Meet Chris
Chris Castorena grew up on the Eastside, went through Banning Unified, and graduated from Banning High. Now he’s running so families don’t have to leave town to find opportunity.
Always Banning
Chris’s family moved ten times while he was growing up, but they never left Banning. That experience taught him that a stable home, a good job, and a healthy neighborhood shouldn’t be luxuries.
He earned two bachelor’s degrees and a Master of Public Policy from UC Riverside. He came home with experience in economic development and public policy, including work on the $28 million regional California Jobs First initiative.
Chris is a caregiver for his father, a Vietnam veteran; helped co-found A Better Banning and Pass Civics; and serves as Chair of the Banning Planning Commission.
Co-founderA Better Banning
“Public service should make everyday life easier, not ask working people to settle for less.”
The story in photos
UC Riverside graduationPublic education that opens doors.
Listening firstCommunity organizing with Banning neighbors.
Showing up to serveYoung people and families building together.
Planning CommissionFirsthand experience with local land-use decisions.
Master of Public PolicyTools to turn values into measurable results.
Regional economic developmentConnecting education, jobs, and opportunity.
Why he is running
Families deserve stability, opportunity, and a city that delivers the basics. Chris is running so growing up here doesn’t mean having to leave to build a life.
Read the priorities