Candidate for
City Council Member; City of Lynwood

Maria Teresa Santillan was elected to the Lynwood City Council on September 23, 2003, making history as the first Latina to serve, and the only woman to be elected to this office in the last 10 years. In December 2004, she was appointed by her colleagues to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the year 2005.

Mayor Pro-Tem Santillan concern is public safety, and has pledged her commitment to serve the citizens' best interest; to encourage a strong housing program that provides more incentives for low-income families to purchase new homes in the city; to implement more home improvement programs with opportunities for residents to refurbish their homes; to support new commercial development that will increase the City's tax base; to create programs for the youth as well as the senior citizens; and, to promote a safer community for the residents of Lynwood.

Knowing the importance of community service, Mayor Pro-Tem Santillan has been a member of a number of service organizations for many years, including Lynwood Citizens for Good Government, League of United Latin American Cities (LULAC), and National Women Political Caucus (NWPC). In the past, her civic involvement and volunteer services include serving on a commissioner on various City Commissions--Neighborhood Services, Public Safety, and Personnel Board. She has also served as the vice-president of Lynwood Block Watch Captains, as a member of St. Emydius School Parent Teacher Organization, as board member of the Lynwood Youth Baseball League, and as a hospital volunteer.

A resident of Lynwood for over 18 years, Mayor Pro-Tem Santillan, is a single mother with three very active children, Crystal, Alfonso, and Lizbeth.

A consummate professional, Mayor Pro-Tem Santillan is a benefit administrator for a major life insurance company in the Los Angeles area, where she has been employed for over 19 years.