Meet Valerie
Let’s keep fighting to move Santa Ana forward.
Valerie Amezcua is running for re-election to ensure that residents have a real seat at the table on municipal issues that directly impact their lives. She takes pride in being known as a bridge builder and a collaborator who understands the value of partnerships to the long-term success of our neighborhoods and community-at-large.
From establishing partnerships that support the long-term success of Santa Ana’s neighborhoods, educational institutions, to expanding workforce housing and reducing homelessness while working with first responders to implement practices that build trust with the community, Valerie will continue prioritize the health and safety of the people who live, operate businesses and access programs and services in Santa Ana.
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.
Prior to serving as Mayor, Valerie served as a member of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board since 2014 as the board’s President or Vice President for five of the past eight years. Over the course of her two terms on the School Board, she has implemented common sense reforms to improve graduation rates, increase campus safety and expand parent involvement.
She is a strong advocate for community health access and played a key role in the expansion of mental health services throughout SAUSD. She also led the effort to get additional training for SAUSD Police Officers to improve relationships with students and community members, implementing a positive community-based approach to campus safety.
Having achieved progress in her efforts on behalf of Santa Ana’s youth and now as Mayor of Santa Ana, Valerie continues to bring her leadership, her vision and her passion for public service to the work of city government. She is committed to creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for Orange County’s second most populated city.
Her family has an extensive history in Santa Ana, and she is a graduate of the University of La Verne, Valerie brings a wealth of experience to the work she does on behalf of Santa Ana. A 30- year veteran of the Orange County Probation Department, she retired from her position as a Supervising Probation Officer in 2017, allowing her to dedicate herself fully to the needs of the community.
From gang prevention, intervention and juvenile justice reform to domestic violence, organized crime and mediation, Valerie knows the importance of focusing on solutions. She is a community leader who understands what it means to serve, protect, and enhance quality of life for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable members of the community.
Active in the community, Valerie has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the OC Human Relations Commission, the Board of Directors for the National Hispanic Business Women’s Association, and the Early Prevention & Intervention Commission (EPIC) for the City of Santa Ana.
She was recognized by the Orange County Register as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Orange County (2017) and she has received numerous recognitions for her work and dedication for the community, including LULAC Woman of the Year, Congressional Recognition and Women of Distinction award.
Dedicated to family, and grateful for their unwavering support, Valerie is a proud mom to her adult son, Mike Melendrez and appreciating life every day with her husband Sam Marin.