San Bernardino Republican Women will be welcoming Ronnika Ngalande and Stephanie Vargas as featured speakers at our May 9, 2026 general membership meeting. The meeting will be taking place at the Elks Lodge in San Bernardino at 11:30 AM.
Ronnika Ngalande:
I’m a community-rooted leader, shaped by a family that lived by the principles of service. My mother, who ran an Early Head Start program in San Bernardino, introduced me to the transformative power of providing education, childcare, healthcare, and other supports to low-income families. This experience instilled in me a profound sense of empathy, the importance of clear communication, and a strong sense of responsibility. My father, a dedicated computer engineer actively involved in church and civic life, taught me the value of disciplined problem-solving and unwavering commitment. Furthermore, my grandfather—a police officer and grandmother a respected educator and civil rights advocate— instilled in me the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by law enforcement and importance of education while consistently championing equality and justice. These invaluable lessons continue to guide me every day in my leadership journey.
My family moved to San Bernardino in 1984. Back then our downtown buzzed with life, our economy was strong, and neighborhoods felt safe. San Bernardino was the jewel of the Inland Empire. I look forward to helping make San Bernardino an All‑American city again. That’s why I’m running for Mayor of San Bernardino.
A graduate of Cajon High School, I participated in Mock Trial, played basketball, joined Black Future Leaders, and was honored as Ms. Congeniality at the Ms. Black San Bernardino Pageant. I earned a degree in sociology from UC Riverside and spent more than 25 years at a financial institution as a Learning and Development Consultant, teaching leadership skills, sales strategy, business planning, negotiation, and conflict resolution techniques.
I am currently a Planning Commissioner for Ward 5. This role enables me to apply to the values taught by my family to promote responsible economic development and protect our neighborhoods. I have worked to curtail businesses that exploit our city, advocate for stronger oversight, and prevent bad actors from harming our communities.
My approach is practical and principled: compassionate toward those in need, rigorous in oversight, and unwavering in service to the public good. Guided by conservative values—fiscal responsibility, respect for law, and personal accountability—and a family‑first mindset, I prioritize policies that strengthen households, support small businesses, and restore public safety.
I am married and the mother of one son, who attends the GATE program at Kimbark Elementary; my husband is a rocket scientist at Raytheon and an adjunct professor at USC. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering with the Verdemont Revitalization Project, We Are the Change, the Kendall Beautification Project, the Lions Club, school activities, and neighborhood cleanups.
Stephanie Vargas:
My name is Stephanie M. Vargas and I am running for Congress to represent District 33 in the U.S. House of Representatives… it is a pleasure to meet you.
I was born and raised in San Bernardino, and I’ve spent my entire life within the boundaries of this District. Growing up in a family grounded in faith, I learned early that serving God means loving others and working for the good of our community. Those values continue to guide me, and they are at the heart of why my decision to run for Congress—and to represent the people I know and love—is deeply personal.
That commitment to service has shaped every chapter of my life. From my earliest days serving as a United States Student Ambassador—representing American values overseas in Europe—to my later years protecting Election Integrity, Governmental Transparency, and Ethics, as well as advocating for Student-First Education Policies, my mission has always remained the same: to lead with honor, purpose, and integrity.
In my role as Chief Deputy City Clerk for the City of Colton, I’ve managed more than just paperwork; I’ve been entrusted with strengthening and upholding the public’s trust. As the Official Record-Keeper of the City, I know that democracy only works when the “doors of city hall” are open. I have stood on the front lines to certify the integrity of the ballot box and ensure that every Council meeting and action is an open book.
I have also intentionally stepped into the arena of policy by serving on the League of California Cities Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee. In this role I have been actively working to learn how to bridge the gap between federal policy and local reality. I am ready to bring this experience and wisdom with me to Congress in order to address our communities housing needs and to lower the cost of living and energy.
I have always believed that education should be about students- not politics. Having served as Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary for the Inland Empire and Empire Springs Charter School Boards, I am a fierce advocate for a system that adapts to the needs of the next generation. I am committed to empowering parents with the freedom to choose the environment where their children will thrive.
My respect for our local economy comes from the “ground up.” As the founding General Manager of a small business in Fontana, I lived the reality of late nights and regulatory hurdles. I understand the grit it takes to turn a vision into a reality, and in Congress, I will be a tireless voice for the entrepreneurs who serve as the backbone of our community.
I am resolved to fight for the innocent, protect life and property, and ensure that our fire and law enforcement services have the robust support they need to keep our communities safe. I will not shy away from the hard issues—we must confront homelessness and substance abuse with common‑sense, compassionate, and effective solutions.
My perspective on public safety isn’t theoretical; it comes from hands‑on experience.
As a former Police Explorer and Police Cadet with the San Bernardino Police Department, I had the privilege of working alongside some of the most honorable and dedicated men and women I have ever known. Those years gave me a firsthand understanding of what it truly takes to protect our neighborhoods, respond to crises, and serve vulnerable communities. That experience shaped my commitment to public safety and allows me to approach these challenges with insight that simply cannot be gained from the outside looking in.
My heart for people has shaped every part of my life, both in ministry and in service to the community. As a worship leader and women’s Bible study leader, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people in some of their most vulnerable moments—encouraging the weak, speaking life into the broken, and building supportive spaces where the lonely and overlooked can find belonging.
That same desire to serve has guided my professional life as well. As a city governance professional, I’ve participated in local elementary school career days to inspire the next generation, and I currently serve as a Mentor for the California Municipal Clerks Association (CMCA), helping others grow in their calling to public service.
My love for this community also extends into the arts. As a singer and songwriter, I’ve been honored to perform the National Anthem and other beloved songs at Memorial Day ceremonies and community events—moments that allow me to give back in a way that uplifts and unites.
And as a resident of Rosena Ranch, I put that same passion into action by founding Empower Rosena Ranch, a community group created to unite neighbors and ensure our voices were heard when repeated Public Power Shutoffs disrupted daily life, education, and essential needs. Our collective efforts led to meaningful change, and I was humbled when San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. recognized this work with the “Shero” Award for service and community engagement.
In every season of my life, whether through ministry, mentorship, music, or advocacy, my mission has remained the same: to serve others with compassion, courage, and a steadfast commitment to the well‑being of my community.
More than any professional accomplishment, title, or accolade, my greatest joy comes from being part of raising the next generation. As a wife and mother of three, I look at the world around us and feel a growing urgency about the future they will inherit.
The American Dream—once a promise within reach—is slipping further away as our economy struggles, homeownership becomes a distant memory for many families, and the cost of taxes, living expenses, and energy continues to rise. And while families are working harder than ever just to stay afloat, politicians with radical social agendas are relentlessly attacking the moral fabric of our society, threatening our freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and freedom of conscience.
This is not the America I want to hand over to my children. This is not the America any of us should be willing to accept. We cannot stand by while the foundations of our nation erode. We must take our stand today—courageously and unapologetically—to fight for the America we are in danger of losing.
My reason for running is simple: we must secure a legacy worthy of the next generation. We must fight now so that our children, and their children after them, inherit a future filled with hope, opportunity, and pride. That is the legacy I am determined to protect.
Will you join me in this fight?
