Candidate for
Council Member; City of Oakland; Council District 5

Mario Juarez grew up in Oakland's Fruitvale District. Mario and his sister were raised by a single mother who worked hard to provide for her children. Very early in life, Mario realized that success would mean hard work.

Today, Mario owns his own business. Located off of High Street, Mario Juarez Real Estate is a powerhouse in the real estate industry. His firm won the Pinnacle Award for Sales from the Bay East Association of Realtors in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Where others would have taken this successful business and moved it to a posh new location, Mario has kept his business located in our community.

Mario has always been committed to giving back to the community that allowed him to pursue the American Dream.

He has taken strides to make sure that the employees of his firm reflect the community they work in by hiring from the local community. His firm also helps assist local non-profits and he provides classes to the community on how to achieve the dream of home ownership.

While many have written off city government as being unable to improve people's lives, Mario has been fighting to make city government work better. He has fought for cost-saving measures as a member Oakland Budget Advisory Committee, helped create and maintain employment and training programs as a member of the Oakland Workforce Investment Board, and helped create safe places for our children to play as a member of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Commission.

Mario has also served on the boards of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Unity Council, which helps families improve their quality of life through sustainable economic, social, and neighborhood development programs. As a member of the Sierra Club Executive Board, Mario promotes sound environmental protection initiatives in our community. As an elected Democratic Party official, he has worked to engage youth in local government and register new voters.

Mario and his fiancee Esmeralda have been together for seven years. Mario has four children: Mario Jr., Carolina, Cecilia, and Roberto.