Alex Padilla, our endorsed candidate for Ward 4 on the Santa Ana City Council, is hosting a campaign reception on Thursday, Sep. 18, 2014, from 6 to 8 pm, at his family’s home, at 2542 S. Rene Dr., in Santa Ana.  Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido will be speaking at this event.

Tacos and refreshments will be provided courtesy of Mexicanisimo Restaurant, which his owned by another of our endorsed Council candidates, Mike Gonzalez, who is running for Ward 6.  RSVP here or call 714-724-6114.

Padilla was born, raised, and educated in Santa Ana schools, unlike Benavides, who grew up in East Los Angeles. Padilla has a degree in paralegal studies that he obtained while holding a full-time job in the legal field.

Padilla’s vision is to make the City of Santa Ana a place where businesses want to invest and create jobs for Santa Ana residents. He also believes that the city can do a better job of partnering with the Santa Ana Unified School District and Rancho Santiago College to increase the number of students achieving a college education. Lastly, Padilla stresses that we prioritize keeping our streets safe. He notes that while crime has decreased in recent years, this year there has been a significant spike in murders in our city.  While Benavides has referred to the increased gang violence as an “anomaly” Padilla believes that we must restore the SAPD’s gang unit, which the City Council unwisely disbanded, and give our police officers the tools needed to make our city safe again.