Tony's History
Tony Vazquez is a tireless advocate for smart growth and affordable housing in one of the most dynamic cities in California.
As an advocate of smart growth in Santa Monica, Vazquez believes the best way to build neighborhoods and vibrant cities is to insure they are economically prosperous, environmentally sustainable and welcoming to diverse communities.
The first Latino ever to serve as Mayor of the City of Santa Monica, since the city was incorporated in 1886, Vazquez believes hard work, smart planning and thriving business enterprise are the keys to a city’s success.
Vazquez was first elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1990, when the city was going through the revitalization of the Third Street Promenade. This endeavor helped revitalize the City of Santa Monica and proved a major success for the business community.
As Mayor of Santa Monica, Vazquez worked tirelessly to:
Oversee the completion of the Metro Expo Line extension, uniting downtown Los Angeles with Santa Monica Beach. This Metro line extension helps ease some of the traffic that gridlocks the city, but more important, it provides a clean, safe and less expensive transportation alternative for the thousands of Santa Monica workers who commute to Santa Monica every day;
Reopen the reconstructed California Incline, featuring a dedicated pedestrian and bike over cross, providing beach access from Palisades Park and the Idaho Trail;
Help reconfigure Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus routes to better meet the needs of the thousands of daily riders;
Implement innovative transportation projects, including the Breeze Bike Share program, expansion of Zip Car app-driven rental cars and developed pedestrian friendly sidewalks and walkways;
Advocating for streamlined business licensing and regulations, Vazquez most recently assisted the Quinn Automotive Group in developing the first Mini Auto Dealership, scheduled to open in May of 2017.
A former schoolteacher and teacher trainer, Vazquez has lived in Santa Monica since 1984. Vazquez is a graduate of the University of Southern California. A community planner for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, he facilitated funding for community programs throughout the San Fernando Valley. As District Director for then Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, he was instrumental in revitalizing the poorest areas of the northeast San Fernando Valley and redeveloping the former General Motors plant.
Vazquez also served as the southern California Regional Director for California Futures Network, which is a non-profit organization that promotes smart growth policy and legislation in the state of California. He has devoted his life to education, economic prosperity and improving the quality of life issues for all Californians.
Prolifically active in his community serving on several boards he is currently the treasurer of the Independent Cities Association (ICA), he is also a Board Member of (HELO) Hispanic Elected Local Officials, as well as many other boards. Vazquez is married with two children. His son and daughter both attended public schools. His son, like him, graduated from the University Southern California. His daughter attended New York University and is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts class of 2015. His wife Maria is a graduate of Hastings School of Law and currently serves on the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School Board. Vazquez is proud of his Mexican heritage and his immigrant parents who worked hard to put him and his siblings through college