Since Mayor Michael Sweeney announced his decision in May not to run for re-election, two Hayward City Council members have announced their bids for the open seat.

Councilman Francisco Zermeno, currently serving his second term, officially began his campaign shortly after Sweeney’s announcement. This will be Zermeno’s first attempt at the Mayor’s seat. Fellow councilmember Mark Salinas officially declared his candidacy in August.

Zermeno’s campaign will focus on Hayward’s economy, education and public safety.

While Councilman Mark Salinas has a similar platform, he hopes to reach younger voters.  “I have the ability to relate to a large emerging population in the city of Hayward that is under 45 years old,” said Salinas, “I am the youngest candidate.”

Zermeno currently serves on various city planning commissions, teaches Spanish at Chabot College, and also founded the Latino Business Roundtable nine years ago in order to engage with business owners and discuss areas that need improvement.

Most recognized for saying, “Hayward On,” Zermeno says his vision for Hayward includes revitalizing the empty areas of the city he calls the “Retail Rectangle” of Mission Street, Tennyson, A Street and Hesperian.

Councilman Zermeno says the empty vacant lots in the area deter people from starting a business and impedes on the city’s economic development plans. He suggests a monetary incentive that can be offered towards start up costs to encourage local entrepreneurs.

Recently, Zermeno and other leaders of the Hayward City Government were criticized for their handling of the 238 Corridor Construction Project.

Alfredo Ornelas, owner of Avocado Freddy’s Cantina, was frustrated when his business was affected by construction delays, which stalled the restaurant’s grand opening.

“They kept saying they would do something but nothing was done,” said Ornelas. “No one in Hayward could be held accountable.”

However, Ornelas remains hopeful about Zermeno’s leadership abilities.

“He is campaigning as a pro business mayor and he sees a lot of issues with filling in vacancies and that should be a priority,” said Ornelas.

In the following months, Zermeno will be busy on the campaign trail. After spending time with family over the Labor Day Weekend, he was at the Mariachi Juvenil de Hayward event at Harder Elementary School on Tuesday.

“We hear from other people that he is involved with the community and with all types of events, not just Hispanics, he just loves to help people,” said Director Juan Varala.