Mayor Amezcua, Mayor Pro Tem Phan, Councilmember Lopez and Councilmember Hernandez were re-elected on Nov. 5.
SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana celebrated the installation of the Mayor and three City Councilmembers who took the oath of office on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Santa Ana City Hall.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua, Mayor Pro Tem Thai Viet Phan representing Ward 1, Councilmember Jessie Lopez representing Ward 3, and Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez representing Ward 5 were all re-elected to serve second terms in the Nov. 5 General Municipal Election.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua made history in 2022 as the first female mayor of Santa Ana in its 153 years. Known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to community building, she focuses on improving quality of life, addressing homelessness, fostering economic development, and ensuring public safety. She previously served on the Santa Ana Unified School District Board, and served over 30 years in public service, including as a Supervising Probation Officer specializing in gang suppression and domestic violence intervention. Mayor Amezcua is proud to have the support of her father, former Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Alfredo Amezcua; her husband, Sam Marin; and her son, Michael Melendrez and daughter Natassia Knutson.
“Santa Ana is a city where energy meets opportunity, where determination turns vision into action. From our vibrant neighborhoods to our thriving businesses, this is a place where we work, play, pray, and grow together,” Mayor Amezcua said. “In my first term as Mayor, we made significant strides — expanding our police force, improving public safety, rebuilding infrastructure, and fostering new opportunities for our youth. As I enter my second term, I remain committed to prioritizing the quality of life for our residents, ensuring Santa Ana is a place where families can thrive, our community can flourish, and together, we will continue to build a better future.”
Read more about Mayor Amezcua.
Mayor Pro Tem Phan was the first Vietnamese American and first Asian woman to serve on the Santa Ana City Council when she was elected in 2020. As a first-generation Vietnamese refugee and Section 8 Housing Voucher beneficiary, she was the first in her family to attend college, ultimately obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from UCLA and a dual Law/Master of Public Policy degree from USC. Today, she works as a city attorney, providing legal advice and counsel to cities and other public agencies throughout Southern California.
“I am honored to be re-elected to serve Santa Ana residents. I will always be committed to championing policies that support families, that improve public safety, and that grow our economy,” Mayor Pro Tem Phan said. “By centering the needs of our families and businesses rather than outside interests and working collaboratively with our partners, we will continue to make Santa Ana an even better place to live and work.”
Read more about Mayor Pro Tem Phan.
Born and raised in Santa Ana, Councilmember Lopez takes immense pride in her deep roots in the community. She attended the city’s public schools and continues to live and work in the place she has always called home. First elected in 2020, she is proud and humbled to be reelected on a platform of equity and transparency. Councilmember Lopez passionately champions working families, quality education, affordable housing, and community safety. Dedicated to building a brighter and more inclusive future for all, she remains a tireless advocate for the people of Santa Ana.
“I want to thank our Ward 3 families and local businesses for their unwavering support and for trusting me once again with their vote. I am deeply honored to continue serving my hometown and am prepared to build on the progress we’ve made over the past four years. Together, we will continue to invest in our local infrastructure, improve our parks, and support our youth. As your Ward 3 representative, I will continue being a thoughtful, responsive leader who listens to the concerns of my constituents. Together, we will create a brighter, more inclusive, and representative city for all.”
Read more about Councilmember Lopez.
First elected in 2020, Councilmember Hernandez is a lifelong resident of the Artesia Pilar neighborhood. His family has called Santa Ana home for five generations. A graduate of SAUSD schools with over 10 years of experience serving as a community health worker, he has served children in the foster system with mental health services and family wraparound services. He previously worked in the field of re-entry and gang prevention. Councilmember Hernandez was instrumental in recognizing August as Chicano Heritage Month and introducing the City’s Chicano Heritage Festival. He also advocated for parks expansion and investment in our public libraries.
“I am humbled and honored to have been re-elected by the people of Santa Ana. I’d like to begin by thanking God. In serving the people, I have led with Christ in my heart,” Councilmember Hernandez said. “I am proud to have been overwhelmingly re-elected for a second term on the Santa Ana City Council. As Councilmember, I have led efforts to pass public policy that improves the quality of life for all of our residents. Whether it be policies like rent control, affordable housing, or hazard pay during the COVID pandemic, my leadership is a reflection of my neighbors. Santa Ana deserves more than a fighting chance, they deserve progress. As your Councilmember, I am committed to moving our City forward and celebrating all of what is Santa Ana. Sí se puede.”
Read more about Councilmember Hernandez.
Under the City Charter, the Mayor serves a two-year term while Councilmembers serve four-year terms. During Tuesday’s special meeting, the City Council also adopted a resolution declaring the election results.
Watch the Dec. 10 City Council special meeting on the City’s YouTube channel here.
Watch the meeting video in Spanish here.
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About Santa Ana
Santa Ana is downtown for the world-famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat, headquarters to national corporations including a Fortune 500 company, and home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. Over 1,700 City of Santa Ana employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org.