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Mayoral election in Santa Ana, California (2024)

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← 2022
2024 Santa Ana elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: August 9, 2024
General election: November 5, 2024
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor
Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections)
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2024

The city of Santa Ana, California, held a general election for mayor on November 5, 2024. The filing deadline for this election was August 9, 2024.

As of 2024, Santa Ana had term limits for the position of mayor. Mayors could serve four two-year terms.

Elections

Click on the tabs below to show more information about those topics.

Candidates and results

General election

General election for Mayor of Santa Ana

Incumbent Valerie Amezcua defeated Ben Vazquez in the general election for Mayor of Santa Ana on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Valerie Amezcua
Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
59.9
 
44,785
Image of Ben Vazquez
Ben Vazquez (Nonpartisan)
 
40.1
 
29,948

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 74,733
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Additional elections on the ballot

See also: California elections, 2024

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March 5, 2024
November 5, 2024

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

As mayor one focus is securing a strong future for Santa Ana and building upon its numerous strengths, including its embrace of arts and culture, its rich and unique history, and the pride of its people, businesses and community organizations.

As mayor, I have implemented new ideas to address homelessness issues, foster economic development, and ensure public safety works with the community, I’ve worked with first responders to make neighborhoods safer and built stronger partnerships with our schools and youth programs.

As mayor , I am dedicated to responsive, equitable, and transparent governance and this characterizes my leadership, and I have been lauded for my effectiveness and accessibility as a public official, embodying a proactive “can-do” attitude to restore trust, hope, and unity in local government and civic life.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Quality of Life, Public Safety and Homelessness
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

I have several mentors and they hold many positions and titles. The best example I would like to follow and work hard to do so is my grandmother
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

One should have integrity, be ethical and honest. Also, learn to listen to voters and be sure to include them in the decision making for the city.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

I am a great connector, I collaborate well with others, I listen , I am open to learn and the work that I do benefits my constituents . I lead with passion and I am not afraid to address the hard decisions
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Core responsibilities of the mayor is to always remember that he or she works for the voters and should be responsive
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

I would like to leave the legacy that I was a mayor who was truly committed to my constituents.. That I served others well and that my community knew they were always a priority to me
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Giving birth to my son and I was 25 years old
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

File clerk with the JTPA program
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Who Moved My Cheese. It’s my favorite because change is good
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

I would want to be part of the Harry Potter story
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Family Affair by Mary J Blige
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

I believe we all have struggles because I am just like everyone else
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

It means everything to me. First of all, it means I work for the voters. Second, it means I must be available to the community and finally it means I address items/issues brought to m y attention .
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Work closely with city Manager and council on policy issues and budget.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

I love everything about my city , especially the diversity
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Quality of life , homelessness and public safety
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

It should be a positive relationship and we should work together
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

Positive relationship and working together.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

They should have a positive relationship to ensure the quality of life and public safety are a priority Beneficial for the entire city and visitors
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

* partial list : Congressman Correa, Senator Min, Senator Umberg, Senator Newman , Assemblyman Valencia, Assemblyman Lowenthal, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva, State Controller Malia Cohen, Councilmember Bacerra, Councilmember Penaloza, Mayor Aitken, Mayor Stephens, Mayor Jones, Santa Ana Police Officers Association, OC Sheriff’s, OC Fire Authority, Garden Grove Police Officers Association, Anaheim Police Officer Association
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ValerieAmezcua2024.jpeg

Valerie Amezcua (Nonpartisan)

The community should be part of the budget decision making. As mayor of Santa Ana we have held meetings with the community and asked for completion of a survey to ensure their priorities were included.



Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Valerie Amezcua

Image of Valerie Amezcua

WebsiteFacebook

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Recognized as a long-time collaborative leader and community builder, Valerie Amezcua achieved a historic milestone in 2022 by becoming the first female mayor in the City of Santa Ana's 153-year history. Mayor Amezcua was elected on a commitment to prioritize the quality of life, address the homelessness crisis, foster economic development, and ensure public safety works with the community as cornerstones of her administration. A true champion of our community, Mayor Amezcua believes we can accomplish more when we work together. She has established robust partnerships that support the long-term success of Santa Ana’s neighborhoods, educational institutions, and businesses. Her dedication to responsive, equitable, and transparent governance characterizes her leadership, and she has been lauded for her effectiveness and accessibility as a public official, embodying a proactive “can-do” attitude to restore trust, hope, and unity in local government and civic life. In addition to her extensive responsibilities within City government, Mayor Amezcua represents Santa Ana on numerous regional bodies, including the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, Orange County Water District, District 8 (OCWD), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Orange County Council of Government (OCCOG), Association of California Cities Orange County (ACCOC), Committee Chair of the ACCOC Housing and Homelessness, Discovery Cube and the U.S. Conference of Mayors."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

As mayor one focus is securing a strong future for Santa Ana and building upon its numerous strengths, including its embrace of arts and culture, its rich and unique history, and the pride of its people, businesses and community organizations.

As mayor, I have implemented new ideas to address homelessness issues, foster economic development, and ensure public safety works with the community, I’ve worked with first responders to make neighborhoods safer and built stronger partnerships with our schools and youth programs.

As mayor , I am dedicated to responsive, equitable, and transparent governance and this characterizes my leadership, and I have been lauded for my effectiveness and accessibility as a public official, embodying a proactive “can-do” attitude to restore trust, hope, and unity in local government and civic life.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Santa Ana in 2024.

Mayoral partisanship

See also: Partisanship in United States municipal elections (2024)

Thirty-four of the 100 largest cities held mayoral elections in 2024. Once mayors elected in 2024, assumed office Democrats held 65 top-100 mayoral offices, Republicans 25, Libertarians held one, independents held two, and nonpartisan mayors held four. Three mayors' partisan affiliations were unknown.

The following top 100 cities saw a change in mayoral partisan affiliation in 2024:[1]


What was at stake?

Report a story for this election

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Candidate survey

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About the city

See also: Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana is a city in California, and it is the county seat of Orange County. As of 2020, its population was 310,227.

City government

See also: Council-manager government

The city of Santa Ana uses a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council—which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body—appoints a chief executive called a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and implement the council's policy and legislative initiatives.[3]

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana California
Population 310,227 39,538,223
Land area (sq mi) 27 155,857
Race and ethnicity**
White 35.6% 56.1%
Black/African American 1% 5.7%
Asian 12.1% 14.8%
Native American 0.6% 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0.2% 0.4%
Other (single race) N/A 14.3%
Multiple 5.7% 7.9%
Hispanic/Latino 76% 39.1%
Education
High school graduation rate 61.3% 83.9%
College graduation rate 16.8% 34.7%
Income
Median household income $72,406 $78,672
Persons below poverty level 13.4% 12.6%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


See also

Santa Ana, California California Municipal government Other local coverage
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ As of January 7, 2025, the party affiliation of one mayor elected in 2024 was unknown. Ballotpedia contacted El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson's campaign in December to inquire about his party affiliation and had not yet received a reply. As incumbent Oscar Leeser was a Democrat, this decreased the net gain for Democrats from two to one.
  2. ↑ [San Antonio Express-News, "‘I’m a Democrat’: Mayor Ron Nirenberg campaigns for Kamala Harris, embraces party label," September 14, 2024]
  3. ↑ Santa Ana City Charter, Article III, Sec. 300
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