Zeel Ahir Wins Spot On Artesia City Council

India-West Staff Reporter

ARTESIA, CA – In a competitive election for the Artesia City Council, Monica Manalo and Zeel Ahir emerged as the top two candidates, securing positions on the council. Manalo led the race with 26.8% of the vote, totaling 1,530 votes, while Ahir closely followed with 26.4% and 1,509 votes. This tight margin underscores the strong support both candidates garnered from the community. Dan Rocha and William Morante Sr. trailed with 24.9% (1,424 votes) and 21.9% (1,251 votes), respectively. A total of 5,714 votes were cast, highlighting active civic engagement in Artesia.

Ahir, born and raised in Artesia, graduated from the ABC Unified School District in 2010. She earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and completed a post-baccalaureate program in Counseling Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. Ahir currently pursues a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California, expected in May 2025.

Ahir’s career has been rooted in community service. She has led initiatives for mental health awareness, particularly within the South Asian community, and been involved in grassroots efforts to reduce plastic consumption and ban harmful fertilizers in California. She also served as a Commissioner of Beautification & Maintenance for Artesia, working to enhance public spaces and improve community aesthetics.

With this win, Ahir joins Manalo on the council, both have said they are committed to addressing the city’s needs and driving positive change in areas like sustainability, education, and local business support.