Local politics has become a family affair for these Latino lawmakers

Latino political success in the San Joaquín Valley – judging by how many were elected to major local offices – did not happen overnight.

In 1971, Al Villa became the first Latino elected to the Fresno City Council.

In 1972, Armando O. Rodríguez was the first Latino ever elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

In 1996, Cruz M. Bustamante was the second-ever Latino elected to the state Assembly from the San Joaquín Valley.

A generation later, Latinos have not only taken office at the state and local levels, but family members have begun to make it a family affair.

That was on display Thursday when Annalisa Perea was sworn in as the District 1 representative on the Fresno City Council, following in the footsteps of her father and brother.

After winning outright during the June primary against three other challengers, Annalisa noted she is her own person and shouldn’t be lumped in with the politics of her father and brother.

“I’m my own person. I’m very proud of my family’s legacy in public service, but my parents raised us to be independent thinkers and to always do what we think is best at the end of the day,” she said in a June interview.

Henry R. Perea served on the council (1996-2002) and the Fresno County Office of Education before winning a seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisor (2008-16). He ran unsuccessfully for Fresno mayor in 2016, losing to Lee Brand.

His son, Henry T. Perea, served on the council (2002-10) and also made an unsuccessful bid for mayor (he lost to Ashley Swearingen in 2008). He was elected to the state Assembly (2010-15).

Perea, the father, seconded his daughter’s independence.

“I really expect her to be her own person, to be independent,” he said. “I mean, she is very smart. The one thing I always told Henry when he was in office, and I’ve told Annalisa, is that I’ll never give them my opinion unless they ask for it.”

The Perea clan is not the only Latino family involved in politics in the Valley.

Here is a look at others, in alphabetical order.

Arámbula: Current Assemblymember Joaquín Arámbula followed his father’s footsteps to the Assembly in a 2016 special election. His brother Diego Arámbula was appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees in 2020.

Chávez: Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chávez is in his second term in office, after having served on the Fresno Unified School District board. His wife, Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, is on her second term on the school board.

Flórez: Fran Flórez served on the Shafter City Council when her son, Dean Flórez, became the first Latino in the Valley elected to the state Senate (2002-10).

Hurtado: Melissa Hurtado is on her second term in office after surviving a close vote in the 16th state Senate District. When she was first elected, her spot on the Sanger City Council was filled by appointment by her younger sister, Esmeralda Hurtado.

Parra: Neither was on the ballot this year, but Daniel Parra continues to serve on the Fowler City Council while his daughter, Danielle, sits on the Fresno County Office of Education.

Parra: Pete Parra was the first Latino elected to the Kern County Board of Supervisors. Daughter Nicole M. Parra served in the state Assembly (2002-08).

Soria: Former Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria is in first weeks in the state Assembly. Sister Perla Soria serves on the Lindsay Unified School District board. Another sister, Ivet Soria, was elected to the Lindsay Hospital District.

Villa: In addition to Al Villa, who was elected to the Fresno City Council in 1971, there is his niece, Lisa Villa. She grew up in Santa Cruz and in 2012, Lisa Villa became the first Latina elected to statewide office in Maine by winning a state House race.

Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 5 de enero de 2023, 0:04 p. m..