Athena Burciaga never imagined she would run for public office. The fourth-year computer science major at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) grew up more interested in Pokémon than politics.
Burciaga, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, always had a passion for technology, and video games in particular, which she describes as her “biggest form of escapism when [she] was younger.” Yet after moving to Marina from northern Nevada to attend CSUMB two years ago, she was exposed to issues she found impossible to ignore, including housing affordability, transportation and water access. She wanted to get involved but felt her background limited her options.
“I’m a 24-year-old transgender Chicano woman who comes from a family of blue-collar workers,” said Burciaga, now a candidate for Marina City Council. “So, you know, I didn’t really grow up thinking I would go into politics, let alone go to college, because I am first generation.”
Burciaga’s political consciousness was first catalyzed by the 2016 presidential election. Even as a young teen, she found herself inspired by progressive politicians like Bernie Sanders, who she felt best represented the interests of underprivileged communities like hers. That resonance eventually led her to register as a Democratic Socialist.
“Experiencing the adversity firsthand that comes from having these identities has made me seek political awareness and justice. And growing up, my family didn’t have a whole lot of money. What we did have, though, was each other, and from that came my understanding that we are more powerful as a collective than we are divided.”
After moving to Marina, Burciaga got involved with the Democratic Socialists of America. She served for a year as secretary of culture and community for the local chapter, focused mainly on advocacy outside the electoral system. That changed, she says, when Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City in November.
“After I saw [Mamdani] win, it made me realize that everyday working people have a lot more power working as a collective than they have had in maybe the past century,” she said. “So I thought it important for me to step up and put myself out there, and whether I win or lose, it’s gonna hopefully make an impact in the community and bring about some change that I could tell the students and residents here desperately need.”
Housing is a particular concern of Burciaga’s; she opposes a proposal by the current Marina City Council to repeal rent control laws, and hopes to rally students and residents alike to her cause.
She also stands committed to using the platform she would have as councilwoman to advocate for improvements in housing for CSUMB students – an issue she feels her experience uniquely positions her to address.
“I was a resident advisor for a year and a half. So I’ve seen the dysfunction firsthand, in that a lot of residents’ concerns just don’t get addressed, whether we have black mold or asbestos in the buildings. Also, with how many people, year after year, they’re cramming into these small spaces, you’re getting less and less for what you pay.”
As a CSUMB student and Marina resident, Burciaga has had time to identify what issues are important to her personally. But she also aims to spend time over the coming months to meet with her would-be constituents and hear what changes they’d like to see. Those efforts will begin with a town hall meeting at 6th Avenue Studios during the first week of April. An exact date hasn’t yet been determined, but Burciaga plans to work with students to find a day that fits as many schedules as possible. She also invites anyone interested in that event or her campaign to follow @athena4marina on Instagram.
“We want to make sure as many student voices are heard as possible at this town hall that we’re going to have,” she said. “So whether or not you want to come and volunteer and knock doors for us, or you want to support us by just telling your story, we’re happy to facilitate that.”