Dan Shimell for Santa Ana Mayor 2026

Meet Dan

Dan Shimell

Santa Ana is my home.

I am running for Mayor because I believe in the strength, resilience, and heart of our community. My family and I chose to build our lives here because we love this city — its culture, its diversity, and the sense of community that makes Santa Ana unlike anywhere else.

Santa Ana deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and always puts its people first. Leadership that listens. Leadership that brings people together. And leadership that remembers who this government belongs to: the people.

As an attorney, I advocate for the rights of others, and I understand that lasting solutions begin with listening. Together, we can strengthen our local economy, support our small businesses, expand access to affordable housing, and create more opportunities for families to succeed and thrive.

I believe every voice deserves to be heard. As your Mayor, I will be your advocate. I will listen to you, stand with you, and work alongside you to build the future our community deserves.

I will be there for you. I will fight for you. And I will make sure your voice is heard.

Recently, I have felt the fear and uncertainty affecting so many members of our community — including my own family — as immigration enforcement has touched our neighborhoods. No one should have to live in fear or feel disconnected from the city they call home. Together, we can change that.

As Mayor, I will work to build a government that is compassionate, accessible, and worthy of your trust — a government that treats every resident with dignity and respect.

Because Santa Ana is more than where we live. It is our home. It is our community. It is our future.

And this is our moment to shape that future.

For our families. For our neighborhoods. For our city. For the future of Santa Ana.

Together, we can accomplish great things.

Together, we can build a stronger Santa Ana.

And together, we can turn our shared hopes into a shared future.

Leadership
Integrity
Results

Guiding Principles

01

Accountability

Serving as Mayor means taking responsibility for the whole city—not just taking credit when things go well. I will lead by example and foster a culture of accountability throughout City government.

02

Collaboration

Working together with residents, local businesses, community organizations, and elected officials to deliver results for our city.

03

Leadership That Works for You

Putting the people of this city first. I will advocate for solutions to the issues that matter to you—not special interests.

The Plan

Three Priorities for your Santa Ana

A city that is affordable, inclusive, and responsive to every neighborhood.

01

Housing people can afford

Build more housing, and protect the homes families already live in.

Protect, expand, and streamline affordable housing policies
Encourage creation of affordable housing near transit and job centers
Enforce habitability and rent stabilization rules

02

Standing with our immigrant community

Santa Ana is strongest when every resident, regardless of immigration status, feels safe, respected, and protected by their local government.

Treat every resident with dignity and respect, regardless of immigration status
Adopt policies to safeguard the rights of all residents to be secure from unreasonable detention, arrest, or search
Use all lawful means to deter future immigration raids

03

Services for every neighbor

City services should reach every block and every family. City workers should have the tools and support they need to do their jobs efficiently and well.

Fix our roads, lighting, sidewalks, and crosswalks
Invest in our City workforce
Local hire and union labor on city-funded construction wherever possible

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Contributions are subject to the City of Santa Ana and California contribution limits and are not tax deductible. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. Contributors of $100 or more must provide occupation and employer.

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For Your Santa Ana