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Hollister city voters who reside in District 2 will elect a new representative after Councilmember Rolan Resendiz opted to not seek re-election. Resendiz was first elected to the City Council in 2019.
Newcomers Frida Benjamin and Brian Chavez are vying for the District 2 seat which encompasses west Hollister, including the Calaveras Elementary school area, the R.O. Hardin Elementary area, as well as some neighborhoods south of Hollister High School.
The Hollister council District 2 race will be among those featured at BenitoLink’s 2026 General Election Forum set for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Granada Theater.
Frida Benjamin, who did not provide her age, is an employment specialist who has lived in the district for almost five years. She has not previously held elected office.
BenitoLink: Residents are split on whether the city should continue to organize the biker rally, and when it should be held. If elected, would you support it? Why or why not?
Benjamin: Yes I agree to holding the motorcycle rally. Listening to our past, most of our community voters favored the rally, establishing public backing. I believe partnering with a qualified promoter who assumes promotion fees and provides industry expertise will be a successful event. I believe that under proper management, the event will become a profitable endeavor, generating revenue for local businesses and the city of Hollister.
Residential growth is a contentious issue in the community and several housing projects are in the pipeline. How do you think the city should approach growth?
Instead of outward expansion let’s promote infill expansion which directly lowers infrastructure costs since they are already in place and protects the budget. Exploring and learning more about our community needs and prioritizing the needs of current residents before taking on new external burdens.
Among the biggest challenges the City Council faces is maintaining the city’s aging infrastructure. What projects or issues do you think should be at the forefront?
The forefront of our city’s infrastructure priorities must be comprehensive modern and wastewater system upgrades, paired with a disciplined, resident-first growth strategy that protects our local taxpayers. When underground infrastructure is neglected, residents bear the brunt through service disruption, backups, health risks and costly emergency repairs that drain local resources. Prioritizing self-sustaining, community-centered investments ensures that local tax dollars resolve direct neighborhood concerns before taking on regional burdens.
Brian Chavez, 36, is a business owner who has lived in the district for almost four years. He has not previously held elected office.
BenitoLink: Residents are split on whether the city should continue to organize the biker rally, and when it should be held. If elected, would you support it? Why or why not?
Chavez: There is a lot of confusion regarding the biker rally. It needs to be more transparent. I also believe events should be managed and administered by an event promoter. We should collaborate with promoted events through Parks and Recreation along with Hollister PD overseeing public safety. As councilman, I’d look for new opportunities to make it better and do the same with all the other events held within our city.
Residential growth is a contentious issue in the community and several housing projects are in the pipeline. How do you think the city should approach growth?
We don’t have a choice here. Slow growth turned into no growth and now the state wants us to plan for more. We need to approach this together with the county to find solutions and work toward the common goal. Our city should also approach growth as you and I do in life, with purpose. We have to ask ourselves how we can make growth benefit our community.
Among the biggest challenges the City Council faces is maintaining the city’s aging infrastructure. What projects or issues do you think should be at the forefront?
Maintenance and preventative maintenance is key. I hate to take attention away from all the other things we need but we should also be discussing what we want for Hollister as a whole. One of the other issues I see is that we don’t have a vision. We can’t plan for a future without having a vision. What are we working towards? Answering that question will help clear up our path and priorities. I don’t have all the answers but I will commit to finding as many as I can.
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