Acquanetta Warren
In the world of politics, Fontana city councilwoman Acquanetta Warren is an exception to the rule. She is an African-American woman who happens to also be a Republican and an elected officeholder. If “Acqui,” as her friends know her, wins election as Fontana mayor on November 2, she will hold the distinction of being mayor of the largest city in the United States headed by an African-American Republican.
Warren is seeking election as Fontana Mayor after former Mayor Mark Nuaimi stepped down from the position to accept a city manager position in Yucca Valley. Acquanetta has served on the city council since 2003. She was appointed at that time to replace councilman Mark Nuaimi who had become mayor. She was elected to the position in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.
This is Warren’s second attempt at election to a new office during this election cycle. Warren was one of seven candidates seeking the Republican nomination in the 63rd Assembly District this past June. Acquanetta did not allow the mud-slinging and contentious campaign conducted by one of the other leading candidates against the remaining candidates to dissuade her from running for public office again.
Warren is running a positive campaign based on her record of achievements as a city councilwoman. Accomplishments she is proud of include:
- Cut taxes by eliminating the Utility tax for all residents and businesses.
- Established a pro-business policy and partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to attract new businesses and to help existing businesses grow.
- Streamlined City departments into the division of Business Services to make it easier for businesses to work with the city including a city-wide review of plans to enhance the processing through the city review system.
- Implemented Expenditure Control Budgeting and cost containment, providing departments and incentive to under-spend their budgets.
During her campaign for Assembly, Warren discussed her key local issues in an interview with San Bernardino County Republican Women Federated. Of great personal interest to her is public health. She stated, “I saw a major social problem in Fontana, which is obesity. With the support of the Fontana City Council and Mayor, I created Healthy Fontana.” Healthy Fontana works to educate the public on obesity and obesity-related issues. It also features after-school programs that foster healthy exercise for as many as 4,000 students.
From 2005 through 2009, Warren was the Inland Regional Vice Chair of the California Republican Party. She used that position to increase minority involvement in the Republican Party. She believes Republicans should not change their values, but should improve the outreach and communication of those values.
“If you look at the actual positions of minorities, they are generally Republican stances: Limited government, personal responsibility, personal accountability. So many of my African-American friends are very anti-tax. If our message is clear, and if we work to make minorities feel comfortable, they’ll come over.”
Warren has proved to be an excellent fundraiser, having raised over $350,000 in her campaign for Assembly. This ability has provided her with quite an edge in the Mayor’s race as she is the only candidate of six running able to afford a ballot statement, which is a significant advantage in any election.
Warren received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Urban Studies from Occidental College. She is the director of Public Works for the city of Upland. She has three sons and resides in Fontana.
If successful in November, Acquanetta stands to become a significant leader in the Republican Party nationally. She is clearly someone to watch as a rising star in the party.
