New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: 2016 Elections

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→

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→

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→

Lou Correa is the best choice for Congress for the people of Santa Ana

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Bao Nguyen, Democratic Party, Loretta Sanchez, Lou Correa, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The battle between Lou Correa and Bao Nguyen, for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, is heating up and getting nasty, according to the O.C. Register.

In our opinion the people of the 46th Congressional District will be better served by Correa. In fact we believe he will be a vast improvement over Sanchez. Continue reading→

RSCCD Area 5 candidate Aguinaga to host a campaign fundraiser on 9/23

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Cecilia Aguinaga, Education, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Cecilia Aguinaga, a Santa Ana Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner, is hosting a fundraiser for her campaign for the Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Board of Education, Area 5, on Sep. 23, 2016, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Las Palomas Restaurant, located at 400 S. Euclid St., in Anaheim.

Aguinaga has been endorsed by the faculty association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. She also was recently endorsed by U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez.

Aguinaga has served as: Continue reading→

Neighborhood Hero Joshua Mauras is now running for the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 3

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Joshua Mauras, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

There are quite a few candidates running for Santa Ana’s Ward 3 this November. One of them, Joshua Mauras, recently launched his campaign website.

Mauras played football at Chapman University and he earned a law degree from the Chapman University School of Law. He and his wife are raising their family in Santa Ana’s Morrison Park Neighborhood. They have served on their Neighborhood Association’s welcoming committee, multiple event planning committees, and act as the Morrison Park liasons to the City. Mauras and his wife received the the 2016 Neighborhood Hero Award from the Communication Linkage Forum. Continue reading→

Steven Nguyen to launch his campaign for District 5 of the RSCCD on 9/30

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana, Steven Nguyen Leave a comment

Steven Nguyen is launching his campaign for District 5 of the Rancho Santiago Community College District with a campaign kickoff on Friday, Sep. 30, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Chapter One, located at 227 N. Broadway, in Santa Ana.

Nguyen was born in Santa Ana, CA, he is of Vietnamese, Mexican, and American heritage. His dad, Hugh Nguyen, is the O.C. Clerk-Recorder. Continue reading→

Sanchez endorses Aguinaga for Area 5 of the RSCCD’s Board of Trustees

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Cecilia Aguinaga, Democratic Party, Education, Loretta Sanchez, Orange County, Politics Leave a comment

Cecilia Aguinaga Gains Endorsement of US Representative Loretta Sanchez in Race for Rancho Santiago Community College District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cecilia Aguinaga
September 12, 2016 (714) 478-2918

Santa Ana, CA –United States Representative Loretta Sanchez has officially endorsed Cecilia Aguinaga in her race for a seat on the Rancho Santiago Community College District Board. The Congresswoman joins a bipartisan coalition of supporters who have already endorsed Aguinaga. Continue reading→

O.C. Sheriff Hutchens endorses Steven Nguyen for the RSCCD Board of Trustees

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Orange County, Politics, Sandra Hutchens, Santa Ana, Steven Nguyen Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2016

Contact: Scott Hart, (949) 230-6998

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF SANDRA HUTCHENS ENDORSES 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 Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

“I am proud to endorse Steven Nguyen for College Board,” said Hutchens. “He will ensure that the Rancho Santiago Community College District spend taxpayer dollars in the class room for our students.” Continue reading→