California Highway Patrol officer Robert Rickman declared his intention to run for a seat on the Tracy City Council on Thursday, June 3.

Rickman, a 36-year-old third-generation Tracy resident, joins a field of five other candidates seeking to fill one of two up-for-grab spots on the council, which are currently occupied by Councilwomen Suzanne Tucker and Evelyn Tolbert. He filed his intention to run with the city clerk Thursday.

Rickman said he was inspired to run for the council in part because of his 6- and 8-year-old children.

“I have extensive roots here in Tracy … I have a family here in town, and Tracy is home. And I know that we can do better making Tracy safer and a more desirable place to live and work,” he said. “… I want them to grow up in the city like I did — a city you can be proud of.”

According to a press release, Rickman’s two main platform planks are crime and fiscal responsibility.

Rickman has spent 14 years in law enforcement in addition to earning his Juris Doctorate from Humphrey’s Law School, and he said that Tracy must have a “zero tolerance” policy on crime, especially when it comes to gangs.

Rickman also pledges to be a fiscally responsible leader. In addition to finding “innovative ways” to build the city’s business base, he also said it is imperative that Tracy live within its means without raising taxes on local residents.

Rickman graduated from Tracy High School in 1991 and lives in the city with his wife and children.

The other five declared candidates in the City Council race are activist Larry Gamino, real estate agent Juana Dement, home inspector Larry Hite, corporate manager Bob Elliott and pastor Nancy Young.