List of mayors of Lynwood, California

! Image

! Mayor

! Term

! Notes/Citation

! Mayor pro tem

! Other Council members

| 1921–1984

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| 1984–1985

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| 1985–Dec 1986

| First African-American mayor

| Evelyn Wells

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| Dec 1986

| Acting mayor, first female mayor and second African-American mayor{{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Lynwood : Wells Serving as Mayor |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=December 4, 1986 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-04-hl-1313-story.html }}

| x

| Robert Henning
Paul Richards
John Byork
E.L. Morris

| Paul Richards

| Dec 1986–Jan 1989

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| Evelyn Wells
Paul Richards
John Byork
E.L. Morris

| 1989–1990

| {{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |title=City Council Elects Wells as First Female Mayor |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=January 12, 1989 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92916168/the-los-angeles-times/ |quote=Wells, 42, is the first Black woman....}}

| Paul Richards

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| 1990–1991

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| 1991–1992

| Henning stepped down prematurely in November 1991
The three incumbent members on the council voted for Heine in a special meeting as mayor
(incoming councilmember Louis Byrd did not take part){{Cite news|first=Tina |last=Griego |authorlink= |title=Embittered Mayor Steps Down Early Amid Council Rift - Clip 1 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 17, 1991 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92922065/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}}{{Cite news|first=Tina |last=Griego |authorlink= |title=Embittered Mayor Steps Down Early Amid Council Rift - Clip 2 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 17, 1991 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92922559/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}}{{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Louis J. Heine: Lynwood Councilman and Former Mayor |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=March 24, 1997 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-24-mn-41558-story.html |via=}}

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| Paul Richards
(2nd term)

| 1992–1997

| {{Cite news|first= Duke|last= Helfand|authorlink= |title= Hoping to End Scandal, Lynwood Fires Official |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=May 14, 1993 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92926773/the-los-angeles-times/|accessdate=}}

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| 1997–1998

| {{Cite news|first= Jack|last= Leonard|authorlink= |title= $800-Million Civil Rights Suit Filed Against City of Lynwood |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=August 13, 1998 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92936271/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}}

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| 1998–1999

| {{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Politicians Urge Public Unity, Cite Progress |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=February 2, 1999 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92934629/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}}

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| Louis Byrd

| 1999–2000

| {{Cite news|first=Aurelio |last=Rojas |authorlink= |title= State's Black Lawmakers Losing Ground to Latinos - page 2 |newspaper=Sacramento Bee|date=April 16, 2000 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92935287/the-sacramento-bee/ |accessdate=}}{{Cite news|first=Aurelio |last=Rojas |authorlink= |title= State's Black Lawmakers Losing Ground to Latinos - page 1 |newspaper=Sacramento Bee|date= April 16, 2000|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92935033/the-sacramento-bee/ |accessdate=}}

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| Paul Richards
(3rd term)

| 2000–2001

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| 2001–2003

| {{Cite news|first=Ted |last=Rohrlich |authorlink= |title= Judge Backs Lynwood In Suit Over Billboard Fees |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=August 8, 2002 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92937122/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}}

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| Fernando Pedroza

| 2003–2004

| Pedroza moved to Lynwood in 1979 with his family.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title=Elected Officials: Mayor Pro-Tem Fernando Pedroza |website=City of Lynwood, California|date=August 12, 2007 |url=http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_fernando_pedroza.htm |accessdate=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812032623/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_fernando_pedroza.htm| archive-date=August 12, 2007|quote=Councilman Pedroza, 42, is bilingual English / Spanish}} In 1984, he graduated from Lynwood High School and then graduated from Webster Career College in Long Beach.

Pedroza was elected to the Lynwood City Council in November 2001 and was the city's mayor in 2003. On September 25, 2007, he was ousted from the City Council in a recall election which also resulted in the removal of mayor Louis Byrd and fellow council members Leticia Vasquez and Alfreddie Johnson Jr.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Los Angeles County, CA Ballot - Special Recall Election, City of Lynwood - Shall Fernando Pedroza Be Recalled (Removed) From the Office of City Council Member? |website=smartvoter.org|date=September 28, 2007 |url= http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/09/25/ca/la/ballot.html#special_recall_election_city_of_lynwood |accessdate=}}{{Cite news|first1=Cynthia |last1= Daniels|first2=Richard |last2=Marosi|authorlink= |title= Pay Cut Plan Is Defeated in Lynwood |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=January 8, 2004 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-08-me-lynwood8-story.html |accessdate=}}{{Cite news|first=Richard |last=Marosi |authorlink= |title= Lynwood City Hall Searched in Probe of Credit Card Use |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=May 12, 2004 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-may-12-me-lynwood12-story.html |accessdate=}}{{Cite news|first1= Hector|last1=Becerra |first2=Andrew|last2=Blankstein| authorlink= |title= Lynwood mayor, 3 council members voted out |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=September 27, 2007 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-27-me-lynwood27-story.html |accessdate=}} Mayor Pro Tem Maria Teresa Santillan, the only council member to not face a recall vote, served as mayor in the interim.

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| Ramon Rodriguez

| 2004–2005

| Rodriguez was born in the town of Valparaíso, Zacatecas, Mexico. His family migrated to the United States in 1964, and he grew up in Hawaiian Gardens, California, where he graduated from Artesia High School in Lakewood, California.

Rodriguez was elected to the Lynwood City Council in 2001. In 2003, eight members of his family were charged with voter fraud after registering at a fictitious address to vote for his re-election.{{Cite news|first=Anna |last= Gorman|first2=Richard|last2=Marosi |authorlink= |title= Member of Lynwood Official's Family Charge With Voter Fraud |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=October 16, 2003 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108798087/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com}} In December 2004, he was appointed mayor by the City Council. In the December 2005 election he lost re-election to the City Council. He was re-elected to the council in 2007 after a recall election{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Councilmember Ramon Rodriguez |website=City of Lynwood, California|date=May 11, 2009 |url= http://lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_ramon_rodriguez.htm |accessdate=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511151015/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_ramon_rodriguez.htm| archive-date=May 11, 2009}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/09/25/ca/la/ballot.html|title=Los Angeles County, CA Ballot}} in September 2007 where mayor Louis Byrd and council members Fernando Pedroza, Leticia Vasquez, and Alfreddie Johnson Jr were all removed from office.{{Cite news|first1= Hector|last1=Becerra |first2=Andrew|last2=Blankstein| authorlink= |title= Lynwood mayor, 3 council members voted out |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=September 27, 2007 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-27-me-lynwood27-story.html |access-date=}}{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Los Angeles County, CA Ballot - Special Recall Election, City of Lynwood - Shall Leticia Vasquez Be Recalled (Removed) From the Office of City Council Member; City of Lynwood |website=smartvoter.org|date=September 28, 2007 |url= http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/09/25/ca/la/ballot.html#special_recall_election_city_of_lynwood |accessdate=}}

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| Leticia Vasquez

| 2005–2006

| Vasquez was born and raised in Lynwood, the daughter of immigrants from Mexico.{{cite web|url=//www.lynwood.ca.us/elected.htm |title=Lynwood - Elected Officials |date=2006-06-19 |access-date=2016-05-24 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619130901/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected.htm |archivedate=June 19, 2006 }} She graduated with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in public policy & administration from California State University, Long Beach and with a M.A. in education from Pepperdine University.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title=Meet Leticia |website=leticiavasquez.com|date= |url= http://www.leticiavasquez.com/about/ |access-date=August 20, 2012| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128040535/http://www.leticiavasquez.com/about/#selection-139.27-145.22| archive-date=January 28, 2013}}

Vasquez was elected to the Lynwood City Council in November 2003 and made history as the first Latina to serve as mayor of the city when she was appointed by the City Council in December 2005.{{cite web|url=//www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_leticia_vasquez.htm |title=Leticia Vasquez - Councilmember |date=2007-09-18 |access-date=2016-05-24 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918193613/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_leticia_vasquez.htm |archivedate=September 18, 2007 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2007/09/25/ca/la/ballot.html |title=Los Angeles County, CA Ballot |website=Smartvoter.org |date= |access-date=2016-05-24}}{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Mayor & City Council |website=City of Lynwood|date=May 11, 2009 |url=http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council.htm |access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616131427/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council.htm| archive-date=June 16, 2006}} In December 2006, she was succeeded as mayor by Louis Byrd.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Mayor & City Council |website=City of Lynwood|date=April 3, 2007 |url=http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council.htm |access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403193450/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council.htm| archive-date=April 3, 2007}} In September 2007, she was ousted from the City Council in a recall election which also resulted in the removal of mayor Louis Byrd and fellow council members Fernando Pedroza and Alfreddie Johnson Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Maria Teresa Santillan, the only council member to not face a recall vote, served as interim mayor.

While mayor, Vazquez faced criticism for not more aggressively representing Latino interests in a town that was roughly 80% Latino with a declining, although influential, Black population.{{Cite news|first= John L.|last=Mitchell |authorlink= |title=Lynwood a stage for area's racial shift |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=June 5, 2007 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92898264/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}} In 2003, she had nominated Louis Byrd for mayor over the Latino candidate.{{Cite news|first= Richard|last=Marosi |authorlink= |title=City Council Delays Earnings Cut In Lynwood |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=December 18, 2003 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92899883/the-los-angeles-times/ |accessdate=}}

On June 5, 2012, Vasquez was elected to the Central Basin Municipal Water District{{cite web|url=http://www.whittierdailynews.com/therose/ci_20800627/two-incumbents-defeated-central-basin-municipal-water-district |title=Two incumbents defeated in Central Basin Municipal Water District |website=Whittierdailynews.com |date=2013-01-07 |access-date=2016-05-24}} and is a professor of political science at El Camino College in Compton, California.

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| Louis Byrd
(2nd term)

| 2006–2007

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| Maria Teresa Santillan

| 2007–2010

| Santillan was elected to the Lynwood City Council in 2003 after winning a recall election which ousted Paul Richards, a 17-year councilmember, 7-term mayor, and the 2nd African-American mayor of the city (Richard's remaining term ran through December 1, 2005).{{cite news|first=Kenneth|last=Ofgang| url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/lynw011309.htm|title=Ex-Lynwood Mayor is Target of 'Vendetta', Lawyer Tells Ninth Circuit|newspaper=Metropolitan News-Enterprise|date=January 13, 2009|accessdate= May 27, 2018}}{{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Lynwood Voters Recall Councilman Richards |newspaper=Los Angeles Sentinel|date= August 10, 2003|url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-88228833.html |accessdate=February 27, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323095437/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-88228833.html| archive-date=March 23, 2015}} She was the first Latina to serve on the City Council.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Mayor Maria Teresa Santillan |website=City of Lynwood|date=May 11, 2009 |url=http://lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_maria_santillan.htm |accessdate=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511151010/http://lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council_maria_santillan.htm| archive-date=May 11, 2009}} In November 2005, she was re-elected to a 4-year term on the City Council{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title=Lynwood, CA City Council 2005 |website=ourcampaigns.com|date= |url= https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=869272 |accessdate=November 17, 2021}} and in December 2005, she was named Mayor Pro Tem. In September 2007, she was the only council member to not face a recall election which resulted in the ouster of mayor Louis Byrd and council members Fernando Pedroza, Alfreddie Johnson Jr. and Leticia Vasquez over corruption allegations.{{Cite news|first= Alejandro |last= Lopez de Haro|authorlink= |title= Judge Shortens Prison Term For Former Lynwood City Councilman - Louis Byrd is now expected to serve a four year prison term. |newspaper=patch.com|date=November 20, 2012 |url=https://patch.com/california/southgate-lynwood/judges-shortens-prison-sentence-of-former-lynwood-cit86872f8c25 |accessdate=}} In December 2007, she was appointed by the 5-member City Council to serve as mayor succeeding Louis Byrd.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Mayor & City Council |website=City of Lynwood|date=April 3, 2007 |url=http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council.htm |accessdate=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403193450/http://www.lynwood.ca.us/elected/elected_council.htm| archive-date=April 3, 2007}} She was reappointed as mayor in 2008. She was subsequently re-elected to the City Council in 2009{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title=Lynwood, CA City Council 2009 |website=ourcampaigns.com|date= |url= https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=869276 |accessdate=November 17, 2021}} and 2013.{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title=Lynwood, CA City Council 2013 |website=ourcampaigns.com|date= |url= https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=869278 |accessdate=November 17, 2021}} She later served as mayor again from 2016 to 2017.{{Cite web|first=Nanette |last=Diaz Barraga |authorlink=Nanette Barragán |title=CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HONORING THE YEARS OF SERVICE OF MARIA TERESA SANTILLAN-BEAS TO THE CITY OF LYNWOOD |website=govinfo.go|date=December 5, 2017 |url= https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2017-12-05/pdf/CREC-2017-12-05-pt1-PgE1657-5.pdf |accessdate=}}

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| Aide Castro

| 2010–2011

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| Jim Morton

| 2011–2012

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| Salvador Alatorre

| 2012–2013

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| Edwin Hernandez

| 2014–2015

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| Maria Teresa Santillan
(2nd term)

| 2016–2017

| Second term.{{Cite web|first=Nanette |last=Diaz Barraga |authorlink=Nanette Barragán |title=CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HONORING THE YEARS OF SERVICE OF MARIA TERESA SANTILLAN-BEAS TO THE CITY OF LYNWOOD |website=govinfo.go|date=December 5, 2017 |url= https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2017-12-05/pdf/CREC-2017-12-05-pt1-PgE1657-5.pdf |accessdate=}}

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| José Luis Solache

| 2018–2019

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| Aide Castro

| 2019–2020

| {{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Lynwood City Council Meeting - Regular Minutes - September 15, 2020 |website=Lynwood, California website|date= |url=http://services.lynwood.ca.us/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=254476&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche |accessdate=}}

| Jorge Casanova

| Salvador Alatorre
José Luis Solache
Marisela Santana

| Marisela Santana

| 2020–2021

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| Jorge Casanova

| 2021–2022

| {{Cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= Lynwood Welcomes New Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem |newspaper=Lynwood, California website|date=December 9, 2021 |url=http://lynwood.ca.us/galleries/lynwood-welcomes-new-mayor-and-mayor-pro-tem/ |accessdate=}}

| José Luis Solache

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| Oscar Flores

| 2022 - 2023

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| Rita Soto

|Gabriela Camacho, Jose Solache, Juan Munoz-Guevara, Rita Soto

|Jose Solache

|2024–Present

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|Rita Soto

|Juan Munoz-Guevara, Rita Soto, Oscar Flores, Gabriela Camacho