Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
City Councilwoman
Law Enforcement Contributions:
None as of 09/21/2026
Background:
Jessie Lopez has served on the Santa Ana City Council since 2020 where she has been a strong advocate for tenant protections, housing affordability, and police accountability. Specifically, she led the efforts to establish the city’s first Police Oversight Commission in 2022.
Public Safety Platform:
In her candidate questionnaire submitted to IJ Action, Lopez stated support for reforming sentencing enhancements, increasing judicial discretion, and eliminating mandatory minimums. She has also called for the abolition of ICE and the closure of immigrant detention centers, as well as the accelerated closure of state prisons in California and a reinvestment of those resources into “community-based alternatives, education, mental health care, housing, and violence prevention programs.”
IJ Action has endorsed Lopez due to her alignment on justice reform policy as well as her track record on the Santa Ana City Council of holding law enforcement accountable.
Website:
https://www.votejessielopez.com/
Political Party:
Democrat
Ballot Designation:
Councilmember/Dad/Businessman
Law Enforcement Contributions:
Background:
David Penaloza has served on the Santa Ana City Council since 2018, where he now serves as Mayor Pro Tem. In this role, he states on his campaign website that he helped hire 50 new police officers. He is a businessman by profession.
Public Safety Platform:
If elected, Penaloza promises to “Prioritize Public Safety” by helping to “secure the resources and tools our police and fire departments need.” He also touts his record on the Santa Ana City Council of creating new ordinances to ban street racing.
He is endorsed by several law enforcement agencies, such as the Anaheim Police Officers Association, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS), California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Garden Grove Police Officers Association, Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), and the Santa Ana Police Officers Association.
Website:
