New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Jose Solorio

Poll: Who is Santa Ana’s 2012 Man of the Year?

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, David Benavides, Elections, George Collins, Gerardo Mouet, Jeff Dickman, Jose Solorio, Julio Perez, Ken Nguyen, Lou Correa, Miguel Pulido, Paul Walters, Politics, Rob Richardson, Robert Hammond, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Sean Mill, Thomas Gordon 17 Comments

As has been our tradition, it is time to vote for the Santa Ana Man and Woman of the Year, for 2012. And we have quite a few great choices to choose from, in our poll below. You can vote for up to three nominees. Voting will close on January 8, 2013.

This year’s mayoral race produced three of our nominees – Mayor Miguel Pulido, and candidates David Benavides and George Collins. But we also delved into our city’s non-profit sector to find stellar nominees Dwight Smith, of the OC Catholic Worker; Armando De La Libertad, the Director of the Delhi Center; Scott Overpeck, of the awesome community project Laundry Love; Scott Glaab, the head of the Santa Ana Athletic Foundation and a local high school wrestling coach; and Benjamín Vázquez, of El Centro Cultural de Mexico.

Please let us know if we missed anyone and we can add them to our poll right away. Here is the poll – note that you may vote for up to three candidates at once: Continue reading→

Can Solorio take Correa’s State Senate seat in 2014?

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Claudia Alvarez, Democratic Party, Elections, Janet Nguyen, Joe Dovinh, Jose Solorio, Julio Perez, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana, Tom Daly 9 Comments

Jose Solorio no longer has to fly to Sacramento every week to do business in the State Legislature, having termed out as our Assemblyman in the 69th Assembly District. Reportedly he has his eyes on State Senator Lou Correa’s seat in the 34th State Senate District, which will open up in 2014.

Solorio was just elected to the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education, where he was quickly appointed the Board Vice President. He might be the most overqualified School Board Trustee in Orange County – but it is great to see him leading a new Latino majority on a board that once was almost lily white. Continue reading→

New Trustees installed on the Rancho Santiago CCD Board of Trustees

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Arianna Barrios, Claudia Alvarez, Education, Jose Solorio, Larry Labrado, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Santa Ana 2 Comments

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2012

Contact: Judy Iannaccone , Director, Communications Phone: (714) 480-7503, e-mail: iannaccone_judy@rsccd.edu

Four Trustees Installed on the Rancho Santiago CCD Board of Trustees, Officers Elected

(Santa Ana)— On Monday, December 10, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Trustees, four newly elected trustees were sworn into office. They include Claudia C. Alvarez representing Area 5, Arianna P. Barrios representing Area 7, Jose Solorio representing Area 1, and Nelida Mendoza Yanez representing Area 3.

The installation ceremony featured a number of community leaders administering the oaths of office and serving as witnesses. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas issued the oath of office to Alvarez. Orange Mayor Tita Smith administered the oath of office to Barrios; her father Russell Barrios served as witness. Judge Salvador Sarmiento issued the oath of office to Yanez; Senator Lou Correa served as witness. Correa administered the oath of office to Solorio. Continue reading→

Solorio touts his accomplishments as he readies to leave the State Assembly

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Assemblyman Jose Solorio is leaving the State Legislature soon and he will be returning to a part time job as a new Trustee on the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education. Solorio sent out a farewell email today, outlining what he feels are his accomplishments:

Dear Friend:

As my six years in the State Assembly come to an end today, I want to thank you and let you know it has been an honor to serve the constituents of the 69th Assembly District. I am grateful that my tenure in the State Assembly resulted in many accomplishments, especially in light of the fiscal and political crises that dominated the last five years. Continue reading→

Who is Santa Ana’s most powerful politician?

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, 2014 Elections, Angelica Amezcua, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Elections, Eric Alderete, Estela Amezcua, Janet Nguyen, John Palacio, Jose Solorio, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, Mark McLoughlin, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Rob Richardson, Robert Hammond, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

Public Opinion Poll Results

Who is Santa Ana’s most powerful politician? U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez certainly made her case this year by helping to elect Anaheim Council Candidate Jordan Brandman and Assembly Candidate Sharon Quirk-Silva. But Assemblyman Jose Solorio also was a key factor in the successful re-election of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and the victory of Assembly Candidate Tom Daly.

But what about Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez? Has there ever been a more powerful termed out local politician? She beat out two candidates who were incumbents, for the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Trustees. And she helped elect unknown and unfunded Santa Ana Council Candidate Angelica Amezcua, in Ward 3, while giving Santa Ana Councilman Vince Sarmiento a scare in Ward 1 with Amezcua’s sister, Estela. Continue reading→

Will the RSCCD Trustees vote for a union-only PLA on Measure Q projects?

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Claudia Alvarez, Education, Jose Solorio, Labor, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Will Solorio lead the charge for a union-only PLA on Measure Q projects?

The Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education will be quite different once their new Trustees are sworn in. For the first time that I can remember the Board will be majority Latino with only two holdovers in Phil Yarbrough and John Hanna.

The rest of the Trustees are Latinos – Arianna Barrios; Nelida Yanez; Jose Solorio and Claudia Alvarez. Three of them are Democrats. Barrios however is an independent who is very tight with the Orange County Republicans – and she does public relations work for Anaheim Council Member Kris Murray, another Republican. Continue reading→

Pulido stands up for Vietnamese Americans and the Council backs him up

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Civic Affairs, Claudia Alvarez, Development, Jobs, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana, Vietnamese, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

As this year’s mayoral campaign drew to a close, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, in one fell swoop, was able to secure the vote of most Vietnamese Americans in his city. On Nov. 1, Pulido held a press conference on the steps of the Santa Ana City Hall, with Assemblyman Jose Solorio and Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez, and dozens of Vietnamese American community leaders, to announce his support for a city resolution that would discourage visits by Vietnamese government and trade officials.

Tonight Pulido introduced his resolution and the Council majority reluctantly fell in line as it became apparent to them that there future in the Vietnamese community was on the line. At one point during the meeting the community leaders invited Pulido and the Council to come down and take a picture with a giant flag of South Vietnam, the fallen republic. Pulido and Alvarez quickly stood up and the rest of the Council had no choice but to do so as well. They each received a scarf festooned in the colors of the flag of South Vietnam. Pulido and Alvarez kept their scarves on but the rest of the Council took them off. Continue reading→

Who should replace Tom Daly as the O.C. Clerk-Recorder?

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Elections, Hugh Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Tom Daly Leave a comment

Jordan Brandman has won a seat on the Anaheim City Council and now his colleagues on the Anaheim Union High School District’s Board of Education must decide whether to appoint someone to replace him or to hold a Special Election to fill his seat.

The last time the AUHSD School Board replaced a Trustee was this year when Trustee Jan Harp-Domene passed away suddenly earlier this year. The Board replaced her with Annmarie Randle-Trejo who went on to win a permanent place on the AUHSD School Board in this year’s general election, according to Smart Voter. Continue reading→

Assemblyman Solorio to host a health and info fair for seniors on 11/16

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, Health and Medical, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

Assemblyman Jose Solorio discussing important issues with seniors

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2012
For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio Teams Up with City of Santa Ana to Host Health and Information Fair for Seniors

A variety of health screenings available at no cost

ANAHEIM – State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) is joining the City of Santa Ana in co-hosting a Senior Health and Information Fair on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Santa Ana Senior Center. Continue reading→

How Latino candidates fared in the O.C. Nov. 6 general election

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Anaheim, Angelica Amezcua, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Democratic Party, Elections, Jose Hernandez, Jose Moreno, Jose Solorio, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, Miguel Pulido, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Orange County, Politics, Republican Party, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Steve Chavez Lodge, Tom Daly 6 Comments

Two winners – U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez and Pres. Barack Obama

Fullerton residents are in shock today as they deal with the fact that Assemblyman Chris Norby now needs a job, having lost to Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk-Silva. She ran an aggressive campaign and made heavy use of social media. Norby, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to coast to victory.

While Quirk-Silva’s victory is a great one for Orange County’s Latino voters, I am saddened to see that the 69th Assembly District is now represented by Tom Daly. There is no way he will win re-election in two years, but for now we are stuck with him.

Here is a rundown of how the County’s other Latino candidates fared in the Nov. 6 general election: Continue reading→

Who will win in Santa Ana’s elections on Tuesday?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Bond Measures, Brett Franklin, Cecilia Iglesias, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, Elections, Eric Alderete, Estela Amezcua, Jerry Hayden, Jose Solorio, Karina Onofre, Loretta Sanchez, Mark McLoughlin, Measure GG, Miguel Pulido, Myriam Tinajero, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Orange County, Politics, Rob Richardson, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Tony Tapia, Travis Allen, Troy Edgar, Valerie Amezcua, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

Santa Ana Mayoral challenger David Benavides wasn’t on the ballot two years ago, as he had no opponent for his City Council seat. The last time he appeared on the ballot was six years ago, back when he still mentioned his wife and family on his fliers and websites.

So it was a daunting task for Benavides to ramp up his name I.D. this year in a few short weeks, having announced his mayoral campaign rather late in the game.

As such I think he is going to be toast on Tuesday, Nov. 6. But what about the other races? Who will win? Comment here with your picks, including estimated vote percentages and whoever gets the closest will win a free banner ad on our blog for one month, for the business or non-profit of their choice.

Here are my predictions: Continue reading→

Solorio Scholars awards dinner set for Dec. 8, in Santa Ana

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Education, Entertainment, Jose Solorio Leave a comment

Dear Friend,

As you make end-of-year decisions for worthy non-profit organizations to support, I hope you’ll consider the Orange County Leadership Fund. Your support would not only help our Solorio Scholars cause, but also provide you with an eligible tax deduction.

The Orange County Leadership Fund supports leadership workshops, innovative education initiatives, neighborhood clean-up projects, and programs addressing local and state policy issues. Continue reading→

Assemblyman Solorio asks Santa Ana’s voters to support Mayor Pulido

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Elections, Jose Solorio, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 34 Comments

Assemblyman Jose Solorio has always been a staunch supporter of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. He stepped that up a notch this week sending a personalized letter to every voter in Santa Ana, asking them to vote for Pulido on Nov. 6.

Solorio’s letter focused on Pulido’s many achievements, including: Continue reading→

Solorio Scholars Program seeks applicants for class of 2013

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: October 4, 2012

For More Information Contact: Carol Chamberlain – office: (916) 319-2069, mobile: (916) 804-5355

Solorio Scholars Program Seeks Applicants for Class of 2013

Central Orange County high school seniors from Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana
encouraged to apply for college application help and fees

SANTA ANA, CA — The Orange County Leadership Fund announced that this year’s application deadline to become a “Solorio Scholar,” a program created to inspire more high school students from central Orange County to apply for college, is October 31, 2012. Continue reading→

Solorio to host a campaign fundraiser and birthday party on 9/27

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Democratic Party, Education, Elections, Entertainment, Jose Solorio, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Assemblyman Jose Solorio is hosting a cocktail reception to kick-off his campaign for the Rancho Santiago College District’s Board of Education, and to celebrate his 42nd birthday, on Thursday, September 27, 2012, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Original Mike’s, located at 100 South Main Street, in Downtown Santa Ana.

I don’t personally understand the need for a fundraiser, as Solorio is running unchallenged, but perhaps he is intending to use the money to help other candidates? In either case, Happy Birthday Jose! Continue reading→