates are seeking the position, including current Barstow Councilwoman Carmen Hernandez.
Two other seats in the district, Wards 3 and 4, are also available.
Election 2024: Remember our Elections page for the latest up-to-date coverage
Early voting in Barstow
All active registered voters of the City of Barstow will receive a mail-in ballot.
Barstow residents hoping to vote before Election Day on Nov. 5 have two options:
- Vote at the Registrar of Voters office Oct. 7 through Nov. 5, 777 E. Rialto Ave., San Bernardino.
- Vote by mailall eligible voters received a ballot by mail beginning October 7. Request a replacement ballot by calling the Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300.
Here are the places to return mail ballots:
- San Bernardino County Clerk of Votersfrom 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; deadline 20:00 on 5 November
- The 24-hour mail drop box is available at City Hall, 220 E. Mountain View St., Suite A, Barstow
- By mail via the US Postal Service – Must be postmarked on or before November 5th and received by the Clerk of the Elections Office within 7 days of the election.
- To each polling station until 8 p.m. on election day, November 5.
Vote at a polling place from 7am to 8pm on Election Day, Tuesday 5 November 2024.
Click HERE to find your voting precinct.
Who’s on the ballot in Barstow?
Barstow’s three electoral districts are:
- Mayor – There is currently no Mayor of Barstow, but a Mayor Pro Tem served by James Noble, also representing District 2.
- Municipal District 3 – The position is currently held by Council Member Barbara Rose.
- Municipal District 4 – Currently served by Council Member Marilyn Dyer-Cruz.
How do I vote in California? Your guide to polling sites, mail-in deadlines, and more
Barstow’s mayoral candidates
Carmen Hernandez
Born in Puerto Rico, Hernandez has lived in Barstow since 1965. She graduated from Barstow College and California State University San Bernardino and was a county clerk for 34 years.
She retired as head of the Department of Children and Families and was the first Hispanic assistant librarian in San Bernardino County. Additionally, Hernandez served as Barstow’s Planning Commissioner for seven years and as the 2010 Census Chairman for the City of Barstow.
Hernandez was elected to the Barstow City Council in 2012, re-elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2022. According to the City of Barstow’s website, Hernandez’s vision for the city is that “everyone’s voice is heard.”
Timothy Silva
Former Councilman Silva, a self-employed mortgage banker, hopes to return to Barstow City Council as People’s Mayor. When the Daily Press spoke with him during his 2014 campaign, Silva said his love for Barstow is what pushed him to run for City Council.
“When I first got involved in 2006, there was a lot of development on the books for Barstow,” Silva said. An advocate for development, he believes Barstow is in a prime position for growth due to recent infrastructure improvements and hopes to “see it happen.”
Ben Rosenberg
Rosenberg spent more than a decade as a trustee of the Barstow Unified School District until two years ago when Aaron Heldreth won a seat on the District 4 Board of Trustees. During his time on the board, he helped establish the STEM Academy, Fine Arts Academy and Barstow Digital Academy for homeschoolers.
“As mayor,” Rosenberg said on Facebook, “I will tirelessly improve our infrastructure, improve public safety and create economic opportunity.” Change is a good thing, he continued, and pledged that his years of experience in public service make him the right choice for Barstow’s mayor.
Vivian Jordan
Jordan is an educator, adoptive father of three, founder and CEO of the educational nonprofit BowtiesforBooks, and recently graduated with a PhD in Educational Leadership and Management.
As mayor, she hopes to “bring humanity to Barstow” and ensure her hometown remains “clean, safe and productive.” It’s important to Jordan, she told the Daily Press, to be a leader who is transparent and advocates for community education.
Also high on Jordan’s list of Barstow’s priorities is safe infrastructure and living conditions, including access to shelter and chemical-free water, food and air.
Candidates for Barstow City Council District 3
Barbara Rose
Before Rose was elected to the Barstow City Council in 2020, she served 13 years as a trustee of the Barstow Unified School District, the last two years as board president.
Rose is a third-generation Barstow resident who is no stranger to community involvement. She served on the City of Barstow’s Measure Q Standing Oversight Committee as a Commissioner representing District 3, received honors as one of Barstow’s Most Inspiring Women in 2007, and two Barstow Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year nominations.
Rose was also honored in 2010 and 2016 as Classified Employee of the Year at Barstow Community College, where she graduated with honors.
Leonard Williams
Williams moved to Barstow in 2009, where he currently chairs the Standing Oversight Committee for the Measure Q Community Advisory Board for Barstow. He served in the United States Army for 21 years and completed two combat tours, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
He is a proud advocate for the fire and police departments, according to his website, as well as adult and youth services. Williams also argued that fiscal responsibility is the number one driver of a successful city, prioritizing spending wisely if elected.
Candidates for Barstow City Council District 4
John ‘Tex’ Williams
Williams is a former assistant football coach at Barstow and Silver Valley high schools and has long been involved with athletics in the Victorville community. His business, Coaching Solution Innovations, offers camps, individual training, coaching clinics, video analysis and other athletic resources.
Williams, who was nominated for the 2016 Barstow Person of the Year Award, is up against three candidates, all vying for their first election to the District 4 seat.
Virginia Brown
Brown is a longtime resident of Barstow, a town that Brown says is “overwhelming with untapped potential.”
Brown’s solid professional background includes a jail sergeant and experience as both an emergency physician and 911 dispatcher. Through those roles, Brown says she developed a deep appreciation for public safety and emergency response.
According to Brown’s website, Barstow’s challenges include a lack of growth and development, insufficient housing, rising crime, homelessness and limited family activities and amenities. In addition, she says, many residents have to travel 40 minutes or more to neighboring towns for basic needs, medical checkups, work and entertainment.
Her vision for Barstow includes a higher quality of life and a “more comfortable daily existence.”
Loretta “Sarah” Johnston
The Daily Press emailed Loretta Johnston with no response.
Rodney Brand
The Daily Press was unable to reach Rodney Brandt.
McKenna Mobley is a reporter for the Daily Press and can be reached at [email protected].