Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Eric Alderete has announced that he will campaign for Ward 3 on the Santa Ana City Council, which is currently held by Council Member Carlos Bustamante, who was arrested last week on a plethora of sex crime and public theft charges. Ward 3 opens up in November, although Bustamante could still run for reelection.
Alderete has already racked up a number of powerful endorsements including those of:
Pictured: Eric Alderete, Jim Gartner, Sal Tinajero and Sean Mill
State Senator Lou Correa
State Assemblyman Jose Solorio
Santa Ana Council Members Sal Tinajero, Vince Sarmiento and Michele Martinez
Santa Ana Planning Commissioners Sean Mill, Mario Turner, Jim Gartner, and Patrick Yrarrazaval
Santa Ana ETAC Commissioner Don Cribb
Santa Ana Housing and Redevelopment Commissioner Desi Reyes
Santa Ana Personnel Commissioner Isabela Rivera
Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ken Nguyen
Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustees Larry Labrado and John Hanna
Pictured: Vince Sarmiento, Ruben Smith, Eric Alderete and Sean Mill
Alderete was selected as an Orange County Mover and Shaker by OC Metro Magazine in Nov., 2010, which included this short bio:
Eric M Alderete, vice president and senior corporate counsel at U.S. Bank National Association, has been named to the Santa Ana College Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves as chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission.
Pictured: Eric Alderete, Jose Solorio, Vince Sarmiento and Mario Turner
Here is an excerpt from a Rancho Santiago Community College District press release issued after Aldrete joined the Santa Ana College Foundation’s Board of Directors:
“The Santa Ana College Foundation is honored to have outstanding local leaders such as Eric Alderete step up to support our students and the community,” said Erlinda J. Martinez, Ed.D., president of Santa Ana College and member of the Santa Ana College Foundation Board of Directors.
Alderete, who resides in Santa Ana with his wife and two children, brings 12 years of legal experience to the foundation. He currently serves as vice president and senior corporate counsel at U.S. Bank National Association where he handles and manages a wide range of litigation. Previously, he was an associate with the law firms Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp and Fulbright & Jaworski specializing in copyright and trademark litigation.
He is currently chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission. In addition, he serves on the board of directors of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, and previously served as a commissioner for the California Small Business Board.
Alderete, who completed his general education requirements in several California community colleges, received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, and his master’s in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute.
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In related news I am earing that Santa Ana Council Members Michele Martinez, Sal Tinajero, and Vince Sarmiento are all calling for Bustamante’s resignation. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and Santa Ana Council Member David Benavides apparently are sticking with Bustamante. And Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez is sitting this one out as she is a Deputy District Attorney and her agency is prosecuting Bustamante.
Benavides and Bustamante have been friends for years. In fact they flew together to Washington D.C. some years ago when Republican President George W. Bush invited them to attend one of his Cinco de Mayo events.
You can email Benavides here if you would like to ask him to press for Bustamante’s resignation. And you can email Pulido here.
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions.
When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions.
When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
20 thoughts on “Planning Commissioner Alderete to run for Bustamante’s City Council seat”
“Eric M Alderete, vice president and senior corporate counsel at U.S. Bank National Association, has been named to the Santa Ana College Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves as chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission”…….. Hmmmmmm
Interesting! — No accomplishments listed.
However, being endorsed by, and seen in the company of the above questionable characters, I do not see him as an positive asset to the City of Santa Ana.
Another Lawyer on the Council? Really? It’s nice that he has rounded up a fine list of politicos to back him but what about the resident/voters of Santa Ana? Does anyone outside of the political world know him?
As for Bustamante, I too hope he will resign but I doubt he will. History says he will not and there are good reasons why.
1) Ted Moreno was arrested, ran again for his council seat and got re-elected while waiting for his trail.
2) Resigning sends a message to potential jurors that he is guilty of something.
3) The council pays him over $1,000/month and full medical. He also gets pay from the Toll Road boards he sits on. He’s going to need every penny he can get for his lawyers. Why would he quit and force his family on to a COBRA plan?
4) Why would he want to do his “friends” on the council any favors? He understands they would like to appoint Alderete but he’s not quite as interested in pleasing them today as he might have been last week at this time.
Art, I take your advice seriously so if you say you are voting for Aldente, I’ll take a good look.
Good points. It is hard to say what Bustamante will do. I would advise him to quit the Council and enter rehab as soon as he can.
As for Eric, he is a good guy – a family man and someone who is down to earth. He has my respect. I think he would do a fine job on our Council, and while he is a lawyer he works for a bank so at least he isn’t another government worker.
Art, if you think he’s the man, then he has my vote and I’ll help introduce him to the COMMLINK board. He’s going to need to branch out beyond the political people. Do you have his web address?
Let me correct a misstatement made by you. Ted Moreno was not under indictment when he was re-elected in a landslide over Jose Solorio. The charges against Ted stemmed from his fundraising efforts during that race.
He was however under indictment when he ran for Mayor against Miguel Pulido and Miguel handily won that election. Most folks believe that if Ted hadn’t gotten into his legal troubles he would’ve given Pulido a run for his money.
In regards to Eric, I know him well from our time serving together on the Planning Commission and he will make a great addition to the city council.
“In regards to Eric, I know him well from our time serving together on the Planning Commission and he will make a great addition to the city council”……. Hmmmmmm
Sure!
Your knowledge of Eric, Mill, makes me sleep much easier tonight.
I wonder how did he got to the Planning Commission?
Thank you Mr. Mill. Councilman Moreno had a good heart and might be our Mayor today if not for a couple of mis-steps along the way. We can only imagine what might have been. He loved this city and I so wanted his friend Ana Vasquez to make the City Council. I worked with her at Stater Brothers and she was so nice and hardworking.
Has Mayor Pulido also endorsed Mr. Eric? What about Al Amezqua and SACRED? Does he have the support of School Boardmember Palacio? John Raya? John Acosta? Mike Garcia? Armando Ramirez? Congresswoman Sanchez? Former Sen. Dunn? The Police Union? The Santa Ana Chamber? COMMLINK? SAMSON?
Dear Art,
Thank you for being the ONLY blog in the O.C. reporting on Santa Ana Politics. Can you find out when the opening and closing dates for filing for Santa Ana City Council are? If Mr. Bustamante does not run, will that extend the filing date for Ward 3 and if so how long? If Bustamante does file, will there be a re-call campaign? What if his twin brother ALfonso Bustamante runs? Won’t his name I.D. help him maybe be a contender since most voters are not aware of what’s up in politics? Will Santa Ana Blog be holding debates or just COMMLINK and OCCO and League of Female Voters?
Admin,
I believe Scot Baugh, Matthew Cunningham, Jon Fleischman, Manny and his boy David Padilla and other GOP leaders were the brain trust behind the various Carlos Bustamante campaigns for Santa Ana city Council and Orange County Supervisor. Have you seen an apology from them anywhere or any mention of their rising stars fall from grace? How will their most recently endorsed GOP candidate Charles Hart (who seems like a very nice fellow by the way and a real straight shooter) avoid being labled an OC GOP tool? Thanks for keeping it real here at New Santa Ana.
I believe that people should take a closer look at Charles Hart’s involvement with the Orange County Youth Commission. If the rumors on the streets are true Hart would be best served by staying out of this race.
Art, don’t you think the D.A. should interview former Councilwoman Alberta Christy and see if perhaps Carlos at any time forced himself upon her? Ms. Christy is also a woman of color, and has many of the physical attributes which appear to have drawn Bustamante to the woman who are victims. It’s so sad that good women like Alberta might have been subject to his untoward advances. She is a church going widow who deserves nothing but respect. Having known Alberta from the banking industry, I can assure your readers that she would never have fallen for his Casanova ways!
P.S. Would Mr. Hart Attack please explain his comments? I met Mr. Hart at a recent neighborhood event and found him to be a gentleman and a scholar.
Hart is a member of the Orange County Youth Commission, which was started by Rosie Avila. A mother called me the other day to complain that she talked to Hart about a boxing coach who was allowing kids to drink beer, and other such issues. Apparently Hart and a lawyer met with her and pretty much punted the issue, but the mother turned over pictorial evidence to the SAPD.
I have not written about this because it is the subject of an ongoing SAPD investigation. But community members have been writing about this on Facebook and in OC Register comments, and now here too.
I am myself not a fan of Hart for two reasons. One, he has hinted at being anti-Latino (pining for the old Santa Ana, which of course is when there were less Latinos here) and two, he is another government worker who talks about being a tough Republican but is getting lots of government worker benefits.
“I am myself not a fan of Hart for two reasons. One, he has hinted at being anti-Latino (pining for the old Santa Ana, which of course is when there were less Latinos here)”……. Hmmmmmm
“Eric M Alderete, vice president and senior corporate counsel at U.S. Bank National Association, has been named to the Santa Ana College Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves as chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission”…….. Hmmmmmm
Interesting! — No accomplishments listed.
However, being endorsed by, and seen in the company of the above questionable characters, I do not see him as an positive asset to the City of Santa Ana.
Another Lawyer on the Council? Really? It’s nice that he has rounded up a fine list of politicos to back him but what about the resident/voters of Santa Ana? Does anyone outside of the political world know him?
As for Bustamante, I too hope he will resign but I doubt he will. History says he will not and there are good reasons why.
1) Ted Moreno was arrested, ran again for his council seat and got re-elected while waiting for his trail.
2) Resigning sends a message to potential jurors that he is guilty of something.
3) The council pays him over $1,000/month and full medical. He also gets pay from the Toll Road boards he sits on. He’s going to need every penny he can get for his lawyers. Why would he quit and force his family on to a COBRA plan?
4) Why would he want to do his “friends” on the council any favors? He understands they would like to appoint Alderete but he’s not quite as interested in pleasing them today as he might have been last week at this time.
Art, I take your advice seriously so if you say you are voting for Aldente, I’ll take a good look.
Good points. It is hard to say what Bustamante will do. I would advise him to quit the Council and enter rehab as soon as he can.
As for Eric, he is a good guy – a family man and someone who is down to earth. He has my respect. I think he would do a fine job on our Council, and while he is a lawyer he works for a bank so at least he isn’t another government worker.
Art, if you think he’s the man, then he has my vote and I’ll help introduce him to the COMMLINK board. He’s going to need to branch out beyond the political people. Do you have his web address?
You are right about that. He will have to ramp up quickly as November is just a few months away. His contact info is here: http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/199565. But his email is not listed.
“Art, if you think he’s the man, then he has my vote and I’ll help introduce him to the COMMLINK board”…….. Hmmmm
I too like to trust Art but never his political picks because Art has strong Pro-Latino taste.
Art would endorse Cocker Spaniel just because of Latino name.
Hey my dog is a Jack Russell/Weenie mix! (I like to call him a Jack Weenie).
Oscar,
Let me correct a misstatement made by you. Ted Moreno was not under indictment when he was re-elected in a landslide over Jose Solorio. The charges against Ted stemmed from his fundraising efforts during that race.
He was however under indictment when he ran for Mayor against Miguel Pulido and Miguel handily won that election. Most folks believe that if Ted hadn’t gotten into his legal troubles he would’ve given Pulido a run for his money.
In regards to Eric, I know him well from our time serving together on the Planning Commission and he will make a great addition to the city council.
“In regards to Eric, I know him well from our time serving together on the Planning Commission and he will make a great addition to the city council”……. Hmmmmmm
Sure!
Your knowledge of Eric, Mill, makes me sleep much easier tonight.
I wonder how did he got to the Planning Commission?
“Hey my dog is a Jack Russell/Weenie mix! (I like to call him a Jack Weenie)”…….. Hmmmmmm
Obviously he is not the Mexican Chihuahua and that is why you heave never endorsed him to any political office.
Clear discrimination.
Thank you Mr. Mill. Councilman Moreno had a good heart and might be our Mayor today if not for a couple of mis-steps along the way. We can only imagine what might have been. He loved this city and I so wanted his friend Ana Vasquez to make the City Council. I worked with her at Stater Brothers and she was so nice and hardworking.
Has Mayor Pulido also endorsed Mr. Eric? What about Al Amezqua and SACRED? Does he have the support of School Boardmember Palacio? John Raya? John Acosta? Mike Garcia? Armando Ramirez? Congresswoman Sanchez? Former Sen. Dunn? The Police Union? The Santa Ana Chamber? COMMLINK? SAMSON?
Pulido appears to be standing with Bustamante.
“Pulido appears to be standing with Bustamante”…….. Hmmmmmmmm
I wonder why?
There is always a dark side to everlasting.
Dear Art,
Thank you for being the ONLY blog in the O.C. reporting on Santa Ana Politics. Can you find out when the opening and closing dates for filing for Santa Ana City Council are? If Mr. Bustamante does not run, will that extend the filing date for Ward 3 and if so how long? If Bustamante does file, will there be a re-call campaign? What if his twin brother ALfonso Bustamante runs? Won’t his name I.D. help him maybe be a contender since most voters are not aware of what’s up in politics? Will Santa Ana Blog be holding debates or just COMMLINK and OCCO and League of Female Voters?
You are most welcome.
Go to the City if Santa Ana’s website and see the city clerk’s page. The filing info should be there.
I don’t plan to hold debates but will definitely cover all the candidates.
Admin,
I believe Scot Baugh, Matthew Cunningham, Jon Fleischman, Manny and his boy David Padilla and other GOP leaders were the brain trust behind the various Carlos Bustamante campaigns for Santa Ana city Council and Orange County Supervisor. Have you seen an apology from them anywhere or any mention of their rising stars fall from grace? How will their most recently endorsed GOP candidate Charles Hart (who seems like a very nice fellow by the way and a real straight shooter) avoid being labled an OC GOP tool? Thanks for keeping it real here at New Santa Ana.
I believe that people should take a closer look at Charles Hart’s involvement with the Orange County Youth Commission. If the rumors on the streets are true Hart would be best served by staying out of this race.
Art, don’t you think the D.A. should interview former Councilwoman Alberta Christy and see if perhaps Carlos at any time forced himself upon her? Ms. Christy is also a woman of color, and has many of the physical attributes which appear to have drawn Bustamante to the woman who are victims. It’s so sad that good women like Alberta might have been subject to his untoward advances. She is a church going widow who deserves nothing but respect. Having known Alberta from the banking industry, I can assure your readers that she would never have fallen for his Casanova ways!
P.S. Would Mr. Hart Attack please explain his comments? I met Mr. Hart at a recent neighborhood event and found him to be a gentleman and a scholar.
Hart is a member of the Orange County Youth Commission, which was started by Rosie Avila. A mother called me the other day to complain that she talked to Hart about a boxing coach who was allowing kids to drink beer, and other such issues. Apparently Hart and a lawyer met with her and pretty much punted the issue, but the mother turned over pictorial evidence to the SAPD.
I have not written about this because it is the subject of an ongoing SAPD investigation. But community members have been writing about this on Facebook and in OC Register comments, and now here too.
I am myself not a fan of Hart for two reasons. One, he has hinted at being anti-Latino (pining for the old Santa Ana, which of course is when there were less Latinos here) and two, he is another government worker who talks about being a tough Republican but is getting lots of government worker benefits.
“I am myself not a fan of Hart for two reasons. One, he has hinted at being anti-Latino (pining for the old Santa Ana, which of course is when there were less Latinos here)”……. Hmmmmmm
Obviously you are not a fan of mine too….. Huh?