OC’s Three Largest Cities Led by Women

The DPOC put out an Instagram post yesterday congratulating Karen Bass as the first woman mayor of Los Angeles (and the third person of color) to hold that post; and they also offer congratulations to Ashleigh Aitken for her election as Mayor of Anaheim.

But left out of this post were Santa Ana Mayor-elect Valerie Amezcua and Re-elected Mayor of Irvine Farrah Khan.  With Anaheim, Santa Ana and Irvine, Orange County’s three largest cities are now led my women and two of them, women of color.  So by all means congratulate Karen Bass for her achievement in Los Angeles, but electing women to leadership positions, in particular women of color is old hat to OC.

Of the three, the term ahead will be challenging.  Depending on the final results of the Anaheim City Council race will determine how Aitken will be able to accomplish her agenda.

Khan now leads a four to one Democratic council majority but its a fractured majority at best.  Council member Larry Agran gains an ally on some issues, Tammy Kim will vote as what’s best for Tammy Kim, and there may be times Republican Mike Carroll is a swing vote.  My hope is that will a new term, there’s a new chance to forge a united front to move things forward in Irvine with expanding the council and district elections.  Even without district elections, Republicans finished third and fourth in Irvine giving Vice Mayor and defeated candidate Anthony Kuo something to ponder on his move not to expand the council as he takes in a basketball game at Portola High or a play at Northwood High.  But I also hope to win the Grand Prize in Powerball someday.

Amezcua has the strongest hand with allies that provide a majority on the city council and she has an even stronger will to push her agenda forward with votes to back it up.  Amezcua is also the perfect mayor to lead efforts by other cities to do their fair share in dealing with Santa Ana’s homeless crisis.