Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the intent of a city resolution.
EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX5/KUSI) — Third-party candidate Alexander Kraft announced he is campaigning for mayor of El Cajon in a press conference on Tuesday.
Organized by his campaign, as well as by Latinos en Action and Fuerza Hispana, the event also hoped to bring attention to El Cajon’s anti-sanctuary city status.
The El Cajon City Council passed a resolution in February that states the city will comply with federal immigration law to remove criminals, as much as state law will allow.
Mayor Bill Wells had pushed for this resolution during several meetings before it passed.
“Bill Wells is running for re-election in 2026, and today I’m announcing I’m running against him,” Kraft said.
Kraft, who grew up in El Cajon, is an executive board member of Service Employees International Union Local 221 and a community organizer.
“I’m proud to be from El Cajon,” Kraft said. “I’m proud to be from a working-class community. I’m proud that my community welcomes immigrants and refugees.”
If elected, Kraft said the first thing he is going to do is repeal El Cajon’s resolution on immigration enforcement.
“You know what I’m not proud of? I’m not proud of El Cajon elected officials,” Kraft added.
He said the city should not be able to help ICE “kidnap my neighbors.”
Kraft said he also hopes to make rent more affordable, raise the minimum wage, fix roads by investing in infrastructure and improve public safety through de-escalation methods.
Although the election is more than a year away, Kraft is challenging Wells to a debate.
“We want ICE out of our community and we’re going to unify El Cajon,” Kraft said.
Voters will be able to vote for mayor in El Cajon’s upcoming general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
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