BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Ahead of the November 5 general election, 17 News will profile candidates for federal, state and local offices. This week, we're featuring the race for Bakersfield City Council Ward 2, one of three city council races this year. 17's political reporter Jenny Huh spoke one-on-one with incumbent Andrae Gonzales, who's embarking on his second run for reelection. He first took office in 2016. One year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, Bakersfield feels the shockwaves Gonzales said he's running again because the to-do list for Ward 2 is only getting longer. "I want to see us transform," Andrae Gonzales said. "It's just, there's a lot to do… We really need that experienced leadership who can begin on day 1." That, Gonzales said, is why he's asking for four more years on the dais. "So, when people say homelessness is concentrated in downtown, yes, it is, but historically it has been that way. There's nothing that I've proposed, or the city is doing that's concentrating people, particularly into downtown," he said. Gonzales described homelessness as the City's number one complaint. It's perhaps the most visible issue downtown too. "Number one, the fentanyl crisis and the drug crisis that we're experiencing locally," Gonzales said of what contributes to homelessness. "Number two, mental health and treatment…" Gonzales also highlighted frustration that the matter has worsened without tougher consequences, especially as those who were once incarcerated now simply find themselves on the streets. Vote-by-mail ballots for 2024 general election now going out to registered Kern County voters That's why, Gonzales said, he's all for services like CARE Court, which would mandate treatment for some unhoused individuals. He already has some folks in mind, Gonzales said. The 42-year-old said shelters like the Brundage Lane Navigation Center -- which he helped advance -- are far from permanent solutions. Andrae Gonzales: "We have a waiting list…" 17's Jenny Huh: "So is there still not enough space [at emergency shelters]?" Andrae Gonzales: "No… what I believe we need to do is build more housing." But he did note some success stories. "We've been able to permanently house almost 400 people… 298 people in the shelter tonight, plus another 400 beds the city has sponsored or helped sponsored, emergency shelter beds over the last five years, that's over 1,100 people who would've been on the street last night had we done nothing," the incumbent reflected. Gonzales said he's frustrated that despite it all, people still regularly fall into homelessness. "Building affordable housing has been a competing priority for me," he said. "[That way], there are more opportunities there are for people in the shelter today to move out of the shelter tomorrow." Increased affordable housing, the incumbent emphasized, is both a preventative and downstream answer to what he called the continued crisis. And part of those efforts, Gonzales noted, is revitalization, especially of downtown. "The stronger our downtown is, the stronger our city becomes," he stated. Gonzales added, "If we have more people living in the downtown core, that becomes a benefit for not only the nightlife… but it also provides a stronger sense of safety… [there are more] eyes and ears on the streets." And some of Ward 2's unique challenges as the urban core as challenges "that have been in the making for decades," according to the councilmember. For one, there's a higher concentration of downtown businesses in Ward 2. Hence Gonzales' long-term goal of downtown revitalization. "Improvements of streetlighting, landscaping, trees, street trees, street furniture, better sidewalks," Gonzales said, listing some examples. Such efforts, he said, can improve the walkability of downtown as well. Outside of the City Council, which is a part-time job, Gonzales is CEO of Stewards, a Christian nonprofit that works to prevent individuals -- especially those with mental disabilities and other disorders -- from falling into homelessness. Ward 2 is the third largest in terms of population, with about 59,000 residents. Extending as far as Ming Avenue to the south, Bernard Street to the north; and from Mohawk Street to the west and Sterling Road on the east, Ward 2 is known as the "downtown" ward -- the most urban and diverse. City council members make $100 monthly.Gonzales was born and raised in east Bakersfield and resides in the Eastchester area. He is the first Latino to serve as vice mayor. Gonzales is a registered Democrat. "I know how easy it is for people to point fingers," Gonzales said, acknowledging the critiques he often receives as the face of Ward 2. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Responding specifically to the critique of his opponent, Michael Cardenas, that City Council should invest more on preventative measures, Gonzales answered, while that's true, "When you're in a crisis and you have a thousand people plus who are on the street tonight, tell them you want to focus on prevention. They're already experiencing the crisis, they're already on the street." Gonzales said he wouldn't recommend the development of more shelters, noting various complications such as "political pressure," high costs, as well as residents who don't want shelters in their backyards. Another concern of the ward -- crime and small business security. "We have spent nearly a million dollars now to provide grants for businesses to harden their sides," Gonzales said of the city's business security grants. Such city grants, Gonzales said, are allowing businesses to install cameras, gates and more. And when it comes to the recurring vacant building fires, Gonzales said he wants to get the arsonists locked up. "We need more arson investigators," he said. Click here for the full interview with Andrae Gonzales. Gonzales will face Michael Cardenas -- the lone challenger -- in the Nov. 5 general election.