EL CENTRO — El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva announced his decision to step down from the El Centro City Council. Read More Breaking News
EL CENTRO — El Centro Mayor Tomas Oliva announced his decision to step down from the El Centro City Council.
In a brief statement, the city said Mayor Oliva has announced his resignation from the El Centro City Council, effective the afternoon of Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Having served as mayor this year, he was first elected to the council in 2018 and reelected in 2022, the city said in the statement.
“The City thanks him for his years of service and dedication to our community and wishes him the best in his future endeavors,” the city continued.
In a prepared statement, Oliva said serving residents on the City Council, and most recently as Mayor, has been one of the greatest honors of his life. Over the past six years, he continued, “I have done my best to serve with integrity, commitment, and a deep love for our community. I truly hope I made you proud.”
On March 4, 2025, I made the difficult decision to resign—one that was not taken lightly but was necessary for two important reasons, he added.
“First, we often hear that politicians cling to power, but I believe leadership is about standing on principle. My resignation is the loudest alarm I could ring to make residents aware of the concerning direction this new council is taking, particularly when it comes to the future of our healthcare system,” Oliva explained. “Their decisions are placing the merger of ECRMC into the countywide healthcare district at serious risk, and I cannot, in good conscience, be part of an effort that threatens the future of accessible, quality healthcare for our residents.”
Oliva said this moment presents an opportunity for him to focus on his personal and professional goals.
“While I may no longer hold a seat on the council, my commitment to serving and advocating for our community is far from over. El Centro deserves strong, principled leadership, and I have no doubt we will be having more conversations about the future soon,” he said. “Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. This is not goodbye—it’s just the next chapter.”
Oliva holds a B.A. from UCSD in Public Law and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from SDSU.
Mayor Oliva served as Senior Field Representative in Imperial County to Congressmen Juan Vargas and Dr. Raul Ruiz before unsuccessfully running for Assembly in 2024. He is also a part-time instructor at Imperial Valley College and a board trustee at El Centro Regional Medical Center. Oliva served as Chairman of the Imperial County Democratic Central Committee in 2021.
According to city ordinances and state law, Oliva’s vacancy can get filled through a special election or city council appointment.
