Racquel Vasquez

Racquel Vasquez (1969/1970) is the mayor of the city of Lemon Grove, the first African-American woman elected mayor in San Diego County.

Biography
Vasquez was born in Los Angeles and raised in Gardena, California. In 1994, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Management of Radio, TV&Film from California State University, Northridge. After school, she worked as a promotion specialist for the city of Newport News, Virginia and in 2000, she accepted a position as a public information officer for the city of San Diego. In 2007, she was appointed as Planning Commissioner in Lemon Grove. On November 6, 2012, she was elected to the Lemon Grove City Council. After 20-year incumbent mayor Mary Sessom retired, she entered the 2016 mayoral race. In November 2016, she was elected mayor, defeating fellow City Councilman George Gastil and medical credentialing specialist Teresa Rosiak. She was sworn in on December 20, 2016. Running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, she was able to balance the budget in 2019, the first time in many years. On November 3, 2020, she was re-elected as mayor with 38% of the vote defeating Jerry Jones (32.50%), Kamaal Martin (20.25%), and Christopher Williams (9.22%).

She is the recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award.

In 2023, she announced that she will be running to succeed Akilah Weber in the 79th district of the California State Assembly; her opponents are Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins and Colin Parent. Weber is running in the 39th district in the California State Senate currently held by President pro Tempore Toni Atkins who is term limited.

Personal life
Vasquez is married to a 24 year Navy veteran Jose Vasquez; they have two daughters.

Work
Main roles have included:
 * 1997-99: Promotion Specialist at City of Newport News
 * from April 2000: Senior Public Information Officer at City of San Diego
 * from December 2016: Mayor of Lemon Grove, California.