Progressives are on track to flip Santa Ana’s ruling city council majority – one backed primarily by the police union – in a town that’s been plagued by questions about Flock cameras, police use of force and ICE raids.
According to Wednesday evening results from the OC Registrar of Voters, three out of the four police union-backed candidates, including a seven-year incumbent, could lose their election.
That means Mayor Valerie Amezcua could be surrounded by city council members who could take a critical look at her and police department policies.
In Ward 4, Immigrant Rights Advocate Sandra De
In Ward 4, Immigrant Rights Advocate Sandra De Anda grew her lead over Councilman Phil Bacerra, a seven-year incumbent whose campaign received heavy financial support from the Santa Ana Police Officers Association.
De Anda was in the lead with about 54% of the votes ahead of Bacerra who had about 46% of the vote – a difference of 612 votes. There were over 8,400 votes counted so far in the race as of Wednesday evening.
In Ward 6, Planning Commission Chair and Chispa Executive Director Isuri Ramos was in the lead with about 54% of the votes ahead of attorney Giovanni Chavez, another police union-backed candidate, who had about 46% of the vote – a difference of over 400 votes.
There were over 5,700 votes counted so far in the race as of Wednesday evening.
After publication of this article and Wednesday’s election
After publication of this article and Wednesday’s election results update, Chavez seemingly conceded from the race in an Instagram post.
“Although it was not the income we had hoped for, I wish my opponent success in serving Santa Ana residents,” he said in the Wednesday evening social media post.
The winner in that race will replace Councilman David Penaloza, an ally to Amezcua who is on track to win his bid for State Assembly with the backing of the police union against Councilwoman Jessie Lopez – a progressive backed politician that the police union unsuccessfully tried recalling in 2023.
Candidates like Ramos and De Anda are being
Candidates like Ramos and De Anda are being backed by progressive groups like OC Action that spent over $16,000 to support De Anda’s campaign and over $6,200 to support Ramos’ campaign, as of Oct. 24.
Amezcua – whose campaign’s received heavy financial support from the Santa Ana Police Officers Association – remained on track to win reelection – despite her initial 50% lead from Tuesday night dwindling down to about 46% Wednesday evening to two first-time candidates.
Her opponent, attorney Dan Shimell, trailed behind her with about 41% of the 43,900 votes counted as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Dwayne Shipp, a city commissioner who also ran
Dwayne Shipp, a city commissioner who also ran for mayor, had almost 14% of the votes. He seemingly conceded in an Instagram post Wednesday morning.
In Ward 2, Incumbent Ben Vazquez was in the lead with about 72% of the votes ahead of his opponent Selica Diaz, a realtor whose campaign was heavily supported by the police union, who had about 28% of the vote.
There were over 5,200 votes counted so far in the race.
The California Working Families Political Action Committee, a progressive group, spent nearly $10,000 to support Vazquez’s campaign.
The ballots are being counted after the police
The ballots are being counted after the police union this year have dropped over $240,000 on mailers and ads supporting Amezcua, Bacerra, Chavez and Diaz and spent about $33,000 on ads and mailers opposing Vazquez and Ramos, as of Oct. 24.
Santa Ana Police Officers Association President John Kachirisky said the union will respect the will of the voters when asked about their endorsed candidates trailing behind in their respective races in the current election results.
“We believe in democracy and respect the will of the voters. We are willing to work with everybody and continue to advocate for our members who provide public safety. We hope the incoming City Council members stick to their promise of support for working families and will meet with us in good faith to support our police officers and non-sworn employees,” said Kachirisky in a Wednesday email statement.
Will Santa Ana City Council Have a New Majority?
If current results hold, De Anda, Ramos
If current results hold, De Anda, Ramos and Vazquez could potentially form a new progressive majority with sitting Councilman Johnathan Hernandez – leaving Amezcua as the only elected official on the dais with police union backing.
Councilwoman Thai Viet Phan, who almost faced a recall backed by the police union in 2023, continues to serve on the dais. That recall effort failed because the union did not get enough signatures to put on the ballot.
Phan has often voted alongside police union-endorsed council members including voting to approve a three and half year contract in 2024 with the police union expected to cost the city $27 million and voting to approve two contracts for automated license plate readers last year.
If results hold simultaneously in the 68th State
If results hold simultaneously in the 68th State Assembly District between Lopez and Penaloza, Lopez would remain on the city council, joining the new progressive bloc.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Penaloza was in the lead with around 52% of the over 71,400 votes counted. Lopez trailed behind at about 48% – a difference of over 2,700 votes.
The potential majority flip comes amid recent scrutiny of city hall – including city officials refusing to answer questions about why they held a ribbon cutting for a new aquatic center featuring the entire city council weeks before the election when the pools were not open.
There have been demands for police accountability over
At the same time, there have been demands for police accountability over the viral violent arrest of resident Florentino Lopez and scrutiny over police arresting two immigrant advocates that were observing ICE agents last month, after the federal officers called for help.
It all comes while the city continues to face a structural deficit that some current elected officials hope a measure on the ballot will help address.
The initiative, dubbed Measure N, would if approved indefinitely keep a 1.5% sales tax increase that was supposed to decrease in a couple of years before ending in 2039.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, about 67%
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, about 67% of voters were in favor of Measure N. There were over 45,400 votes counted so far in the race.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him athelattar@voiceofoc.org.
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