FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 19, 2016
Contact: Derek Humphrey, Cell: (951) 805-4167
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon Endorses Michele Martinez for Supervisor
Santa Ana, CA – California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced his endorsement of Michele Martinez’s campaign for Supervisor today.
In announcing his support, Rendon stated:
“Michele Martinez is a thoughtful, accessible, and proven leader for Orange County’s families. She understands the importance of listening to the needs of local communities and bringing diverse groups of people together in order to get things done. I am proud to announce my endorsement of her campaign for Orange County Supervisor.”
Anthony Rendon was elected to represent California’s 63rd Assembly District in 2012. On March 7, 2016, he was sworn-in as the 70th Speaker of the Assembly. Prior to serving in public office, Rendon worked as the Executive Director of Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. and as the Interim Executive Director of the California League of Conservation Voters. He served as an adjunct professor at California State University, Fullerton, in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice from 2001 to 2008.
Upon her first election in 2006, Michele Martinez became one of the youngest Councilmembers in Santa Ana’s history. She was subsequently re-elected in 2010 and 2014.Michele was instrumental in stabilizing the city budget by creating the first fiscal reserve policy. The general fund reserves have grown from 3 million to 41.8 million in the past four years.
Michele is most proud of championing the city’s first, five-year Strategic Plan and Economic Development Strategic Plan. Finally, Michele kept her promise and helped the city increase its open space by 22 acres, and
helped the city secure over 30 million dollars for active transportation to ensure pedestrian and bike safety, and improved and repaired nearly 300 miles of residential streets.
Michele currently serves as President of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization. Michele also represents the City of Santa Ana on several regional boards and is also the immediate Past-President of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
(NALEO).
Michele holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton, and she is a proud product of Santa Ana High School and Santa Ana College.
Michele placed first in a field of four candidates vying for Orange County’s 1st Supervisorial District in June’s Primary Election. Her strong Primary Election performance marked the first time in over twenty years that a challenger placed ahead of an incumbent Orange County Supervisor.