By Brett Callwood
As we build up to the General Municipal Election on June 2, the GVN will be speaking to the candidates, continuing with Alan Chan, who is standing for City Council…
Can you give us a brief summary of your career / life in politics? What makes you an ideal candidate for this role?
As a native Angelino raised in the San Gabriel Valley, my identity is shaped by being “of three suns”: a child of Hong Kong immigrants, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a dedicated professional in the IT sector. This unique perspective fuels my commitment to “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.” My background as an information systems engineer allows me to bring a smart, fact-based approach to city governance, ensuring we prioritize progress over bureaucracy. With over 25 years of experience helping organizations build resilient IT operations and managing budgets through major corporate acquisitions, I am well-prepared to operationalize change and manage our city’s resources effectively.
What makes Gardena special?
Gardena is a hidden gem in South LA that has made great progress with new amenities like the new aquatic center. While the city has been progressive about market-rate housing, we must overcome local opposition and align with any future state leadership to build affordable housing and address the homelessness crisis.
If successful, what would your first act be? What are your priorities?
To thrive in the age of AI, Gardena must modernize. Currently, half of our city lacks high-speed internet access (>100Mbps upload). I intend to pursue public-private partnerships to ensure every resident has choices for fast and reliable internet necessary to participate in the modern economy. While Gardena has made tremendous strides over the last decade, we must continue to lead in technology, housing, transportation, and climate resilience.
Where have the current council been successful, and where have they been less so?
The current City Council has been distracted by internal conflict, including historic censures of its own members. We need leadership without conflicts of interest. I am committed to transparency and adherence to the standards set by California Code Section 1090 to ensure our representatives are not financially interested in city contracts. I urge all candidates to promise to recuse themselves from any potential conflicts regarding special interests. To that end, I have created two petitions for residents to sign regarding the recusal of Jeff Fukusawa (https://c.org/bts8bwJmzL) from police matters and Wanda Love (https://c.org/Yj2hdTzM5z) from specific business matters.
How is the campaign going so far?
The campaign is going well. I believe in the egalitarian ideal that public office should be accessible to everyone, not just career politicians or elites. By bringing more diverse voices to the table, we can better represent our community’s actual needs.
Any endorsements?
I have no formal endorsements yet, but updates will be posted at https://www.alankc.com/index.php/my-2026-endorsements/.
What would you like to say to the people of Gardena?
I am intentionally running my campaign through my personal website rather than a separate political entity because I believe our system is broken. Voters deserve genuine connection, not polished PR that devolves into self-dealing once politicians take office. Visit my website, https://www.alankc.com, or follow my social media updates to learn more about my journey and platform.
