Danny Bernal Jr. is a City Councilor of Belen, New Mexico. He is the youngest member elected to the city council in the city’s history. He was elected November of 2019 at the age of 21. He is the youngest member to be elected Mayor Pro Tem at 23. He served as Mayor Pro Tem for the 2022 year.
Councilor Bernal also works full-time as the supervisor of assignments at ADC LTD NM. A local New Mexican federal contractor that conducts background investigations.
Councilor Bernal attended the UNM-Valencia Campus from 2016 to 2018. He was the president and founder of a local Belen based theatre, The Hub Community Theatre. He was a board director of Belen MainStreet, a local non-profit that focused on the economic and structural revitalization of parts of Belen. He was also the Chair of the Belen Lodgers Committee, which focused on tourism.
Councilor Bernal is proud to have accomplished his campaign goals as City Councilor. With the help of city staff and the city governing body, Bernal helped fund long neglected streets such as San Lorenzo, La Luz, Campana, E. Ross, and Didier. As a champion of progress, Bernal helped write and pass a strong vacant building fee, a new animal control ordinance, and the Sky Ranch solar project. Bernal also voted to annex a new industrial zone into Belen.
Councilor Bernal is a founder of the Believe in Belen (BNB) initiative. A group created to help feed and support local businesses during the pandemic. Bernal attributes Belen’s strongest economy partly to BNB.
Councilor Bernal’s newest goals include adopting a master plan for the city, ensuring accountability within the city and city funded organizations, and continuing the progress made with code enforcement and roads.
Councilor Bernal thanks the citizens of Belen for their support. He appreciates the opportunity to be one of the youngest elected officials in New Mexico. Through his dedication and optimism, he hopes to help build a bolder and braver Belen.”