No, Jessie Lopez did NOT receive a massive 500-600% raise on Santa Ana City Council.

A mailer showing Jessie Lopez in rock and roll gear holding wads of cash with a FALSE stamp over it.

You probably have gotten the mailers and seen the ads (and a good number of them) claiming that Jessie Lopez received a massive 500-600% raise on Santa Ana City Council at the expense of Santa Ana residents, often depicting her holding wads of cash or sitting on a throne atop stacks of money. 

Let’s set the record straight and take a look at the sources:

THE CLAIM

Jessie Lopez voted to give herself a 500% (or 600%) raise on the Santa Ana City Council.

THE TRUTH

MISLEADING

Transparent California website showing Jessie Lopez's pay at $12,000.04.

In 2023, Santa Ana voters voted on Measure FF, which would increase Santa Ana City Councilmember salaries to 33% of that of an Orange County Superior Court judge. This issue was voted on by the residents of Santa Ana, not a closed-door City Council vote, and was actually introduced by Councilmembers Phil Bacerra and Thai Viet Phan.

Councilmember Jessie Lopez’s stance was that the voters should be the ones to democratically decide whether they wanted full-time City Councilmembers, which would be a “yes” vote on the measure, as such a salary increase would require full-time dedication to City Council duties to be justified. She encouraged voters to vote “no” if they wanted salaries and part-time Council duties to remain as they were.

The voters ultimately decided to keep City Council salaries as they were and Measure FF did not pass, with “no” votes accounting for 65.66% of those cast.

Currently and continuingly, Santa Ana City Councilmembers are compensated $1,000 per month (source). Councilmember Jessie Lopez currently works two  jobs in addition to serving on City Council, representing Santa Ana’s Ward 3 and understands that working families are working multiple jobs and still struggling to get by. 

The bottom of a mailer with an arrow pointing to the ad's top funders.

Corporate landlords, tech giants, crypto bros, oil companies, big pharma, and AI corporations have been spending big to support Jessie's opponent in the AD-68 race.

These donors include and have included:

  • California Leads (funded by Google and Meta): $427,844 spent as of 5/4/2026
  • Grow California (funded by crypto bros): $765,535.00 spent as of 5/18/2026
  • Coalition to Restore California’s Middle Class, Including Energy, Manufacturing, and Technology Companies Who Produce Gas, Oil, Jobs and Pay Taxes (funded by Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, California Resources Corporation, and Valero Services): $709,780.81 spent as of 5/18/2026
  • Housing Providers for Responsible Solutions (funded by corporate landlords, California Apartment Association, California Association of Realtors, California Building Industry Association): $340,531.76 spent as of 5/18/2026
  • Keeping Californians Working- A Coalition of Insurance Agents, Energy, and Healthcare Providers: $75,902.44
  • Tim Draper, who has heavily contributed to Donald Trump’s campaign.

Mailers sent and ads shown that support Jessie's opponent are funded by tech giants, crypto bros, AI giants, oil/gas companies, corporate landlords, and MAGA donors.

A mailer with arrows pointing to who paid for the ad, Edison, PG&E, and Sempra.
A mailer with arrows pointing to the big oil donors/sponsors.
A mailer showing Jessie Lopez dressed as the Monopoly Man with a top hat and scepter.

Mailers sent to AD-68 residents use Jessie's likeness generated by AI

Ironically, anti-Jessie mailers use AI-generated imagery and artwork and aside from toeing an ethical line, these AI and tech giants are who are supporting Jessie’s opponent, looking to continue to build massive data centers that are heavy polluters, use more energy than many cities, and use millions of gallons of already scarce fresh water for cooling. 

Paid for by Jessie Lopez for Assembly 2026
FPPC# 1478693

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