Ceres is home

Javier Lopez has proudly called Ceres home since the age of five. Born in Los Angeles, California, on October 8, 1983, his family immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, seeking opportunities in the United States. Prior to that, his mother and family came to Ceres, where they lived in the Ceres Labor Camp and worked in the fields harvesting crops such as peaches and strawberries. Later, she returned—now married—and together they built their lives in Ceres, California.

Mayor Lopez attended elementary, middle, and high school in the Ceres Unified School District (CUSD), deeply rooting his upbringing in the city he now leads.

A successful entrepreneur, Mayor Lopez owns multiple businesses. Alongside his professional achievements, he dedicates his time to mentoring youth in his role as a football coach. He proudly advocates for underserved members of the community. In 2024, his team achieved a 10-0 record, and he is currently coaching JV football at Central Valley High School while training athletes from both local high schools—a role he holds close to his heart.

Before entering public service, Mayor Lopez spent over 18 years working in the fire suppression industry, where he excelled as a service technician, programmer, and lead technician. These experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to safety and community service.

Mayor Lopez was first elected to office on November 3, 2020, defeating 13-year Councilmember Bret Durossette with a message of progress, forward-thinking, and community-driven leadership. During his first term, he worked tirelessly to bring transformative changes to Ceres, earning the trust and respect of residents across the city. He overcame a political power grab attempt and was re-elected to serve another four years. His opponents were ultimately unsuccessful in their efforts to destabilize the battleground city of Ceres.