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Nelida Mendoza
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the official's last term in office covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Rancho Santiago Community College District District 3
Santa Ana City Council Ward 6
Successor: David Penaloza
Predecessor: Cecilia Iglesias
Orange County Water District District 8
Successor: Valerie Amezcua
Santa Ana City Council Ward 2
Successor: Ben Vazquez
Predecessor: David Penaloza
Nelida Mendoza was a member of the Santa Ana City Council in California, representing Ward 2. She assumed office on April 5, 2022. She left office on December 12, 2022.
Mendoza ran for election to the Rancho Santiago Community College District to represent District 3 in California. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Mendoza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Nelida Mendoza's career experience includes working as a teacher and aparalegal. She served in the U.S. Army from 1977 to 1985. Mendoza earned an associate degree from Santa Ana College in 1983, a bachelor's degree from the California State University, Fullerton in 1997, and a graduate degree from the California State University, Fullerton in 2005.[1]
Mendoza has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- OC Mosquito & Vector Control District, Santa Ana representative
- Ebell Club of Santa Ana Valley
- United Mexican American Veterans Association
- American Legion Post 132
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Orange County, California (2024)
General election
General election for Rancho Santiago Community College District District 3
Cecilia Iglesias defeated Nelida Mendoza, Andrew Linares, and Audrey Noji in the general election for Rancho Santiago Community College District District 3 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Cecilia Iglesias (Nonpartisan)  | 45.4 | 8,464 |
 | Nelida Mendoza (Nonpartisan) | 22.9 | 4,272 | |
| Andrew Linares (Nonpartisan) | 17.9 | 3,325 | ||
 | Audrey Noji (Nonpartisan) | 13.8 | 2,564 | |
| Total votes: 18,625 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Mendoza's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mendoza in this election.
2022
See also: City elections in Santa Ana, California (2022)
General election
General election for Santa Ana City Council Ward 2
Ben Vazquez defeated incumbent Nelida Mendoza in the general election for Santa Ana City Council Ward 2 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ben Vazquez (Nonpartisan) | 50.9 | 2,235 |
| Nelida Mendoza (Nonpartisan) | 49.1 | 2,155 | |
| Total votes: 4,390 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
Cecilia Iglesias was subject to a recall election on May 19, 2020.
Cecilia Iglesias recall, 2020
Cecilia Iglesias lost the Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 recall election on May 19, 2020.
Recall Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✖ | Yes |
55.6
|
11,876 | ||
No |
44.4
|
9,475 | |||
Total Votes |
21,351 | ||||
|
|
Nelida Mendoza ran in a May 19 special general election to replace Cecilia Iglesias as the Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 councilmember.
General election
Special general election for Santa Ana City Council Ward 6
Nelida Mendoza defeated Thai Viet Phan and Angie Rosario Cano in the special general election for Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 on May 19, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Nelida Mendoza (Nonpartisan) | 43.2 | 7,514 |
 | Thai Viet Phan (Nonpartisan) | 35.9 | 6,241 | |
 | Angie Rosario Cano (Nonpartisan) | 20.9 | 3,635 | |
| Total votes: 17,390 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Santa Ana City Council Ward 6
Cecilia Iglesias defeated Nelida Mendoza and Mirna Velasquez in the general election for Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cecilia Iglesias (Nonpartisan) | 39.1 | 21,077 |
| Nelida Mendoza (Nonpartisan) | 34.0 | 18,363 | |
 | Mirna Velasquez (Nonpartisan) | 26.9 | 14,534 | |
| Total votes: 53,974 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
| Rancho Santiago Community College District, District 3 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Nelida Mendoza Yanez Incumbent |
55.06% | 8,243 |
| Antonio Tapia | 22.88% | 3,426 |
| Thomas Anthony Gordon | 22.06% | 3,303 |
| Total Votes | 14,972 | |
| Source: Orange County, "2016 General Election Unofficial Results," accessed November 9, 2016 | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Nelida Mendoza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mendoza's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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The Mendoza family immigrated to the US in 1965 when I was a child for the sole purpose of living a better life. Santa Ana has been my home since then with the exception of the time I served my country in the US Army and was stationed in other parts of the world. My parents understood the value of education to succeed in life and to achieve the American Dream. I am a strong advocate for higher education and specifically at the community college level. I earned my associate’s degree at Santa Ana College, then transferred to Cal State Fullerton where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Sociology and then a Master's in Public Administration. My experience and successful results in educating our youth are strong indicators of my passion for educational opportunites. I worked as a Paralegal for the County of Orange, then a high school teacher for Santa Ana Unified School District. As a former Trustee, I delivered positive results to educate our students, secure partnerships with local businesses and labor organization. I celebrated significant accomplishments such as SAC's Bachelor's Degree and Santiago Canyon's Veterans/Apprenticeship Programs. My professional Experience: Vice President and Trustee for Rancho Santiago Community College District (2012-2020); Trustee for OC Mosquito & Vector Control District; Former Santa Ana Councilmember; Retired Teacher, (SAUSD); Sergeant US Army; Administrative Assistant City Manager’s Office and Personnel, Court Clerk & Paralegal.
- I advocate for affordable and high-quality college education to equip students to compete for high -wage jobs. I have delivered positive results to educate our students for successful careers and have celebrated significant accomplishments such as SAC’s Bachelor’s Degree program and SCC’s Veterans/Apprenticeship Programs. All the new buildings and renovations at each campus have occurred due to my past leadership on the board.
- My goals are to inspire high school graduates to pursue college degrees, increase the transfer rate to four-year universities. Focus resources on classroom instruction, press state legislators to fully fund community colleges, fight to preserve job training programs, and continue providing English language and citizenship classes.
- I am to inspire our K-12 and adult students to pursue college and career education, providing tools for them to achieve professions that offer living wages and optimal working conditions. I support the expansion of job training programs, investment of resources for college classroom instruction, school choice, and ensure the continuation of English language and citizenship classes at Centennial and Orange Education Center.
I am interested and personally passionate about equal and accessible college education for everyone, but specifically that undocumented students have opportunity to work in professional high-paying jobs once they have graduated. I am also passionate about the issue of finding a way that undocumented students may gain documented status through their educational foundation, contributing to society and volunteering their time to help others in similar circumstance.
In fourth grade I wrote a book report that made an impact on me. I learned about an African American woman hero who lived in the 1800’s. Ms. Tubman has made a long-lasting impression on me. I look up to Harriet Tubman. She was part of the Underground Railroad wherein she risked her life and livelihood to protect run away slaves. That’s a woman hero who demonstrated the epitome of giving for her community.
The film that best describes my political philosophy is the 1982 movie entitled “Ghandi”. This was about Mahatma Ghandi’s life and legacy. Here is an ordinary man who devoted his entire life to right the wrong of an abusive government system. I specially relate to Ghandi’s quiet, purposeful, and non-violent ways of accomplishing the results that would eventually bring equality, democracy and peace to the people of India. My political philosophy is reflected in this movie because Ghandi was an honest, unselfish, and caring person. He was not interested in in self-grandeur, wealth, popularity, or being famous. Rather, he was genuine in his pursuit of a just and equal government system to treat its citizens with respect, dignity and equality.
Compassion, transparency, and ethics are the most important characteristics an elected official can have. These are many more characteristics are part of me. My public service goes hand in hand with being honest, compassionate and ethical in all that I do, which includes my personal life and political business.
I am ethical, honest, reliable, and work hard to bring resources to my constituents. I believe in equality in all aspects of life. I treat everyone equally no matter their race, gender, culture, age or sexual orientation. I do not judge people on color, but rather on their merits. My goal to be the best Trustee is sincere.
The core responsibility of an RSCCD Trustee is to ensure public funds are utilized for the rightful and legal purposes. With these funds, a Trustee must be cognizant where such funds are to be utilized to maximize student resources. In addition, Trustees should ensure that their district is represented rightfully. The Trustee is the face of his/her community and as such must be inclusive of all constitutes.
My legacy is that of building a strong foundation built on education as a primary path for a successful life and giving back to your community.
I experienced several historical events that happened in my lifetime and made an impact. The first was at eight years of age, when me and my family were authorized by the U.S. Immigration Department to cross the border and live in the land of “milk and honey”. The second event was when I raised my right hand in oath to protect and defend my country serving in the U.S. Army. The third historical collective events were being blessed with the miracle of giving birth to three amazing children, of who are now in the medical field saving lives. The fourth historical collective events are walking across the stage in receipt of the various educational degrees that I earned throughout my life. My fifth historical event is in the present and continues through the end of my life—utilizing the skills, talents and experiences I earned throughout my life and using those to be a servant of the public.
During my summer breaks from junior high school, my older siblings and I worked in the fields picking tomatoes and strawberries. I worked in the fields four summers. Dad worked two jobs and mother stayed home to cook, clean and keep an eye on my younger siblings. I am the middle child of nine children. I gave some of my little earnings to my mother to help for basic necessities and the rest for school supplies. I learned that field work is back-breaking, physically demanding and low-paying. This experience made me, and my siblings work harder to earn our educational degrees. I was the first in my family to attend college. The Mendoza family is now educationally focused. I have begun a legacy of college-minded individuals. This is proven with my own immediate family of three successful college-educated children: A firefighter, a bio-medical scientist and a medical doctor. My children are proof that early access to a supportive educational environment are factors contributing to successful and professional careers.
I have several favorite books because they reflect the adversities women and minorities have faced in merely asserting basic human rights to live peacefully, to be educated equally and to be treated with respect. The story is similar for thousands of true-life women who overcame the challenges of discrimination and gender biases to succeed in their field. These women changed history and are role models. One book is titled, “My Beloved Country” by Sonia Sotomayor who earned her place as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. My favorite quote from Justice Sotomayor is, “Until we get equality in education, we won’t have an equal society.”
Wonder Woman because my purpose is to use my strength, skills, talents and experience to serve for the good of my community.
America the Beautiful because it describes the beauty of our country. It brings tears just feeling the goose bumps as I see the images the song is reflecting. Another song that often gets stuck in my head is the Star Spangled Banner because I am an American patriot and I feel the pain of those soldiers who gave their life so that I can live in the "land of the free"!
I struggle with immigration issues. It is frustrating to hear some immigrants’ negative comments about our country. I am an immigrant myself and appreciate my country’s welcoming arms in resources to help my family get started on our goal to the American Dream. I am proud to be an American of Mexican descent.
Why did the teacher write on the window?
-She wanted to make sure her lesson was clear.
-She wanted to make sure her lesson was clear.
Loretta Sanchez, Former Congressmember;John
Dr. Barry Resnick, Former President Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (FARSCCD); Dr. Narges Rabi-Rakin, Former President Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District(FARSCCD);Professor Jim Isbell, Former Senate President and Former Vice President Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District(FARSCCD); Francisco Barragan, CPA, CIA : Former Commander United Mexican American Veterans Assn (UMAVA) Tony Bacalot, US Army Veteran: Director American Veterans United and Mentor Veterans Treatment Court;Dr. Lewis Bratcher, Former Acting Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Superintendent/principal and retired teacher
Dr. Barry Resnick, Former President Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (FARSCCD); Dr. Narges Rabi-Rakin, Former President Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District(FARSCCD);Professor Jim Isbell, Former Senate President and Former Vice President Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District(FARSCCD); Francisco Barragan, CPA, CIA : Former Commander United Mexican American Veterans Assn (UMAVA) Tony Bacalot, US Army Veteran: Director American Veterans United and Mentor Veterans Treatment Court;Dr. Lewis Bratcher, Former Acting Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Superintendent/principal and retired teacher
Financial transparency and government accountability are of utmost importance in my philosophy. My patriotism and civic duty are motivators for me to run for office. It is difficult to run a successful campaign. The work is never-ending, but I do not mind rolling up my sleeves and digging deep for my community’s development. I come from humble beginnings. What little money we had growing up, my parents allocated wisely and shared our resources with others. Thus, my heart, my mind, and my soul are open for sharing my good fortune of experience and knowledge with any community in need. My characteristics translate to my view on financial transparency and government accountability. I care deeply about utilizing public funds wisely. I want to ensure the public has access to view how their tax money is being spent. I want the public to hold me responsible for accountability and to gain their trust that I am a good steward of their tax monies.
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.
2022
Nelida Mendoza did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Rancho Santiago Community College District District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by David Penaloza |
Santa Ana City Council Ward 2 2022-2022 |
Succeeded by Ben Vazquez |
| Preceded by - |
Orange County Water District District 8 2021-2022 |
Succeeded by Valerie Amezcua |
| Preceded by Cecilia Iglesias |
Santa Ana City Council Ward 6 2020-2022 |
Succeeded by David Penaloza |
| Preceded by - |
Rancho Santiago Community College District District 3 -2020 |
Succeeded by - |
