Andrew Herrera launches Brea City Council bid focused on small business growth

Community advocate Andrew Herrera has entered the 2026 Brea City Council race with a campaign built around small businesses, economic development and fiscal restraint. Herrera says he wants to help keep Brea competitive for employers, shoppers and families while preserving the city’s local character.

Why it matters: - Brea’s economy depends heavily on small, local businesses, and Herrera is making that the center of his campaign. - The race could shape how the city balances growth, public safety, infrastructure and tax policy in the years ahead. - Herrera is positioning himself as a pro-business candidate at a time when local economic competition across Orange County remains intense.

What happened: - Andrew Herrera announced his candidacy for the 2026 Brea City Council election on Aug. 9, 2026. - Herrera’s campaign is centered on supporting small businesses and strengthening Brea’s local economy. - Herrera said he wants Brea to remain one of Orange County’s premier places to live, work and invest. - Herrera has been known in the community as the “Enjoy Brea Guy” through volunteer social media platforms that highlight local businesses.

The details: - Roughly 70% of Brea’s businesses are small, locally owned enterprises. - Those businesses support local jobs and keep investment within the community. - Brea has approximately 2,500 businesses that provide more than 40,000 jobs. - The city’s commercial centers include Brea Mall, Downtown Brea, Brea Marketplace and Gateway Center. - Those districts attract millions of visitors each year and generate economic activity that supports city services. - Herrera said local restaurants, shops, contractors, service providers and family-owned businesses create jobs and strengthen neighborhoods. - Herrera said his priorities include a business-friendly permitting process. - Herrera also wants policies that help small businesses start, grow and stay in Brea. - Herrera said he would invest in infrastructure that supports economic development and public safety. - Herrera said he would work with local business leaders to attract quality employers and expand career opportunities. - Herrera said he would maintain responsible fiscal policies that protect taxpayers while investing in the city’s future. - More information is not provided in the source text; no official campaign website was included.

Between the lines: - Herrera is framing economic development as a way to protect Brea’s identity, not just its tax base. - The campaign message suggests a focus on balancing growth with the preservation of the city’s existing character. - By emphasizing listening to residents, business owners and community organizations, Herrera is signaling a pragmatic, coalition-based campaign style.

What's next: - Herrera said the campaign will continue engaging residents, business owners and community organizations. - If elected, Herrera says he will push policies aimed at entrepreneurship, new investment and long-term competitiveness. - Voters will decide the 2026 Brea City Council race.

The bottom line: - Herrera is betting that a pro-small-business, pro-growth message will resonate in a city where local commerce is a major economic engine.