New Santa Ana | Category Archives: 2016 Elections

Steven Nguyen endorsed for the RSCCD Board by three State Assembly Members

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Steven Nguyen Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: Date: 9/27/16

Contact: Scott Hart, (949) 230-6998

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS YOUNG KIM, MATT HARPER AND TRAVIS ALLEN ENDORSE STEVEN A. NGUYEN FOR RANCHO SANTIAGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT AREA 5

Santa Ana (CA)— Steven Nguyen, candidate for Rancho Santiago Community College District Area 5, announced today that he has been endorsed by Assembly Members Young Kim, Matt Harper and Travis Allen.

“I am proud to endorse Steven A. Nguyen in his race for Rancho Santiago Community College District,” said Assemblywoman Kim. “He has demonstrated his commitment to Santa Ana over the years and continually works to bring the community together. Steven has the vision to serve the RSCCD Board and Students.” Continue reading→

Campaign fundraiser for mayoral challenger Benjamin Vazquez set for Oct. 5

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Alfredo Amezcua, Benjamin Vazquez, Luis Mier, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua 5 Comments

Perhaps the biggest knock on Santa Ana Mayoral challenger Benjamin Vazquez, besides his aggressively liberal politics, is the doubt that he can raise enough money to seriously contend against longtime Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. Vazquez is attempting to answer that doubt with a campaign fundraiser set for Oct. 5, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Robbins Nest, located at 207 W. 2nd St., in DTSA.

The Vazquez fundraiser is hosted by SAUSD Trustee Valerie Amezcua and her dad, former Mayoral candidate Alfredo Amezcua, a criminal defense attorney who regularly defends Santa Ana gangbangers in court; as well as Dr. Arturo Lomeli, a Dentist; Eddie Quillares (a local insurance agent); Luis Mier (a local bail bondsman); and Santa Ana City Councilman Sal Tinajero. Continue reading→

CA State Treasurer John Chiang endorses Bruce Bauer for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Democratic Party, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Bruce Bauer and John Chiang

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bruce Bauer, 949-293-5311 – bruce@bauer4sausd.com

Subject: CALIFORNIA STATE TREASURER, JOHN CHIANG, ENDORSES BRUCE BAUER FOR SANTA ANA SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Ana, CA – Demonstrating his potent force in the race for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board race, Bruce Bauer, currently the Vice-Chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission collected a major statewide endorsement from California’s State Treasurer John Chiang.

John Chiang is currently the Treasurer for the State of California and was elected to that position in 2014. Prior to Treasurer, John Chiang was the Controller for the State of California for the period from 2006 to 2014. He is widely regarded for his work both as the State Controller and Treasurer. He is considered a top-contender for the 2018 governor’s race since his announcement that he will be running for that position in May of this year. Continue reading→

A Santa Ana resident is challenging Tom Daly in the 69th Assembly District election this Nov.

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Ofelia Velarde-Garcia, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Tom Daly 2 Comments

ofelia-velarde-garcia-and-her-supporters

Ceci Iglesias, Ofelia Velarde-Garcia, Angie Cano and Steven Nguyen

Over half of the voters in the 69th Assembly District are Latino – but our Assembly representative is Tom Daly, who as the former Mayor of Anaheim had a distinctly anti-Latino record. Daly opposed a Hispanic supermarket that did eventually open in Anaheim without his support. He also persecuted the poor people who live in Anaheim’s motels.

Make no mistake about it, Daly is in the Assembly to serve the 1% – and to vote for whatever Disney and other special interests in Anaheim ask him to vote for. Continue reading→

Ana Urzua Alcaraz explains why she is running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Ana Urzua Alcaraz and Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez

I asked Ana Urzua Alcaraz, the only woman candidate running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3, to send me her campaign platform and she did! Here it is:

Economic Security

I will dedicate myself to create better economic security for our city’s residents. I will champion good jobs, living wages, benefits for workers, more funds for apprenticeship and job training, and higher standards for city contracts to produce good jobs.

I will champion economic opportunities for youth through career pathway programs, and partnerships with educational institutions. Young people deserve the chance to grow in Santa Ana and raise their children here too. Balanced growth will ensure that Santa Ana does not become too expensive for its residents to afford. Continue reading→

Meet Santa Ana City Council Ward 1 candidate Jessica B. Cha on 9/28

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Jessica Byulnim Cha, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

Jessica B. Cha, our endorsed candidate for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 1, is hosting a campaign meet and greet and fundraiser on Wed., September 23, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Robbins Nest Wine Bar & Bistro, located at 207 W 2nd Street, in Santa Ana. RSVP to (626) 422-0183 or email martin@presidiosc.com. You can also contribute online here.

Cha is a successful family law attorney with a law practice located in Santa Ana. Her father Walter owns a number of properties in our city. I had a chance to hear her in action at this week’s Com Link candidates’ forum. She knows the issues and is a good communicator. Continue reading→

Solorio is building a massive campaign for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Jose Solorio, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Former Santa Ana City Councilman and State Assemblyman Jose Solorio is not taking his latest campaign, for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3, lightly, He has quietly collected a slew of top endorsements, including:

Santa Ana Police Officers Association
Orange County Professional Firefighters Association
SEIU – USWW (Justice for Janitors)
Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582
United Association, Local 250
IBEW, Local 441
Heat & Frost Insulators, Local 5
Ironworkers, Local 416
Ironworkers, Local 433
Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties – Community Action Fund
Democratic Party of Orange County

Continue reading→

Supporters of Iglesias and Cano for the SAUSD School Board to meet on 9/24

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Angie Rosario Cano, Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Grow Elect is hosting a Leadership Initiative meeting on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2016, at 9 a.m., at 563 N. Fairview St. in Santa Ana.

Raul Riesgo, a member of Grow Elect, will be talking about public speaking and community organizing with the goal of electing Ceci Iglesias and Angie Cano to the SAUSD School Board in the November Primary Election. Continue reading→

Mayoral challenger Vazquez picks up a pair of major Democratic Party endorsements

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Benjamin Vazquez, Democratic Party, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Ana Urzua Alcaraz and Benjamin Vazquez

Santa Ana Mayoral candidate Benjamin Vazquez looked like a longshot when he first announced his campaign against longtime Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. Now I’m not so sure about that as Vazquez has picked up a couple of major endorsments.

Vazquez has been endorsed by both the Democratic Party of Orange County and the Orange County Young Democrats. While neither of these organizations are likely to pump much money into Vazquez’ campaign coffers they are notable endorsements – and they hint at what might be a gathering storm for Pulido. Continue reading→

Ana Urzua Alcaraz just might beat all the men running for Santa Ana’s Ward 3

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Angelica Amezcua, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Ward 3 candidates Ana Urzua Alcaraz and Juve Dan Pinedo

I had a chance to see Santa Ana Ward 3 City Council candidate Ana Urzua Alcaraz in action at last night’s Com Link Candidates Forum. She was squeezed between a big pile of male Ward 3 candidates but Alcaraz managed to stand out in the crowd.

I have been involved in Santa Ana politics for a very long time but I don’t recall any candidate quite like Urzua Alcaraz. While she is young and very attractive she is also smart as a whip – and she’s friendly. She knows how to work an audience. Continue reading→

Councilwoman Angie Amezcua has endorsed David De Leon to replace her in Ward 3

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, David De Leon, Santa Ana 1 Comment

David De Leon is one of many candidates running for Santa Ana’s Ward 3 this year. That seat is going to be vacated by the incumbent, Councilwoman Angie Amezcua, in November. You may recall that she was accidentally elected four years ago when she did not campaign and spent zero on her campaign but won in a crowded field of male candidates. Her recognizable last name and ballot title (teacher) and her gender no doubt did the trick.

Amezcua has been a fairly invisible Councilwoman. She is a kindergarten teacher and has her own kids to raise as well. I am sure she will be much happier not serving in a public office. She recently endorsed De Leon, stating: Continue reading→

Sorry Roman Reyna, your gun-grabbing pal Gavin Newsom isn’t going to save your campaign

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, David Benavides, Democratic Party, Guns, Phil Bacerra, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana City Councilman Roman Reyna must be in full panic mode by now. Reyna is running for reelection in November, but this time he is facing a 25-year member of law enforcement, Juan Villegas. Do you remember what happened to Reyna the last time he ran against someone in law enforcement?

Reyna got his butt kicked in 2004 by Claudia Alvarez, a Deputy O.C. District Attorney, when they faced off in that year’s Ward 5 election. Alvarez thoroughly trounced Reyna by over 16,000 votes, according to Smart Voter. Continue reading→

Martinez to host a fundraiser for her Supervisorial campaign on 9/28 in Santa Ana

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Democratic Party, Michele Martinez, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez is hosting a fundraiser for her Supervisorial campaign on Wednesday, September 28th at the law offices of AlvaradoSmith, located 1 MacArthur Place, Suite 200, in Santa Ana.

If you are able to attend this event, please RSVP at Martinez4Supervisor2016@GMail.com or call (310) 505-2619. Continue reading→

Jessica B. Cha is our choice for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 1

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Jessica Byulnim Cha, Lawyers, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 1 Comment

It is very difficult to beat incumbents in Santa Ana however local family law attorney Jessica B. Cha is giving it a go. She has filed to run against Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Vince Sarmiento in the upcoming November General Election, in Santa Ana’s Ward 1.

Cha’s parents came to the U.S. from South Korea in 1975. They have very little to their name and, like many Santa Ana residents, had to learn English. Cha’s mother eventually worked full-time as a registered nurse. Cha remembers fondly that her mom always picked her up from school and never missed any of her school functions. Her mom also took care not only of Cha and her sister but also their grandfather, who lived with them. Continue reading→

SAUSD School Board candidate Bauer to hold a campaign fundraiser on 9/20

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Education, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAUSD School Board Candidate Bruce Bauer, an attorney and member of the Santa Ana Planning Commission, is hosting a Fundraiser for his campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 at El Pico de Gallo restaurant, located at Flower & 17th Street, in Santa Ana at 7:00 pm. Continue reading→