BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A local man has announced his candidacy for the Ward 1 District of the Bakersfield City Council. Eric Arias held a rally Friday to make the announcement.

The seat recently became vacant when former Councilmember Willie Rivera stepped down.

Arias said in the past six years he has worked closely with the residents of this ward. He said he worked with Supervisor Leticia Perez's office and now works as a field representative for Assemblyman Rudy Salas.

During Friday's announcement, Arias said he dreamed of enlisting into the United States Marine Corps like his father, but those plans changed when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He's recovered and says he is ready to serve in a different capacity.

"We must be able to adapt and overcome it, and that's exactly what we did. In fact, that is why I'm here today to answer the call to service. Not as a United States Marine, but answer the call to serve this city and Ward 1 as the Bakersfield city councilman of Ward 1."

The election for Ward 1 is scheduled for this November.