SANTA ANA, Calif. — It was a historic election season for Santa Ana. The city elected a woman to the mayor’s office for the first time in its 153-year history.

Valerie Amezcua, who currently serves on the Santa Ana Unified School District board, was the only woman on the ballot. She defeated Jose Solorio, Sal Tinajero and Jesse Nestor to win the seat.

Amezcua ran a grassroots campaign, focused on bringing together members of the community to advocate for her.

Dozens of volunteers spent weekends campaigning for Amezcua.

Selica Diaz was among those knocking on doors.

“I think it’s actually time for Santa Ana to have a woman mayor,” said Diaz.

Diaz believes that electing Amezcua can inspire a new generation of young women interested in politics.

Amezcua ran a campaign centered on public safety and improving relationships between law enforcement and community members.

“The majority of our community appreciates our law enforcement, our firefighters, our first responders,” said Amezcua.

Current mayor of Santa Ana, Vicente Sarmiento, said there is more to focus on in the city than just public safety. Sarmiento said the city’s growing unhoused population is among the top concerns.

'“We have a population that is really impacted because they are low income,” said Sarmiento. “Their AMI, or average median income, is some of the lowest in the county.

For voters, this race was about more than just policy. Diaz said it sends a message to women across the city.

“It shows that women can conquer anything, and that anything in life is possible,” Diaz said.

Diaz said this isn’t the end of her political activism. She’ll continue to engage with the community to make it a safer place to live.