RE-Elect Wes Speake for Corona City Council 2026
A 46‑year resident of the community, Wes brings deep local roots and a lifelong commitment to public safety and responsible
Campaign Issues
Public Safety Focus
I am Fighting for Traffic Improvements Now!
Our first responders are consistently ranked among the best in the state. However, in 2018, due to budget cuts, staffing levels dropped to pre-2000 numbers—even as our population continued to grow.
I’m proud to share that over the past seven years, we’ve added 15 new sworn police officers and 9 new Community Services Officers, helping ensure our officers remain on the front lines, protecting and serving our community.
Thanks Measure X (Thank you Corona Residents) and the outstanding reputation of the Corona Police Department, we reached full staffing in 2024—with more officers than at any other time in Corona’s history. As in 2018 and 2022, I’ve earned the respect and endorsement of the Corona Police Officers Association for this election, along with the endorsement of the Riverside County Sheriff's Association.
On the fire side, the City Council approved the creation of two low-acuity paramedic units to respond to medical calls alongside ambulances. This reduces wear and tear on our fire vehicles and keeps our engines and trucks ready to respond to fires within five minutes or less. Since 2019, we’ve taken delivery of three new fire engines and two new fire trucks, and we’re slated to rebuild or refurbish three fire stations built in the 1960s over the next few years.
In 2022, the Council successfully negotiated the elimination of all budgeted overtime positions in the Fire Department—reducing costs, minimizing injuries, and improving overall readiness.
I’m honored to have received the endorsement of the Corona Firefighters Association in 2018, 2022, and again in 2026.
I am Fighting for Traffic Improvements Now!
I am Fighting for Traffic Improvements Now!
As your representative, I’ve been on the front lines of the battle to fix Corona’s traffic challenges—because our community deserves better.
In 2016, I joined forces with the Greater Corona Traffic Alliance to push for critical improvements on the 91 Freeway. One major win was the westbound auxiliary lane between Green River Road and SR-241. Completed in record time and opened in January 2022, this project has already doubled average morning commute speeds—proving that smart, focused investments work.
I also led the charge for an interim auxiliary lane from Cajalco to Weirick, a vital step in easing the notorious “Cajalco Crush” that has burdened South Corona for far too long. This project, delivered in partnership with the City of Corona, Caltrans, and RCTC, broke ground in May and opened by July 2022.
A permanent solution to eliminate the lane drop at the Cajalco SB on-ramp was completed in 2025.
But I’m not stopping there.
I’m actively advocating at the local, regional, and state levels for solutions to the southbound lane drops at Ontario, El Cerrito, and Cajalco.
I proudly voted to invest over $6 million in cutting-edge traffic cameras and AI-powered systems to improve traffic flow across our city.
I also worked with county and state leaders to secure funding for long-overdue projects like widening Ontario Avenue under the I-15 and expanding Temescal Canyon Road from Tom Barnes Street to State Street. That road has been just two lanes since 1926—nearly a century. It’s time for an upgrade.
Key Projects I’ve Championed:
- Interim Corridor Operations Project: Converted shoulder to auxiliary lane; $5M project completed in 2022.
- I-15/SR-91 Express Lane Connector: $270M project opened in late 2023.
- Corridor Operations Project (Cajalco to Weirick): $21M project completed in 2027.
- I-15 Express Lane Southern Extension (Cajalco to SR-74): $650M project breaking ground in 2027 taht will fully eliminate the bottleneck at El Cerrito.
- Smart Freeway Pilot Project: Feasibility study underway.
- I-15 Rail Project: I fought to included this important project in RCTC’s Traffic Relief Plan.
- Southbound I-15 Re-striping at Cajalco: $1.1M project to eliminate lane drop, construction begins Fall 2025.
- Southbound Deceleration Lane (Old Temescal to Ontario): $7.6M project, construction begins Fall 2026.
- Northbound Auxiliary Lane (Magnolia to SR-91): $10.2M project, construction begins Spring 2027.
- Ontario/I-15 Undercrossing widening project: Starting in 2027
Business Focus: Building a Stronger Corona Economy
The Good News: For years, our Economic Development Department was under-resourced—but that’s changing. Between 2019 and 2022, I proudly supported efforts to quadruple the size of the department and launch two major initiatives: the Economic Development Strategic Plan and the Downtown Revitalization Plan.
These plans are already delivering results. Our team is now laser-focused on retaining the incredible businesses that call Corona home—and attracting new ones through our Work, Live, Shop Corona program. This initiative is designed to bring great jobs to our city, helping match local talent with new business opportunities right here in Corona.
Over the past seven years, I’ve spoken with dozens of business owners who have expanded—or wanted to expand—in Corona. Two concerns come up again and again:
- Traffic – Congestion is hurting deliveries and daily operations.
- Permitting Delays – Staffing cuts and retirements left our permitting process slow and outdated.
We’ve made progress, but there’s more to do.
In 2021, I led the creation of a Building and Permitting Ad-Hoc Committee with a clear mission: streamline the permitting process, simplify inspections, and help businesses open faster. We’re building a culture of “Getting to Yes.” While we’re not there yet, we’ve made real strides.
City staff have developed video tutorials and process flowcharts to help residents and business owners navigate the system. We’ve also launched public dashboards and performance metrics so everyone can track our progress: https://corstat.coronaca.gov/stories/s/Building-Division-Dashboard/k78n-it9q.
As of 2026, our Economic Development team has grown to seven dedicated professionals—all working to retain local businesses, revitalize our downtown, and bring high-quality jobs to Corona.
Downtown Revitalization: A New Era Begins
In late 2024, the City Council took bold action by acquiring the property in the long-neglected South Mall from an underperforming developer. We reimagined the space, redesigned the parking lot, added a vibrant outdoor patio, and gave the center a new name: THE HUB.
In 2025, we celebrated a major milestone—the opening of Circle City Tavern, the first new restaurant in the Downtown Mall in over 30 years! Alongside The Wine Down, an upscale wine and charcuterie bar, these new businesses mark the beginning of a transformative new chapter for Downtown Corona—with many more exciting additions on the way.
Homeless Crisis and Corona: Real Solutions, Real Progress
Homeless Crisis and Corona: Real Solutions, Real Progress
The homelessness crisis continues to impact communities across California—and Corona is no exception. That’s why in 2020, I proudly joined my colleagues on the City Council to establish the Homeless Solutions Office, a dedicated team focused on addressing this complex issue with compassion and accountability.
That same year, the City adopted its first Homeless Strategic Plan, developed through a robust, community-wide effort. The plan includes:
- A Comprehensive Needs Assessment
- A Homeless Cost Impact Analysis
- An Evaluation of Best Practices and Proven Models
- A Strong Community Engagement Process
This strategic, data-driven approach has already made a difference—homelessness in Corona has decreased by 34% since the plan’s implementation.
In 2018, I pledged to support long-term funding for the Corona Police Department’s H.O.P.E. Team (Homeless Outreach and Psychological Evaluation). In 2022, we doubled the size of the team and expanded partnerships with CityNet and Riverside County Behavioral Health to accelerate housing placements and mental health support for our unhoused neighbors.
Corona’s Homeless Strategic Plan includes all three essential housing types needed to get people off the streets:
- Emergency Shelter (e.g., Harrison Street Shelter)
- Transitional Housing (e.g., Project RoomKey)
- Permanent Supportive Housing at Casa Dorada- housing the elderly & permanently disabled homeless
These resources empower our police department to enforce anti-camping laws while ensuring that individuals have access to real alternatives.
We’ve also partnered with advocacy groups and service providers to expand outreach and support. While there’s still a long road ahead, I remain committed to keeping people off the streets and protecting the quality of life for Corona’s residents and businesses.
🔗 Learn more about our programs and progress: https://www.theroadhome.coronaca.gov/
Conservation + Parks and Trails= Quality of Life
Homeless Crisis and Corona: Real Solutions, Real Progress
Conservation + Parks and Trails= Quality of Life
Over the past seven years, we’ve made it a priority to invest in the quality of life for Corona residents—through conservation, parks, trails, and community events that bring us together.
In 2020, the City Council approved the purchase of 292 acres of private land along Skyline Trail, including a parcel slated for housing development. By securing this land, we permanently protected our wild spaces from future development and preserved them for generations to enjoy.
In 2021, we launched both our Parks Master Plan and Trails Master Plan—essential tools to guide our investments and ensure we’re building a connected, accessible, and vibrant outdoor experience for all. These plans help us understand what we have, what we need, and where we’re going.
Parks Progress
We’ve made substantial upgrades across the city:
- New playgrounds at Lincoln, Sheridan, Santana, Mt. Gate, Tehachapi, and Cresta Verde Parks.
- A new splash pad at Victoria Park, themed around Corona’s iconic road races.
- Reopened Promenade Park, which had been closed for over a decade.
- Committed to investing $5 million per year for the next five years to fully realize the potential of our nearly 40 parks.
Trail Expansion
Our Trails Master Plan formalized Corona’s extensive walking, biking, and hiking network. It includes actionable steps to expand and connect trails, protect access to wild areas, and prevent development from blocking these vital community assets.
Urban Forest Commitment
In 2021, I proudly voted to launch our Urban Tree Plan, committing to plant 15,000 trees in empty tree wells and parks across the city. Trees are more than just greenery—they’re community capital, essential to public health, shade, air quality, and neighborhood beauty.
Community Events That Celebrate Corona
Our commitment to quality of life goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about bringing people together.
- Our 4th of July Parade and Celebration has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated events, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun.
- The Summer Concert Series has become bigger and better than ever, featuring local bands, food vendors, and a festive atmosphere that turns our parks into gathering places for all ages.
These events are more than just entertainment—they’re a reflection of the vibrant, connected community we’re building together.
Infrastructure Before Development
Homeless Crisis and Corona: Real Solutions, Real Progress
Conservation + Parks and Trails= Quality of Life
**Development isn’t the problem—**development without the right infrastructure is. When we approve housing that’s too dense for existing roads or lacks adequate parking, we set up both current and future residents to fail.
Unfortunately, the State of California is mandating that Corona plan for over 9,000 new housing units, with more than half designated as affordable or low-income. I pledge to use every tool available to prevent poorly planned projects from being built in Corona.
Any new residential development must:
- Fit the character of the neighborhood
- Support nearby commercial areas
- Provide a clear benefit to the city and its residents
I will continue to hold developers to a community-first standard—ensuring proper traffic flow, adequate parking, and thoughtful design. Residents come first, always.
Smart Growth That Supports Jobs and Revenue
I proudly support commercial, office, and industrial development that helps retain jobs in Corona, gets our residents off the freeways, and strengthens our local tax base.
That’s why I’ve backed:
- Bedford Marketplace retail development
- Revitalization of Dos Lagos
- Downtown Revitalization
- New Class A office space at Dos Lagos
- Over 1.7 million square feet of new industrial development, bringing high-quality jobs to our city
Infrastructure Investments That Matter
We’re not just talking about infrastructure—we’re building it.
- Redundant Power for The Crossings and Dos Lagos: I championed a redundant power solution, that almost completely cured the dozens of power outages that threatened the livelihood of businesses and made living in this area not just frustrating but dangerous. I bought SCE and Corona DWP to the table to blaze a path for this project and with the approval of my colleagues, the new line was energized just 13month later.
- AI-Powered Traffic Signal Project: I voted to fund over $6 million in smart traffic systems that use artificial intelligence to improve traffic flow citywide.
- Hundreds of lane miles repaved: We’ve invested in major street resurfacing and paving projects across Corona to improve safety, reduce wear and tear, and support future growth.
- Expanded road capacity: From widening Ontario Avenue under the I-15 to planning improvements along Temescal Canyon Road, we’re making sure our roads can handle the future.
Smart development starts with smart infrastructure. I’ll continue fighting to ensure Corona grows responsibly—with the roads, services, and resources to support it.