Phil Bacerra is a proven leader that is dedicated to building a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous Santa Ana. Guided by the values of public safety, fiscal responsibility, and opportunity for every family, Phil brings people together to deliver real results.
As our City Councilmember, Phil has:
- Strengthened laws to reduce public intoxication.
- Opened a police substation in South Santa Ana.
- Shut down homeless encampments.
- Secured funding for Funded five new traffic signals.
- Installed new lighting and playground equipment in our parks.
- Implemented repairs of our fire stations.
- Stopped a proposed needle distribution program.
- Installed safety fencing along the Flower Street Bike Trail.
If re-elected to the Santa Ana City Council, Phil will:
- Continue reducing homelessness on our streets.
- Attract investment that creates good-paying jobs for Santa Ana families.
- Improve sidewalks and streets.
- Ensure that our police and firefighters have the resources needed to keep our neighborhoods safe.
As proud Santa Ana homeowners, Phil and his wife, along with Stanley Pup, are committed to keeping Santa Ana clean, safe, and thriving for current and future generations.
About Phil
Phil is the son of a union grocery store manager and a waitress. He was born and raised in Orange County, where he attended local schools and worked as a busboy at his uncle’s restaurant in Santa Ana – Pop’s Cafe. Phil graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning and then went on to work for various city government agencies, including the city of Los Angeles. Phil has been using that city government experience to help small businesses succeed and increase access to high-quality housing.
As our City Councilmember, Phil currently represents the City of Santa Ana on the Orange County Fire Authority Board, where he was selected by his colleagues from throughout Orange County to serve as the Chair of the Board in 2025. Phil also serves on the Southern California Association of Governments’ Transportation Committee.
Prior to Phil’s election to the Santa Ana City Council, he previously served for over five years on the Santa Ana Planning Commission. Phil also served on the City’s General Plan Advisory Group, the Historic Resources Commission, and the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
Phil enjoys volunteering and contributing to the charitable efforts of the Santa Ana Elks, mentoring students from his alma mater, and assisting his high school alumni association in awarding scholarships to deserving students. Phil also enjoys watching baseball, hockey, and USC football.
Phil and his wife Wendy have lived in Santa Ana for many years, with their labradoodle, Stanley Pup.
Endorsements
Congressmember Lou Correa
Congressmember Robert Garcia
Congressmember Ted Lieu
State Senator Tom Umberg
State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia
State Assemblymember Mike Fong
State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua
Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem David Penaloza
Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee John Hanna
Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Zeke Hernandez
Santa Ana Unified School District Board Member Board Member John Palacio (Ret.)
Tom Lutz – Former Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilmember
Brett Franklin – Former Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilmember
Alberta Christy – Former Santa Ana City Councilmember, former Historic Resources Commissioner, and Valley Adams resident
Carl Benninger – Santa Ana Planning Commissioner and Metro Classic resident
Enrique Adame – Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association – President
Katherine Freeman – Republic Homes Neighborhood Association – President
Tammy Frias – Sandpointe Neighborhood Association – President
Sue Grasse – Thornton Park Neighborhood Association – President
Pete Lockwood – South Coast Neighborhood Association – President
Kathleen Kuilanoff – South Coast Neighborhood Resident
John and Lorena Vidaurri – Republic Homes Neighborhood Residents
Patricia Wenskunas – Chair of Crime Survivors PAC
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 3631
Santa Ana Police Officers Association
Crime Survivors PAC
Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 652
Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Operating Engineers Local 12
Iron Workers Local Unions 416 & 433
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36
United Association (UA) Local 250 Steamfitters & Refrigeration
*Titles for identification purposes only.