Local Chef Eddie Guzman running for city council

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA/KECY) - The race for Yuma City council is heating up with the Arizona primary less than five months away.

Chef Eddie Guzman has decided to take a step outside of the kitchen and give back to the community.

Guzman, executive chef and owner of Julieanna's Steak & Seafood and Takos & Beer, is running for city council.

He was born and raised in Yuma and previously worked as dishwasher at the restaurant he now owns, Julieanna’s Steak and Seafood.

“Last year I had the opportunity to buy Julieanna’s. This was one of my first jobs here, I started as a dishwasher,” said Guzman.

He's also executive chef and owner of Takos & Beer.

Guzman says running two family-oriented and operated restaurants has taught him that, above all, family and community come first.

“Now that I got these restaurants operating, I have learned so much in this industry that I believe that I can give a lot to the community, and now with this opportunity for me running for city council, here in the city of Yuma, I believe I can give back,” explained Guzman.

His focus while on the council will be mental health awareness.

“We just opened a foundation, it’s called Eddie Guzman Foundation and our focus is on mental health, mental awareness, mainly in teenagers,” said Guzman.

Guzman and eight other candidates are working to get the required amount of signatures to get their names on the ballot.

That's between 240 and 400, to be submitted by April 4.

There are three seats on the council up for re-election with so far just one incumbent, Gary Knight, running again.

Another incumbent, Karen Watts is running for mayor against Yuma's current Mayor Doug Nicholls.

A sitting council member who has not yet filled out a statement of interest for re-election is Leslie Mcclendon, the current Deputy Mayor.

The Arizona Primary Election will take place in August.