About
Antonio Vazquez, Board Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) representing the 3rd District, was elected to the Board in November 2018 and reelected in November 2022. His district includes all of Los Angeles County. He is the first Latino ever elected to the BOE since its inception.
Vazquez brings to the board over 20 years of business and government experience involving strategic and long-term planning, business development, and municipal and legislative advocacy. He is known as a tireless advocate for responsible growth and development, fiscal responsibility, public safety, affordable housing, open and responsive government, and education to improve the quality of life for all Californians.
As District Director for former Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, Vazquez was instrumental in revitalizing the poorest areas of the northeast San Fernando Valley and redeveloping the former General Motors plant. He served over ten years on the Santa Monica City Council, including terms as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2015 and Mayor in 2016. Vazquez was the first Latino ever to serve as Mayor since the city was incorporated in 1886.
As Mayor of Santa Monica, Vazquez advocated for streamlined business licensing and regulations, implemented innovative transportation projects, worked to obtain funding for affordable housing, promoted the passage of the city's Minimum Wage ordinance, supported the transitioning of the homeless into permanent housing, fought for local control of airport lands, and led the City Council in adopting a comprehensive Downtown Community Plan.
In the private sector, Vazquez served as the Southern California Regional Director for California Futures Network, where he promoted smart growth policy and legislation in the state of California, and as Community Planner for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, where he facilitated funding for community programs throughout the San Fernando Valley. He has served his community on many boards - including as Treasurer of the Independent Cities Association (ICA) and Board Member of the Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) - and has been a supporter of city youth programs throughout his career.
As a former schoolteacher and teacher trainer, Vazquez believes strongly in the importance of a quality education for all children. He was a member of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's Strategic Planning Committee, served on the School District's Feasibility Committee, and has played an active role in every local school board campaign for over twenty years.
Vazquez graduated from Santa Monica City College and continued his education at the University of Southern California where he received his degree. A resident of Santa Monica since 1984, he and his wife, Maria, have two grown children and two grandchildren.
