A 23-year-old former Golden Gloves boxer is hoping his lifelong ties to the Security-Widefield community will be enough to earn him a seat on the El Paso County Commission.

Luis Ybarra Jr., is running against Republicans Cory Applegate, Karl Dent, Brenda Delgado Miller and Raymond Garcia, as well as Democratic at-large Councilwoman Detra Duncan to replace term-limited Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez.

Ybarra is the only unaffiliated candidate running in District 4, as well as the youngest.

The multiple Golden Gloves boxing champ said he sees his relative youth as an advantage.

“I know a lot of the other candidates are older than I am,” Ybarra said. “But I feel I can help connect the younger generation with the older generation to move our district forward into the future.”

“The young people in this district are an untapped resource with a lot of potential, and I don’t think their voices are being heard.”

Ybarra said he felt a need to give back to the community where he was born and raised.

“I know this community, because I grew up here,” he said. “I know the people here. I talk to them every day, I see their daily struggles, and I understand their concerns.”

Infrastructure is one of the area’s biggest concerns and will be a priority if Ybarra is elected, he said.

“The roads are deteriorating,” he said. “I drive down these streets every day, and they’re just not up to par. That needs to change.”

Keeping the water clean and supporting local businesses are also among his priorities, Ybarra said.

“I currently work for the Security Water Department, so I see our water issues firsthand,” he said. “I believe the county should take a bit more of a proactive stance as far as managing water here in the district.”

Ybarra, who runs a nonprofit boxing gym with his father and former trainer, said improving the infrastructure is a key component in fostering growth by making the district more attractive to businesses.

“I believe growth is good,” he said. “I believe it is something that you can’t stop, and you shouldn’t stop. But if we want to participate in that growth, we need to make District 4 a place where people want to set up their businesses.”

Ybarra said he believes the work ethic he has developed over years in the boxing ring will serve him well if he is elected to the County Commission.

“I know how to work hard,” he said. “I know how to set goals, and make plans to achieve those goals. And the same way I was dedicated to my sport, I’m now dedicated to trying to make this community a better place to live.”