Alhambra City Councilwoman Sasha Renée Pérez Enters State Senate Race For Seat Portantino Will Vacate

Alhambra City Councilwoman Sasha Renée Pérez on Tuesday declared her candidacy to be the next California State Senator from the 25th Senate District. Her announcement described her as “a regional leader who has advocated for higher education access, homeless support, and worker protection.”

Pérez faces two other area candidates who have also announced campaigns for the seat which goes empty when current State Senator Anthony Portantino terms out: Crescenta Valley Town Council Member Elizabeth Ahlers and former Sierra Madre Mayor John Harabedian.

Pérez said she already has already earned early endorsements from Pasadena Councilmember Jess Rivas, Pasadena Community College District Trustee Alton Wang, and several Pasadena residents who are advocates of environmental protection, housing stability, and civil rights, including Wesley Reutimann,  the Pasadena Tenants Union’s Allison Henry and Pasadena City Commissioner Brandon Lamar.

The 25th Senate District, currently represented by Senator Anthony Portantino,  Pasadena, Glendale,  Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.

Portantino has termed out and will not be rerunning for the seat.

Pérez’s message to her supporters emphasizes her commitment to addressing California’s most significant challenges and fighting for working families in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. She said she seeks to expand access to affordable higher education, advocate for stable housing, and increase good-paying job opportunities.

The councilwoman began her professional career at the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State LA, educating high school students about civic engagement and advocacy. She later became a Political Director for the Prop 1 campaign, which enshrined the right to abortion and contraception in the California State Constitution.

Voters can learn more about Pérez’s campaign at SashaReneePerez.com.