Meet Leticia Munguia, running for Chula Vista City Council, District 3
Leticia is a dedicated community leader, a San Diego local, a passionate advocate, an organizer, and a tireless public servant.
Born and raised in San Diego, Leticia’s story is one of dedication to the people and the principles she holds dear. Her parents, both farm workers and union members instilled in her the values of hard work and solidarity. Leticia’s mother worked on the onion ring production line, while her father was involved in labor-focused landscaping.
Growing up in this environment, Leticia developed a keen sense of justice and fairness, which she carried through her education at public schools, San Diego City College, and San Diego State University. Her drive to serve led her to the AmeriCorps program, where she worked to improve her community. During her time there, she played a crucial role in organizing affordable housing and bringing residential services to underserved areas, helping to uplift some of the most diverse neighborhoods in San Diego.
Leticia’s dedication to social justice didn’t stop there. After earning her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan, she used her bilingual and bicultural background to create a Department of Justice-approved program that connected migrant communities in Michigan to their legal rights. This initiative became a model for legal aid societies across the United States, showcasing Leticia’s innovative approach to advocacy and her commitment to empowering marginalized communities.
Returning to San Diego, Leticia continued her journey as a champion for workers’ rights, spending 17 years fighting for public school employees as a representative for a private union. Leticia led the bargaining table with skilled, strategic, knowledgeable to secure improved wages, fought for 100% employer-paid medical benefits, and improved working conditions for workers in Southern California. One of the examples that Leticia shared highlights her commitment to wage equity in the workplace. At San Diego Unified School District, antiquated contractual language created a block to increase wages on a salary scale that impacted 1,200 cafeteria workers. The contractual language stopped workers at a Step C and denied the continual progression on the scale to Step E. Leticia worked to organize to remove the contractual language and brought a win for all cafeteria workers that increased their wages overnight plus created a more equitable salary scale for generations of workers to come.
Leticia’s work extended to labor relations with UC Berkeley, where she managed contracts and advocated for employees during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Leticia’s career reflects her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those around her, whether through legal advocacy or employee relations. Currently, Leticia serves as the Human Resource Manager for the Sweetwater Authority, overseeing the well-being and professional growth of 138 employees.
Leticia is focused on addressing critical issues impacting Chula Vista’s District Three residents. She aims to enhance public safety, improve infrastructure, and foster sustainable economic development. She advocates for equipping law enforcement and emergency services, maintaining and developing public spaces, supporting small businesses, and increasing education funding. Leticia is committed to transparency and ensuring all residents’ voices are heard in decision-making.
In her personal life, Leticia has a passion for cooking! She enjoys exploring Italian and Mexican cuisine and is inspired by her visits to Italy, where she learned to make authentic Italian recipes with simple ingredients. As a Mexican American with roots in Jalisco and Michoacán, Leticia takes pride in cooking regional Mexican dishes. She enjoys sharing her culinary creations with her family, friends, and colleagues, emphasizing the importance of community and cultural appreciation through shared meals.
Leticia’s vision for Chula Vista is one of unity and inclusivity, where residents from all walks of life can contribute to and benefit from a thriving community. Through her work and her candidacy, Leticia aims to inspire and uplift those around her, reinforcing the idea that true leadership is rooted in service and compassion.
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