Santa Ana Mayor Amezcua Leads Three-Way Race; Separate Council Wards Also Report Results

SANTA ANA, November 4, 2026. The city’s mayoral election remains officially undecided pending certification, though the first Orange County returns put Valerie Amezcua ahead in a field of three. The reported vote totals are 18,830 for Amezcua (46.03%), 16,374 for Dan Shimell (40.03%), and 5,705 for Dwayne Shipp (13.95%).

Three ward elections

In Ward 2, Benjamin Vazquez has 3,608 votes against 1,394 for Selica Diaz. Ward 4 shows Sandra De Anda ahead with 4,164 votes, while Phil Bacerra has 3,631—a 533-vote difference. Ward 6 lists Isuri S. Ramos at 2,929 and Giovanni Chavez at 2,550, separated by 379 votes.

Do not confuse mayor and council ballots

The mayoral contest is citywide, but council ward elections cover their respective geographic areas. Comparing ward vote totals with citywide mayor totals is not a measure of personal popularity or overall turnout. Each office has its own electorate.

Orange County’s count is unofficial, and the election office plans a new update at 5 p.m. November 4. As it continues to process eligible ballots, margins may change. The county’s election portal is the authoritative source for later numbers and certified outcomes.

Sources: Orange County Registrar of Voters, November 3, 2026 General Election results; official reporting schedule. Numbers are the unofficial snapshot available November 4 before the scheduled 5 p.m. update.

For statewide context, visit California58’s election results hub.

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