Ward 2, in the city’s west and south-central, features a sharp clash in backgrounds and philosophies.
Incumbent Benjamin Vazquez, a long-time educator with a master’s from UCLA and current Vice President of the Santa Ana Educators Association, brings a distinctive approach to City Hall. As former board chair of El Centro Cultural de Mexico, he emphasizes consensus leadership and highlights his record advocating from the dais for business liaisons and economic development staff. On the budget, he reasonably argues that the city “must live within our means and make sure every dollar delivers results,” though he voted to put Measure N on the ballot and continues to support rent control. Both of those stances give us heartburn.
Where Vazquez stands out most clearly is his willingness to confront the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, noting the union has become “overzealous in trying to influence City Hall” through massive campaign spending, recall threats, and labeling proponents of independent oversight as “anti-police.” Two years ago, the POA spent $70,000 trying to defeat his mayoral run, and last year he called on Attorney General Rob Bonta to review union health-benefit spending. His stance on surveillance technology is similarly firm: he opposes automated license plate readers over concerns that data could be shared with federal immigration authorities.
Challenger Selica Diaz brings a background in property management and real estate, along with two decades of community involvement.
On policy specifics, however, she remains elusive. On Measure N, she hedges, saying the sales tax increase should be “up to Santa Ana residents,” while noting the city should prepare for budget cuts if voters reject it. Which is obviously true, but short of an answer a candidate for City Council should have. On housing, she respects the “will of our residents” on rent control while aiming to balance tenant protections with property owner needs. In other words, for whatever disagreements we have with Vazquez, she functionally holds the same stances.
On public safety, she supports license plate readers with privacy safeguards and offers a mild commitment to work with law enforcement to identify “where improvements are needed.” Asked about the influence of the police union on City Hall, she responded, “I believe all labor unions have an important role in representing their members, and I value open communication and collaboration with them.”
We endorse Vazquez. While we disagree with him on many issues, meaningful reform in Santa Ana requires leaders willing to challenge the police union’s outsized political influence. Diaz offers traditional business credentials, but her reluctance to take clear stands on major council decisions and lack of concern about the police union makes her an unpersuasive alternative.