Santa Ana Mayoral Contest Draws 4 Initial Candidates

Board of Education President Sal Mendoza, 36, and plumbing contractor John M. Raya, 41, have taken out papers to run for mayor in Santa Ana’s November election, joining two others who did so when election season opened this week.

Potential candidates must return the nomination papers to the City Clerk’s office by Aug. 12 with the signatures of at least 20 residents to officially enter the race.

Eleven people so far have taken out nominating papers.

Also announced as mayoral candidates are businessman and Mayor Pro Tem Miguel A. Pulido Jr., 38, and Arthur A. Castro, a 24-year-old sales representative who made a last-minute decision to enter the race.

Neighborhood activist Alberta Christy, 49, and Tony Espinosa, 26, a deputy probation counselor, have said they intend to run for the seat that Pulido will vacate on the seven-member City Council. Christy, a banking officer who has waged a campaign to close a nude dancing establishment in the city, and Espinosa have taken out nominating papers.

Councilwoman Patricia A. McGuigan is running to retain her seat against three potential candidates: real estate consultant Sean Mill, 27; U.S. Postal Service worker George F. da Corte, 57, and Henry Drew, a 36-year-old planner.

Councilman Robert L. Richardson is running unopposed to retain his council seat.

Others have announced their intention to run for office in November but have not yet pulled nominating papers. They include Randell Young, a businessman and musician who has declared his candidacy for mayor, and former City Councilman John Acosta.