Sandra De Anda is a proud third-generation Santa Ana resident who believes everyone deserves to have the opportunity to thrive in the city they call home.

Born and raised in Santa Ana, Sandra grew up in a working-class immigrant family whose both parents are from Sinaloa, Mexico. As the eldest of seven siblings, she learned early the importance of looking out for the most vulnerable in her community and learning how to navigate complex systems to find solutions. The daughter of an immigrant industrial worker and the sister of an Army veteran, Sandra understands the challenges facing working families because she has lived them. She spent much of her childhood in Section 8 housing in Santa Ana's historic Cambodian and Mexican neighborhood of Cornerstone Village also known as Minnie St, where she alongside thousands of neighbors experienced the high cost of living, food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, hypersurveillance, and the spectre of immigration enforcement. 

Those experiences quietly took root in her youth and, as an adult, blossomed into a lifelong commitment to making Santa Ana a place where every family can belong and thrive. 

Sandra attended Kennedy Elementary School and Villa Fundamental School before earning a scholarship through the A Better Chance Program to Chatham Hall, an all-girls college preparatory school in Virginia. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Reed College in Oregon, becoming the first in her family to pursue higher education.

Today, Sandra is a recognized, award winning immigrant rights advocate, writing instructor and community leader who has spent her career fighting for the families of Santa Ana. As a community leader, she has helped families navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives by advocating for stronger public policies, and building partnerships between community organizations, attorneys, legal advocates, and local leaders. Sandra believes that effective leadership starts with listening to residents and bringing people together to solve problems. 

Sandra is taking the next step in her public service by running to represent the residents of Santa Ana to ensure that everyone can see themselves reflected and heard in City Hall.