Ryan Balius, a long-time resident of west Anaheim and Parks & Recreation Commissioner, has announced he is running for the Anaheim City Council. Balius has already earned endorsements from current District 1 Councilman Jose Diaz (who is not seeking re-election) and James Vanderbilt, a former councilman from District 2 and former member of the Anaheim Elementary School District Board of Education.
“Angie and I love West Anaheim, and that’s why we’ve made this community our home for the past 25 years. It has been a great joy volunteering with my neighbors to help improve our community,” said Balius. “It has been an honor to represent our community on the Parks Commission, and I am proud of the new facilities and park improvements we’ve provided for West Anaheim families. I want to be the voice and advocate for the residents of West Anaheim on the City Council to support public safety, reduce homelessness, attract new businesses, and improve traffic.”
His top issues are enhancing public safety, spurring greater economic development in West Anaheim and continuing the revitalization of the Beach Boulvard corridor, reducing homelessness and improving street and traffic safety.
“Ryan Balius is the best person to succeed me as the Anaheim City Councilmember representing the people of West Anaheim’s District 1. Ryan will support our police officers and firefighters, take on homelessness, bring more jobs to West Anaheim, and improve our roads,” said Councilmember Diaz. “Ryan is passionate about our community because he wants to make West Anaheim an even better place to live. I enthusiastically endorse Ryan, and I urge my fellow West Anaheim residents to vote for Ryan Balius to replace me on the City Council.”
“As a former school board member and Councilman for Anaheim, I know Ryan Balius is the best choice for Anaheim Council District 1 and I proudly endorse him,” said former Mayor Pro Tem Vanderbilt. “Ryan cares deeply about West Anaheim, believes in strong public safety, and has done much to address our growing homeless issues. Ryan has a proven track record of getting things done for West Anaheim as the Chairman of our Parks Commission.”
Balius was appointed to the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission in 2016 and currently serves as its Chair. During his commission service on the commission, Anaheim has opened new recreation facilities, expanded community center funding, and built and improved City parks. Balius has chaired the West Anaheim community barbecue and the Christmas tree lighting event. He funded and distributed flags for West Anaheim residents for the Fourth of July.
In 2020, Balius challenged then-Councilmember Denise Barnes when she ran for re-election. He finished third in a three-way race that was won by the current incumbent, Councilman Jose Diaz.
There are 26,052 voters in District 1. While it leans Democrat in terms of partisan registration, District 1 voters elected a Republican in 2020 (Denise Barnes) and a conservative independent in 2020 (Jose Diaz). Barnes change her party registration to Democrat midway through 2020 and was defeated for re-election.
