San Bernardino City Councilmember Kimberly Calvin did not qualify for the March 2024 ballot, but will enter the race as a write-in candidate in hopes of holding onto her 6th Ward seat.
The news comes days after an released Thursday, Dec. 7, alleged that Calvin violated the city’s rules prohibiting councilmembers from circumventing the city manager and making direct requests of staff members.
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As part of the election filing process, candidates are asked to submit a nomination form with a minimum of 20 signatures of registered voters within the council’s ward. The signatures and corresponding addresses are then reviewed and approved by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters.
When Calvin submitted her paperwork Thursday, Dec. 7, the registrar found that Calvin’s papers did not have the minimum number of valid signatures and by that time the filing period had closed, San Bernardino spokesperson Jeff Kraus said in a Tuesday, Dec. 12, email.
Calvin said her bid to remain on the council is still alive.
“Life can present many challenges, and we must then choose to face them and continue on our destined journey,” Calvin said in a Tuesday news release. “I have chosen to face this election as a Write-In Candidate to retain my seat as your Ward 6 Councilwoman.”
Calvin could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.
She is executive director of Akoma Unity Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free afterschool and summer programs for at-risk youth and families. Calvin began her first term on the city council representing the 6th Ward in December 2020.
She has been an advocate for housing and infrastructure improvements in the ward. Calvin has championed the first housing development in the area in the past 40 years, the expansion of State Street and supported the acquisition of $8 million to revamp Nicholson Park, Treasure Ortiz, a local activist and Calvin supporter said Tuesday.
“Is it amazing what Councilwoman Calvin has done in just her three short years,” Ortiz said. “She has brought development and housing and just restored hope in the west side in the 6th Ward.”
Bessine Littlefield Richard and Mario Flores are on the city’s website. Richard, now the former 6th Ward councilmember, was defeated by Calvin in 2020.
The report about Calvin released by the city last week followed a complaint filed by an unnamed San Bernardino employee. The employee said he or she was “subjected to an unfavorable work atmosphere” because of Calvin’s actions in reaching out directly to employees, according to the report. The report states that Calvin “repeatedly” contacted staff members seeking information and requested documents or research on subjects, in addition to giving them direction on work assignments.
