Progressives lead Santa Ana council races, eye new majority

Progressive candidates led three Santa Ana City Council races in preliminary returns Wednesday, putting them in position to replace the police union-backed majority, according to Voice of OC. Mayor Valerie Amezcua remained ahead in her reelection bid as ballot counting continued.

A new majority could change the Orange County city's approach to policing, immigrant-related issues and city finances. The potential shift comes as Santa Ana faces a structural budget deficit and scrutiny over police practices and City Hall transparency.

In Ward 4, immigrant rights advocate Sandra De Anda led Councilman Phil Bacerra by 612 votes, with roughly 54% to his 46%, Voice of OC reported. More than 8,400 votes had been counted in the race against Bacerra, a seven-year incumbent.

Planning Commission Chair Isuri Ramos led attorney Giovanni Chavez by more than 400 votes in Ward 6, roughly 54% to 46%. Chavez appeared to concede in a Wednesday evening Instagram post, according to Voice of OC. In Ward 2, Councilman Ben Vazquez held about 72% of the vote against realtor Selica Diaz.

If De Anda, Ramos and Vazquez win, they could form a majority with Councilman Johnathan Hernandez. Councilwoman Jessie Lopez could also remain on the council if she loses her race against Councilman David Penaloza for the 68th State Assembly District seat. Penaloza led that contest about 52% to 48%; the Ward 6 winner would succeed him on the council.

The police union had spent more than $240,000 on advertising and mailers supporting Amezcua, Bacerra, Chavez and Diaz as of Oct. 24, according to Voice of OC. It also spent about $33,000 opposing Vazquez and Ramos. OC Action and Chispa's political action committee financially supported De Anda and Ramos.

Amezcua led the mayoral field with about 46%, followed by attorney Dan Shimell at about 41% and city commissioner Dwayne Shipp at nearly 14%. In a Wednesday statement reported by Voice of OC, Santa Ana Police Officers Association President John Kachirisky said the union respected voters' decisions and was willing to work with the incoming council.

Voters also favored Measure N, with about 67% support in preliminary returns. The measure would keep a 1.5% sales tax increase in place indefinitely rather than allowing it to expire in 2039, according to Voice of OC.

The council's final balance remained unsettled as the OC Registrar of Voters continued counting ballots. The progressive candidates would need to hold their leads to secure the potential majority.