Local business owner campaigns on “Moving Los Banos Forward” by promoting transparency, accountability, community engagement
“…our community is due for some upgrades.” – Council District 4 candidate Travis Loebig
While he may be a newcomer to Los Banos politics, District 4 city council candidate Travis “T.J.” Loebig is not a newcomer to the community. A leader in the Los Banos Little League, and owner of a local business, Loebig has been actively working to improve things in town and has proven he’s not afraid to speak out on matters important to him and other residents.
The first-time candidate for city council and 15-year Los Banos resident is running to unseat three-time incumbent Deborah Lewis who is seeking her fourth term. Loebig is running on a campaign platform of “promoting transparency, accountability, and community engagement” using the slogan, “Moving Los Banos Forward.” His ballot designation is “Small Business Owner” as he is partner with his father, Frank of Premier Pool and Spa which has locations in the Valley and Bay Area. Travis runs the Valley location for the business, based in Los Banos, with a few employees.
“I’ve been blessed to do the business, here in town,” he said when reached for comment about his campaign. “I’ve met with a lot of people with their kids and that kind of drove me toward running.”
Asked about his upbringing and when he moved to Los Banos Loebig said, “I grew up in San Jose and graduated from Pioneer High School. Then I moved to Morgan Hill for a few years. My wife’s family moved out here then we moved out here, shortly after, about 15 years ago.”
“Being from Morgan Hill and seeing those towns grow and flourish, I saw what can happen here,” he stated.
Asked why he’s running, Loebig shared “It was thought about for a little while. After dealing with a lot of people and mentioning it to others trying to get them to run, nobody was interested.”
“We really needed some help communicating with our people, awhile back,” he continued. “The last couple of years we’ve got a lot of help from the city. I felt like we’re going in more of the right direction. It’s a good time for our town in the direction we’re going.”
“After talking with people about running I took it more seriously this past year and I decided to do it,” Loebig stated. “A lot of people have been butting heads in town. Sometimes you need an outside view.”
Asked if things are going well in the city, why he’s running against an incumbent the candidate said, “I don’t know Deborah at all. In the meetings this past year, there’s been a lot of bickering and it’s kind of frustrating. I just know I can do a good job, in there and get along in a better way. She’s been in there for 12 years and we never see her in the parks.”
“I’m pretty personable and like talking with people and going to the different events in town,” he offered as a contrast.
Campaign Platform & Issues
On his campaign website, Loebig shares about his “Campaign Initiatives” which read, “As the Vice President of Los Banos Little League I have learned that our community is due for some upgrades. My dedication to listening to our community and putting ideas to work will make things better for our district and city.
My campaign focuses on promoting transparency, accountability, and community engagement. The plan is to move projects forward and move past issues that are holding our town and people back from enjoying amenities that are needed to live a beautiful life. Colorado park reconstruction project, which our youth baseball, youth football and adult softball use, along with pushing forward a few other projects throughout our city are on the top of the list.
Loebig also includes two other parts of his campaign platform under “Community”, saying he will be “Engaged with our community with aim to address local concerns and empower citizens;” and “Work towards building a strong and resilient community that values diversity, equality, and progress.”
“As a small business owner, the concerns of building a strong community which starts with our youth is extremely important in order for everyone to grow and have the option to support and build our local business and community in the future,” he added.
Speaks During Council Meeting to Support Colorado Ballpark Improvements, Other Matters
At the Los Banos City Council meeting on Sept. 18, 2024, Loebig spoke during the Public Forum period in support of the improvements to the Colorado Ballpark and other concerns in the community. He said, “I’ve been involved with Colorado Park for the past 15 years. Our town has lost a year or two…because of repetitious things that have happened in the past. When it comes down to our youth sports…and the next steps we need to take, we’ve been blessed with a lot of things over the past few years.”
“There are some things that have been neglected over the past 20 years,” Loebig continued. “One of them is the Colorado park. The other is the Ag Complex. The nets are deteriorating. We got a new snack shack, there, at least. The homeless…there’s been some progress, there.”
“The people from the past…they worked hard to make this town a great place,” he stated. “The surrounding ag area…is beautiful. We have a hidden gem here.”
“Inside of our town we do have a lot of crime,” Loebig added.
He spoke of the skatepark saying, “These last few years we’ve had light poles that have gone down. It’s disgusting. Either we can do it as a city or there are farmers and developers in town who might want to put some money toward this.”
“I don’t want to just spend the City’s money,” Loebig continued mentioning “the city manager’s deal. But he’s been out at the parks.”
“I’m excited about the Colorado,” he concluded. (See 37:55 mark of the Sept. 18, 2024, council meeting video)
Accessible and Responsive
Unlike his opponent, Loebig has a campaign website and has made himself accessible to the public by providing both his cell phone number, (408) 438-0623, and his email address, [email protected].
“I know how important it is when people want to get something done,” he explained. “Just like in my business, if I don’t get back to somebody by the next day, I’m thinking about it. When people need help with things I need to get back to them. I kind of pride myself on that.”
Asked what he’s doing to get the word out about his campaign Loebig said, “I’m out walking door-to-door talking with people. I have signs. I don’t have a lot of money but I’m not accepting any contributions from anyone. I’m still trying to keep it under $2,000.” That’s the threshold at which a candidate is required to form a campaign committee and report their finances.
Personal Life
Loebig said he is married to Leslie, and they have three children, two boys ages 9 and 11 and a girl, age 3. “She’s made an awesome change for us,” he shared. Their kids “are involved in youth football, Little League and soccer in town,” Loebig added.
For more information about his campaign visit www.loebig4council.com.
