City of Soledad City Council Council Member Anna Velazquez

A lifelong resident of Soledad who was raised by farmworker parents, Anna Velazquez attended local schools and earned her associate’s degree from Hartnell Community College. Then she left home to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminology from California State University Fresno.

After four years as a member of the Soledad City Council, Velazquez made a run for mayor in 2020, becoming the first woman to occupy the seat—just in time for the city’s centennial celebration in 2021. Velazquez was the first candidate to take on the former mayor, Fred Ledesma, who had served in the office since 2010. She told the Monterey County Weekly, “It’s not just about people going to city council and voicing their opinion, but really being able to provide different platforms where people can get involved, where people can feel like their voices are heard.”

Velazquez describes what she brings to her position as mayor: “My expertise includes administration of federal grants and the crafting and knowledge of local and state policies especially in the area of affordable housing. Additionally, I possess strong personnel and project management skills which have proven to be foundational in building civic and regional partnerships and providing fiscal sustainability for the delivery of programs and services.”

She serves on boards for the following organizations: Monterey County Mayors’ Association (chair), California League of Cities (Monterey Bay Division president), California League of Cities, Democratic Women of Monterey County, and the Housing Resource Center.