The City of El Monte is welcoming two new members to the City Council, Jessica Ancona and Maria Morales. El Monte residents also voted to re-elect Mayor André Quintero for an unprecedented 5th term.
“First and foremost I want to thank El Monte residents for giving me the privilege to continue serving as Mayor for the Friendly City of El Monte,” said Mayor Andre Quintero. “My focus for the City will be to continue propelling the momentum of business growth, affordable and at-market housing, and public safety. I am confident that with the support of Jessica Ancona and Maria Morales we will continue making impactful changes.”
Quintero also thanked El Monte Mayor Pro Tem Gomez and Councilmember Macias for their years of service and dedication to improving the lives of residents.
El Monte Mayor Pro Tem Gomez and Councilmember Macias were key figures in developing housing for homeless veterans, bringing nationally recognized hotels such as The Holiday Inn, and securing grant funding to improve and expand parks and open spaces, to name a few.
“Our current City Council has established a strong foundation for El Monte,” said Mayor Quintero. “Our newly elected members will be able to build on that foundation and continue moving El Monte towards a path of success.”
The addition of Ancona and Morales shifts the composition of the Council to a woman-majority, reflecting the national political movement to elect more women into office.
“The political environment is shifting to be more inclusive. On a regional, state and national level, we’ve seen an increase in minority and women representation. I am proud to see that El Monte better reflects the community,” said Mayor Quintero.
Ancona and Morales have deep-seated roots in El Monte, both having been raised in the City.
Ancona began her career in public service in 2013 when she was elected to the El Monte City School District Governing Board. She currently serves as Vice President on the school board and previously served as President. Ancona also serves as a Delegate Assembly Member for the California School Board Association with 300 other members from throughout the State of California.
“I am honored that the residents of El Monte have placed their faith and trust in me and I want to thank them for electing me to represent them as their next Councilwoman,” said Ancona. “It [City Council] is a responsibility that I will not take lightly and I will work to serve our residents with transparency and visionary leadership to continue to move El Monte Forward.”
Professionally, Ancona is a middle school principal in the City of Rosemead. Prior to becoming a school administrator, she was a high school teacher for 10 years.
Ancona’s focus in the City of El Monte will be to increase affordable housing, create a Youth and Families Commission and a City and School Joint Use Committee, and developing more parks and open spaces.
Like Ancona, Morales is also a life-long El Monte resident who currently serves on the El Monte Planning Commission. As Co-Chair of the City of El Monte Planning Commission, Morales has provided oversight on the City’s economic development progress, specifically advocating for the preservation of greener spaces in the community.
“I feel honored and humbled to have this opportunity to serve my El Monte community, said Morales. “We have a lot of work to do, and I am the council member who will focus on creating additional green spaces where our families and children can once again thrive and enjoy the great outdoors. I will focus on moving El Monte forward.”
Outside of public service, Morales is a college professor and researcher. Additionally, Morales is currently pursuing a doctoral degree focusing on education equity and access from the University of Southern California.
As Councilmember, Morales’ priorities include attracting developers to utilize the Opportunity Zones, which encourages development in high need areas such as the Mountain View, Garvey Avenue, and Valley Blvd, and improving green spaces and parks by providing a safe pedestrian experience.
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