Mayor, City of Lancaster
Born and raised in Lancaster, Parris has been the city’s mayor for 17 years. Under his leadership, Lancaster became the first city in the U.S. to achieve zero net energy status, thanks to his advocacy for alternative energy sources. This effort includes collaboration with solar power, hydrogen, and electric vehicle businesses. All of Lancaster’s municipal buildings have transitioned to solar energy. He is a career lawyer, having secured the first million-dollar verdict in Kern County early in his career. He also achieved a historic defamation verdict in Los Angeles, totaling $370 million. He is also the founder and investor in Carthronix, a biotech firm in Lancaster.