TLDR
Mike and Brenda Licitra are a power couple driven by authenticity and tenacity. Together, they have been active leaders in community with Ridgecrest 50501 and participation in City Council meetings against the Flock Tracking Camera system in Ridgecrest.
Brenda moved to the desert for work, but the two stayed because they enjoyed the seclusion. The two are dedicated to raising their daughter and protecting the future of our country.
Biography
Brenda grew up with stories of her ancestors’ courage. On her father’s side: a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Howell Trogden, who led the charge in the Battle of Vicksburg. Her paternal grandfather was also a paratrooper during the Korean War. On her Mother’s side: Magat Salamat, who fought the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. Her maternal grandfather fought in WWII and the Korean war as a Filipino citizen in the American Army.
Brenda earned her Bachelor’s degree and worked in industry for 10 years before moving to Ridgecrest in 2016 for work at China Lake. She has lived all over California, but believes the Eastern Sierras is the most beautiful place she has lived. She wants to keep it beautiful and is opposed to the Inyokern Data Center. She is also concerned about blackouts that could occur with increased strain on the electrical grid. Blackouts in the summer have a direct correlation with an increase in deaths.
Brenda and her husband, Mike, met in 2014 while working at Google. The two became sick of Silicon Valley and tried to move away from all of it. Seeing Ai-powered surveillance pop-up in Ridgecrest is the kind of thing they were trying to escape. They have stepped up as community leaders with Ridgecrest 50501 and efforts against the Flock system at City Council meetings.
Ridgecrest 50501, is a group made up for both conservatives and liberals. Brenda has learned to accept people where they are to work towards a common goal. 50501 is against authoritarianism and has a goal to restore checks and balances through our elections.
Brenda Licitra for City Council 