Loretta Sanchez

Sanchez was born in Lynwood, California, and graduated from Katella High School in Anaheim in 1978. Her father was a unionized machinist, and her mother worked as a secretary.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} Her Mexican-immigrant parents had seven children, one of whom—Linda Sánchez{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/fashion/28sanchez.html|title=Sisters Share a Capitol Sandbox|last=Bosman|first=Julie|date=2008-12-26|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-12-04|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|quote=All of which proved another loosely held truth in Washington: news about Ms. [Linda] Sánchez, or her sister, Representative Loretta Sanchez (who does not use the accent in her name), is bound to be interesting.}}—also served in Congress, making them the first (and, {{As of|2023|December|df=US|lc=y}}, the only) sisters to serve simultaneously in Congress.{{cite web |title=Sanchezes: Sisters to Watch |url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/erbe/2007/01/12/sanchezes-sisters-to-watch |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=January 12, 2007 |access-date=January 6, 2018}}

Loretta Sanchez joined the United Food and Commercial Workers when she worked as an ice cream server in high school and received a union scholarship to college. She received her undergraduate degree in economics from Chapman College in Orange in 1982, obtained her MBA from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1984, and was a financial analyst for defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton until entering the House.{{cite web|title=Loretta Sanchez's Biography|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/203/loretta-sanchez#.VIdFpjHF-Tt|website=Project Vote Smart|access-date=9 December 2014}} Sanchez describes herself as growing up a "shy, quiet girl" who did not speak English. She credits government with much of her success in public life.Sanchez, Loretta. (2005). In CQ's Politics in America 2006. The 109th Congress; retrieved January 14, 2007 from CQ Electronic Library, CQ Congress Collection

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• Subcommittee on Strategic Forces (Ranking Member)
• Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
• Committee on Homeland Security
• Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security
• Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

• Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Congressional Human Rights Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Sportsmen's Caucus

File:Representative Loretta Sanchez at a press conference.jpg

In February 2006, Sanchez withdrew from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's political action committee, along with five other members, because the caucus chairman, Joe Baca, authorized political contributions to members of his family who were running for state and local offices in California.[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2572.html "Sanchez Accuses Democrat of Calling Her a 'Whore', Resigns from Hispanic Group"] Politico. February 2, 2007; retrieved February 7, 2007.

Sanchez and other CHC members also claim that Baca was improperly elected chairman of the caucus in November 2006 because the vote failed to use secret ballots, as required in the group's bylaws.[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2583.html "Two More Reps. Complain About Treatment of Women in Hispanic Caucus"] Politico. February 2, 2007; retrieved February 7, 2007. On January 31, 2007, Sanchez quit the CHC because she claimed that Baca repeatedly treated the group's female members with disrespect. Other female lawmakers have made the same complaint about Baca.[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/politicalmuscle/2007/02/whore_comment_f.html "'Whore' Comment Fractures California Dems"] Los Angeles Times February 1, 2007; retrieved February 7, 2007 In the election for caucus chairman, only one female member of the 23-member caucus voted to support Baca's candidacy.[http://thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/111606/chc.html "CHC nears split as female members refuse to support chairman"]{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Hill. November 18, 2006; retrieved February 7, 2007

According to Sanchez, as well as Linda Sánchez (her sister), and Hilda Solis, Baca called Loretta Sanchez "a whore" while speaking to other lawmakers.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/01/AR2007020101416.html "Hispanic Caucus Members Toil Over Insult"], The Washington Post. February 1, 2007; retrieved February 7, 2007 Baca denied the charge. Politico reported that Sanchez claimed California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez heard the comment from Baca and repeated it to Sanchez, yet Núñez claimed not to recall any such comment.[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/politicalmuscle/2007/02/nunez_i_dont_re.html "Nunez: I Don't Recall Whore Comment"] Los Angeles Times February 1, 2007; retrieved February 7, 2007. Sanchez, however, claimed after the article was published that she had never mentioned Núñez to Politico.[http://www.townhall.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?contentGUID=a6183f9f-1ad7-42aa-a191-e9cb394b0ed6 "Hispanic Caucus Members Toil Over Insult"], Townhall.com. February 1, 2007; retrieved February 7, 2006.

File:Loretta Sanchez 1.jpg

Sanchez has stated she is a "moderate" Democrat, but in 2009, Sanchez had a 'zero' approval rating from the American Conservative Union.{{cite web|last1=Block|first1=Stephanie|title=Loretta Sanchez is no moderate Democrat|url=http://www.speroforum.com/a/UQFMKHYNTH55/75503-Loretta-Sanchez-is-no-moderate-Democrat#.VVluB0af8gQ|website=Spero News|access-date=18 May 2015|date=19 January 2015|quote=The American Conservative Union gave her a 'zero' rating in 2009|archive-date=18 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418161752/http://www.speroforum.com/a/UQFMKHYNTH55/75503-Loretta-Sanchez-is-no-moderate-Democrat#.VVluB0af8gQ|url-status=dead}}

She represented a district in Orange County, long a bastion of suburban conservatism, and is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition; she reportedly voted with Nancy Pelosi 97.8% of the time during the 111th Congress.[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/house/party-voters/#The Washington Post U.S. House Votes Database] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914094658/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/house/party-voters/ |date=2010-09-14 }}

Sanchez is known for her interests in education, crime, economic development, and protections for senior citizens.{{cite web|title=Sanchez, Loretta (D-CA-47th) Rep., Job Approval Rating|url=http://www.congressratings.com/456/sanchez-loretta-d-ca-47th-rep/|website=Congress Ratings|access-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075217/http://www.congressratings.com/456/sanchez-loretta-d-ca-47th-rep/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}

National Journal rated her votes in 2006 in three areas: Economic, Social, and Foreign. The ratings are: Economic = 71 liberal/28 conservative; Social = 80 liberal/19 conservative; Foreign = 70 liberal/28 conservative.[http://0-www3.nationaljournal.com.libus.csd.mu.edu/pubs/almanac/2008/people/ca/rep_ca47.htm Loretta Sanchez profile at National Journal]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Sanchez staunchly opposed the Republicans' Head Start program overhaul in the 108th Congress, invoking her experience growing up poor and challenged by a speech impediment. During debate on the bill, she said:

I know about these kids, because I am one of those kids ... It hurts to hear you talk about how we are not successful, or how we are losers. But we are very successful. We have had a lot of successes with Head Start.

Sanchez has asserted that conservative Republicans are not committed to improving public education.Sanchez, Loretta (2003-02-02). "The Real State of the Union is Not Healthy", Los Angeles Times. February 2, 2003, p. B19. When President Bush's 2003 budget proposal threatened to cut education grants, she responded:

If he can run deficits for the military, then he can run deficits to educate our children.

File:Loretta Sanchez 2.jpg

Sanchez was the second-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, and the most senior woman on that committee. Loretta has fought to reform both the law and culture of the U.S. military relating to investigation of sexual crimes, prosecution of sex offenders and care of sexual assault victims. Her leadership contributed to a decision to examine the problem of sexual assault at the military service academies, which revealed that the problem was much more prevalent than previously thought. As a result, she led the fight to change sexual assault provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. {{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} In early 2011, Sanchez introduced a bill requiring the United States Department of Homeland Security to issue rules governing searches and seizures of the laptops, cellphones, and other electronic devices of American citizens returning to the U.S. from abroad.{{cite web|author=Greewald, Glenn|author-link=Glenn Greenwald|date=2011-01-15|url=http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/01/15/laptops/index.html|title=Homeland Security's laptop seizures: Interview with Rep. Sanchez|website=Salon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305155529/http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/01/15/laptops/index.html|archive-date=2011-03-05}}

Sanchez is regarded as a liberal on social issues. She voted against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and supports abortion rights. She also sought to reverse the ban on abortions at overseas military bases and installations. In August 2000, Sanchez refused to relocate a political fundraiser she had planned at the Playboy Mansion in California. As a result, Democratic National Committee chairman Joe Andrew cancelled her scheduled speaking role at the Democratic National Convention. Sanchez's address was reinstated just before the convention, when she agreed to relocate her fundraiser to Universal Studios.[http://dir.salon.com/story/politics/feature/2000/08/15/sanchez/ "The taming of Loretta Sanchez"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606230453/http://dir.salon.com/story/politics/feature/2000/08/15/sanchez/ |date=2011-06-06 }}. Salon.com; retrieved May 4, 2008

File:Loretta Sanchez Visits Troops Kuwait.jpg

File:Loretta Sanchez Visits Troops Africa.jpg

According to Congressional Quarterly, "In 2002, Sanchez voted against reviving fast-track procedures for congressional action on trade deals. And, coming from a district with one of the largest ethnically Vietnamese communities outside Vietnam, she voted against a trade agreement with Vietnam, saying that political and human rights conditions in that country needed improvement. Her outspokenness led the Hanoi regime to refuse to allow her into the country late in 2004 when she applied for an entry visa to meet with dissidents." By April 2006, Sanchez had been denied a visa to visit Vietnam four times by the country's officials.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/atoz/article_1088283.php|title=Vietnam denies visa for Sanchez visit|last=Mahshie|first=Abraham|date=April 6, 2006|work=The Orange County Register|access-date=February 4, 2007|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210080533/http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/atoz/article_1088283.php|archive-date=December 10, 2006}} In honor of International Human Rights Day, she joined a bipartisan group of 11 House Members that issued a letter to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung calling for the release of two U.S. citizens arrested by the government of Vietnam.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=253&Itemid=129|title=December 10, 2007: Sanchez Issues Letter to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung|publisher=Lorettasanchez.house.gov|access-date=2010-07-11|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609222000/http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=253&Itemid=129|archive-date=June 9, 2010}}

On October 10, 2002, Sanchez was among the 133 members of the House who voted against authorizing the invasion of Iraq, but she has voted in favor of every appropriation bill for the war in Iraq. She opposed the troop surge in February 2007.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070225230631/http://recap.fednet.net/archive/Buildasx.asp?sProxy=80_hflr021407_055.wmv,80_hflr021407_056.wmv&sTime=00:01:20.0&eTime=00:01:53&duration=00:05:31.0&UserName=repsancca&sLocation=J&sExpire=1 Congresswoman Sanchez during debate on] See also [http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=616766500231+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve Congresswoman the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on February 14 2007]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On March 7, 2007, Sanchez led a female congressional delegation to visit troops in Iraq. This was her third visit to Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=129|title=March 1, 2007: Sanchez Visits Troops in Iraq|publisher=Lorettasanchez.house.gov|access-date=2010-07-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627181653/http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=129|archive-date=June 27, 2007}}

Sanchez has a strong record on supporting human rights and is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Two major votes include voting yes in 2001 to keep the Cuba travel ban until political prisoners are released, but later voting in 2009 to lift the travel ban unilaterally, and yes to acknowledge the Armenian genocide of the early 1900s.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Loretta_Sanchez_Foreign_Policy.htm|title=Loretta Sanchez on Foreign Policy|publisher=Ontheissues.org|access-date=2010-07-11}} She voted to implement the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=199&Itemid=56 |title=January 9, 2007: Sanchez Votes to Implement 9/11 Commission's Recommendations|publisher=Lorettasanchez.house.gov|access-date=2010-07-11|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609222637/http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=199&Itemid=56|archive-date=June 9, 2010}}

Sanchez has stated that she was briefly denied access to a United Airlines flight in October 2006 because her name appeared on a no-fly list set up after the September 11 attacks. Sanchez said she was instructed to check in with a United employee, who told her she was on the terrorist watch list. The employee asked her for identification.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/world/19374/congresswoman-has-no-fly-list-troubles/story/|title=Congresswoman has no-fly list troubles|work=GMA News Online}}

In a December 2015 interview with Larry King, in response to his question about the threat of extremist groups within Islam, Sanchez suggested some experts estimate that "anywhere between 5 and 20 percent" of Muslims worldwide supported the creation of a Caliphate to overthrow the United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-pc-loretta-sanchez-comment-muslims-20151211-story.html|title=Rep. Loretta Sanchez responds to criticism over comment on Muslims|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 11, 2015|author=Phil Willon}} Sanchez's comments, which came on the heels of both the recent Islamist terror attack in San Bernardino and 2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's call to temporarily ban Muslim immigration to the United States, were criticized as contributing to Anti-Muslim sentiment. Sanchez explained that she was merely echoing President Obama's remarks in his December 6, 2015 Oval Office Address wherein he stated: "Extremist ideology has spread within some Muslim communities. This is a real problem that Muslims must confront, without excuse." She further noted that she has a well-known record of defending the civil liberties of Muslim groups and that she believed most Muslims "are actually with us" in fighting Islamic extremism.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-loretta-sanchez-muslims-comment-20151214-story.html|title=Rep. Loretta Sanchez: 'I've never attacked Muslims'|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=December 14, 2015|author=Cathleen Decker}}

On September 13, 2016, the House Committee on Homeland Security unanimously approved two amendments authored by Sanchez to strengthen counterterrorism and cybersecurity programs.

The first bill, the Community Counterterrorism Preparedness Act, H.R. 5859, "establishes a grant program to help major metropolitan areas prepare for and respond to terror attacks that include active shooters."{{Cite web|url=https://lorettasanchez.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-loretta-sanchez-cybersecurity-counterterrorism-amendments-adopted-in|title=REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ CYBERSECURITY & COUNTERTERRORISM AMENDMENTS ADOPTED IN HOMELAND SECURITY MARKUP|date=2016-09-13|access-date=2016-10-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005091344/https://lorettasanchez.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-loretta-sanchez-cybersecurity-counterterrorism-amendments-adopted-in|archive-date=2016-10-05}} Sanchez's amendment requires that "unclassified threat information" be provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant applicants. According to Sanchez, "With this change, we not only provide needed funds to help regions prepare for attacks, we also give them critical tips and best practices to help them respond."{{Cite web|url=https://homelandprepnews.com/featured/19753-sanchez-amendments-adopted-two-homeland-security-bills/|title=Sanchez amendments adopted in two Homeland Security bills|last=Murtha|first=Alex|date=2016-09-19|website=Homeland Preparedness News|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-03}}

The second bill, the Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016, H.R. 5459, "clarifies that DHS grants for states and urban areas can be used for similar statewide initiatives." Sanchez's new amendment will increase the use of DHS grants in focusing on identifying threats and improving "cybersecurity sharing dissemination." According to Sanchez, "Given our increased reliance on cyber technology for commerce and critical infrastructure, and given the increasing sophistication of hackers who would do us harm, we must improve our efforts to identify, neutralize, and prevent cyberattacks."

In 2009, Loretta Sanchez secured $49.7 million in federal funding for critical water projects in Orange County, including local dam building, water treatment, and conservation projects:{{Cite web|title=REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ SECURES NEARLY $ 50 MILLION FOR CRITICAL ORANGE COUNTY WATER PROJECT|url=https://lorettasanchez.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-loretta-sanchez-secures-nearly-50-million-for-critical-orange-county|website=Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez|access-date=2016-01-27|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907104433/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-loretta-sanchez-secures-nearly-50-million-for-critical-orange-county |archive-date=2016-09-07}}

$49,310,000 for the continuing construction of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, including the Prado Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers labeled the Santa Ana River the worst flood threat west of the Mississippi River. Federal funding allowed for the construction of a new dam to help mitigate this threat, as well as the potential environmental impact imposed by the dam.

$2.870,000 for the Upper Newport Bay Ecosystem Restoration – Funding for this initiative helped manage sedimentation in the Upper Newport Bay by increasing the capacity of sediment basins, restoring and enhancing estuarine habitats, and improving educational and recreational opportunities.{{Cite web|title=REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ ANNOUNCES OVER $25 MILLION SECURED FOR ORANGE COUNTY PROJECTS|url=https://lorettasanchez.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-loretta-sanchez-announces-over-25-million-secured-for-orange-county|website=Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez|access-date=2016-01-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907104600/http://lorettasanchez.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-loretta-sanchez-announces-over-25-million-secured-for-orange-county|archive-date=2016-09-07}}

$426,000 for the Westminster-East Garden Grove Watershed Study in Santa Ana to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertake a comprehensive study of the Westminster Watershed, to develop a rehabilitation plan for flood control, ecosystem restoration, recreation, and water quality solutions, including the East Garden Grove-Wintersburg Channel and the Bolsa Chica Flood Control Channel. This study helped bolster flood control efforts currently in place, and assisted with ecosystem restoration and overall water quality standards. Both projects were consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' flood control and environmental restoration missions in Southern California.

$558,000 for the Orange Country Regional Water Reclamation Project – Also known as the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), this project was a water supply initiative designed to reuse approximately 140,000 acre-feet of treated and recycled waste water every year.

$860,000 for the Westminster/East Garden Grove Watershed Study – Funding helped the Army Corps of Engineers continue its comprehensive study of the Westminster Watershed

$546,000 for the Surfside-Sunset and Newport Beaches – Funding helped mitigate damage along 17 miles of the Orange County coastline that was caused by the construction of federal navigation and flood control works in Long Beach and Anaheim Bay.

$369,000 for a Feasibility Study on the Aliso Creek Mainstem Project – Funding for the project helped to develop a plan to create stable flood plain areas and regenerate native riparian habitats, which resulted in cooler water and improved fish health.

File:Loretta Sanchez with Bill Clinton.jpg]]

Sanchez changed her party affiliation from Republican to Democratic in 1992, ahead of a 1994 campaign for Anaheim City Council. She ran under her married name Loretta Sanchez Brixey, but later dropped her married name because she believed that she and her seven brothers and sisters were better known in the community as the Sanchez family.

In 1996, Sanchez ran for the US House in California's 46th District against six-term Republican incumbent Bob Dornan. The bitterly fought race saw Sanchez charge that Dornan was out of touch with his constituency, especially after a distracting run for the 1996 Republican presidential nomination. The 46th and its predecessors had always had a Democratic tilt, but became even more Democratic after the 1990 census when it absorbed a considerably larger number of Hispanics than had previously been in the district. Sanchez won by 984 votes, and Dornan contested the election, alleging that many votes were cast by people who were not American citizens.

A 16-month Congressional investigation found some evidence that 624 votes were indeed cast illegally (of which 84 votes were cast by newly naturalized citizens on the actual date of the election who had registered before their naturalization, which is not allowed under California law). An additional 124 flawed absentee votes had already been thrown out by California officials.{{Cite web|url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRPT-105hrpt416/html/CRPT-105hrpt416.htm|title=House Report 105-416 - DISMISSING THE ELECTION CONTEST AGAINST LORETTA SANCHEZ}}

In consultation with the INS, the House investigative panel began with an INS name-matching list of 4,329 individuals with entries in INS computer records, compared to the voter rolls in the 46th Congressional District; and proceeded to use other government records, including claims of non-citizenship to be excused from jury duty, ultimately arriving at a list of 7,841 "suspicious" votes. California's Secretary of State and the Orange County District Attorney also investigated a voter-registration group, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional and other alleged voter fraud in Orange County. Local investigators, and eventually the Los Angeles Times, confirmed that Hermandad, an immigration and naturalization service still very active today in both Texas and California, had helped 172 register to vote before their naturalization, under the erroneous belief by some of its employees that as long as someone was naturalized before the date of the election, this was lawful.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/16/us/inquiry-finds-possible-illegal-ballots-cast-in-upset-of-dornan.html|title = Inquiry Finds Possible Illegal Ballots Cast in Upset of Dornan|newspaper=The New York Times|date = 16 February 1997}} The Orange County D.A. attempted to indict two employees of the organization, but when a grand jury declined to go along, the local investigation was dropped.{{Cite web|url=https://migration.ucdavis.edu/mn/more.php?id=1421|title=California: Integration, Schools, Economy - Migration News | Migration Dialogue}}

In February 1998 the House Committee on Oversight voted 8–1 to dismiss the matter, ending its investigation. As Federal law required a proportional reduction of vote totals for each candidate, there being no means of determining just which candidate an illegal (or suspected illegal) voter had actually voted for, it was clear the result of the disputed election would not change even if the probe had continued.

The acrimonious disputes between Republicans and Democrats throughout the investigation and a desire not to alienate voters of Hispanic/Latin descent in the forthcoming congressional elections by GOP leaders also seem to have played a role, along with former Rep. Dornan's rather abrasive personal style, which the House in general had grown tired of.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/02/13/cq/sanchez.html|title=Proof of Illegal Voters Falls Short, Keeping Sanchez in House - February 7, 1998|website=CNN}}

Indeed, the supposed total of 624 'illegal' votes was bitterly disputed by the Democratic minority, which argued that the investigation had never actually proved that many of the identified voters were in fact non-citizens; indeed asserting that between one quarter to even one half of "illegal" voters "were U.S. citizens at the time they voted in the 1996 election," although they registered to vote in advance of being sworn in as U.S. Citizens. And that in fact the Oversight Committee's suspected illegal voter list still "contain[ed] a significant number of names whose Orange County Voter Records indicate that they were born in the United States...." Despite the lengthy investigation, definitive proof of citizen or non-citizen status, and proof that the actual person still on the suspect voter list was actually the same individual whose name appeared in INS records was lacking for many of the 540 remaining voters, once those determined to have registered too early, before naturalization, were subtracted.[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/02/13/cq/sanchez.html "Proof Of Illegal Voters Falls Short, Keeping Sanchez In House"]. CNN.com. February 7, 1998; retrieved February 7, 2007.

Sanchez became the first member of Congress of Mexican heritage to represent Orange County and was re-elected.

In a 1998 rematch, she easily defeated Dornan and would not face another serious contest in a congressional election. Her district was made even safer after the 2000 census, when it was renumbered as the 47th District and reconfigured as a Latino-majority district. During that redistricting process, Sanchez hired lobbyist Michael S. Berman, brother of California Democratic Congressman Howard Berman, for "redistricting consulting" on her behalf. She paid Berman $20,000 for his work.Haberman, Maggie (2011-03-03) [http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=794EC164-E117-75BA-4B74A1110B05B851 Lobbyists join redistricting in N.Y.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308021919/http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=794EC164-E117-75BA-4B74A1110B05B851 |date=2011-03-08 }}, Politico

In 2006, she defeated Tan D. Nguyen (R) with 62% of the vote.

{{main|2003 California gubernatorial recall election}}

During California's 2003 gubernatorial recall election, Sanchez was one of the first Democrats to break from Governor Gray Davis and state that a Democrat should run to succeed Davis in case the recall measure passed. Though she recommended that the Democratic candidate be California's senior Senator Dianne Feinstein, Sanchez stated that if no other serious Democratic contender stepped forward, she would be willing to run herself. Many California Democrats ultimately adopted Sanchez's position, paving the way for Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante to enter the race.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/sanchez-188561-political-governor.html|title=Rep. Sanchez ponders move out of House|date=November 19, 2005|access-date=December 16, 2014|work=The Orange County Register|author=Dena Bunis}}

{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 47}}

Sanchez won against Republican nominee Rosemarie Avila and American Independent Robert Lauten.

{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 47}}

Sanchez considered running for governor and for the United States Senate, but declined to enter the gubernatorial race after former governor Jerry Brown declared his candidacy and deferred to incumbent senator Barbara Boxer, who ran for re-election.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/water-645246-sanchez-donors.html|title=Rep. Loretta Sanchez doesn't rule out bid for U.S. Senate if Barbara Boxer retires|date=December 14, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2014|work=The Orange County Register|author=Martin Wisckol}}

Sanchez was challenged by Republican nominee Van Tran and independent candidate Ceci Iglesias. According to Roll Call, Sanchez considered running for governor or for the U.S. Senate in 2010."Think Big, Plan Ahead". Roll Call, January 11, 2007 In November 2005, she opened an exploratory committee called People for Loretta 2010.[http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_779114.php "Rep. Sanchez ponders move out of House"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184102/http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_779114.php |date=2007-09-30 }} OCRegister.com. Retrieved February 4, 2007. However, in June 2009, she announced she would run for reelection to the House.{{cite web|url=http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/06/24/sanchez-not-running|title=Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez not running for governor | 89.3 KPCC|publisher=Scpr.org|access-date=2010-07-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622014849/http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/06/24/sanchez-not-running/|archive-date=2011-06-22}}

In September 2010, Loretta Sanchez appeared on the Spanish language network, Univisión and said that "the Vietnamese and the Republicans are – with an intensity – trying to take away 'our' seat", referring to her Vietnamese-born opponent, Van Tran.[http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/politics/loretta-sanchez-on-unvision-vi/ "Loretta Sanchez on Univisión: "Vietnamese" Trying to Take Her Congressional Seat Away from Democrats"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923092306/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/politics/loretta-sanchez-on-unvision-vi/ |date=2010-09-23 }}, OC Weekly. September 20, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.My-Thuan Tran (9/25/10) [https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0925-sanchez-vietnamese-20100925,0,2523703.story Rival denounces Rep. Sanchez's comments about Vietnamese] LATimes.com; retrieved September 25, 2010(9/24/10) [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hispanic-congresswoman-says-vietnamese-are-trying-to-take-her-seat/ Hispanic Congresswoman Says Vietnamese Are Trying to Take Her Seat] FoxNews.com Retrieved September 25, 2010. Sanchez also described Tran as "anti-immigrant".

In September, 2011 Sanchez's campaign treasurer, Kinde Durkee, was arrested on suspicion of mail fraud. Sanchez and several others of Durkee's clients found their campaign funds wiped out. Sanchez's chief of staff, Adrienne Elrod, remarked that "Kinde was someone whose services and counsel we trusted for many years. These charges if true are disheartening and a betrayal by a long time Democratic treasurer for many candidates and committees."{{cite news |title=Loretta Sanchez Left With No Campaign Funds, Kinde Durkee Arrested For Fraud |first=Paige |last=Lavender |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/09/loretta-sanchez-kinde-durkee-campaign-fraud_n_956001.html |newspaper=HuffPost|date=9 Sep 2011 |access-date=18 Sep 2011}}

{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in California#District 46}}

After the 2010 census, Sanchez' district was renumbered as the 46th district.{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/loretta_sanchez/400356|title=Loretta Sanchez, former Representative for California's 46th Congressional District - GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|language=en|access-date=2018-10-29}} She was reelected handily, taking 63.9 percent of the vote.[http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-general/12-us-reps.pdf 2012 general election results] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019044155/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2012-general/12-us-reps.pdf |date=October 19, 2013 }}

{{main|2016 United States Senate election in California}}

On May 16, 2015, when talking to a group of Indian Americans, Sanchez made a gesture mocking Native Americans by making a "war cry" that is stereotypically attributed to them.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-rep-loretta-sanchez-insults-native-americans-while-talking-n360271|title=Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez Insults Native Americans While Talking to Indian Americans|publisher=NBC News|date=May 17, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2015}} She described her confusion between Native Americans and Indian Americans prior to a meeting with an Indian-American, saying "I am going to his office, thinking that I am going to meet with a 'woo woo woo woo' (stereotypical Indian war cry) — Right? ... because he said Indian American." Many in the audience were shocked at the gesture, finding it offensive.{{cite news|last=Brumfield|first=Ben|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/17/politics/california-sanchez-gaffe-native-american/index.html|title=Democratic congresswoman apologizes for ethnically loaded gesture|publisher=CNN|date=May 18, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2015}} After initially running away from a reporter who tried to question her about it, she apologized for it on May 17, saying "in this crazy and exciting rush of meetings yesterday, I said something offensive and for that, I sincerely apologize."

Due to Barbara Boxer's impending retirement, the 2016 Senate election in California had the first open seat Senate election in California in 24 years.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/01/08/the-contenders-who-will-run-for-barbara-boxers-senate-seat/|title=The Contenders: Who Will Run for Barbara Boxer's Senate Seat?|date=January 8, 2015|access-date=January 8, 2015|first=Rebecca|last=Ballhaus|work=The Wall Street Journal}} On May 14, 2015, Loretta Sanchez announced her bid for this Senate seat.{{cite news|title=Rep. Loretta Sanchez expected to announce U.S. Senate bid|url=http://www.dailynews.com/government-and-politics/20150514/rep-loretta-sanchez-expected-to-announce-us-senate-bid|access-date=14 May 2015|agency=Los Angeles Daily News|date=14 May 2015}} She competed against Attorney General of California Kamala Harris and thirty-two other candidates in California's top-two primary.

On June 7, 2016, Sanchez finished second in the Open Primary and faced fellow Democrat Harris in the general election.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-senate-primary-election-20160607-snap-story.html|title=Two Democrats will face off for California's U.S. Senate seat, marking first time a Republican will not be in contention|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 8, 2016|access-date=June 8, 2016}}

In the June 2016 primary, with results detailed at the county level, Loretta Sanchez won six counties: Fresno, Imperial, Kings, Madera, Orange, and Tulare counties. With the exception of Orange County, these are all counties with a plurality Hispanic population. Of these six counties, the highest vote percentage was Imperial County at 35.4%.{{cite web|url=http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2016-primary/75-us-senate-formatted.pdf|title=United States Senator (primary results)|publisher=California Secretary of State|author=Alex Padilla|date=July 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/prior-elections/statewide-election-results/presidential-primary-election-june-7-2016/statement-vote/|author=Alex Padilla|publisher=California Secretary of State|title=Presidential Primary Election - Statement of Vote, June 7, 2016|date=July 2016}}

On November 8, 2016, Sanchez lost the U.S. Senate race to Harris. She carried four counties: Fresno, Glenn, Imperial and Madera. She lost her home county, Orange, by seven points.{{cite web

|url=http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/us-senate/

|title=U.S. Senate - Statewide Results

|publisher=California Secretary of State

|author=Alex Padilla

|date=November 2016

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105214455/http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/us-senate/

|archive-date=2010-11-05

}} In her concession speech, she stated that "Although we don't know what our future will be, I can tell you that this is not the last that people will see of me".{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-sanchez-future-20161114-story.html|title=Loretta Sanchez went all-in on a failed bid for California's U.S. Senate seat. Now her next move is unclear|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Sarah D. Wire|date=November 2016|access-date=2020-02-18|archive-date=2019-03-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318041802/https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-sanchez-future-20161114-story.html|url-status=dead}}

Despite losing Orange County overall, Sanchez easily won Garden Grove by a 67%-33% margin, her widest margin of victory for a city in Orange County.{{Cite web| title=Certified statement of the votes cast at the Presidential general election in the County of Orange, State of California | date=2016-11-08 | url=https://www.ocvote.com/fileadmin/live/gen2016/sov.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217082248/https://www.ocvote.com/fileadmin/live/gen2016/sov.pdf | archive-date=2017-02-17}}

In January 2017, Sanchez donated her congressional papers to her alma mater, Chapman University in Orange, California. It encompasses twenty-five boxes of files, papers and committee work which will be available for public view at a later date. Sanchez has been a trustee and regular lecturer at the university.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.chapman.edu/happenings/2017/01/06/former-congresswoman-loretta-sanchez-donates-papers-to-chapman/|title=Former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez donates papers to Chapman|publisher=Chapman University|author=Dawn Bonker|date=January 6, 2017}}

In December 2018, Sanchez announced that she was running for 3rd district Orange County supervisor, in a special election to fill a seat left vacant by Todd Spitzer after his election as the county's new district attorney.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/former-congresswoman-loretta-sanchez-joins-growing-field-for-orange-county-supervisor|title=Former congresswoman Loretta Sanchez joins growing field for Orange County supervisor|date= December 6, 2018|newspaper=Orange County Register|first=Jordon|last=Graham|access-date=6 December 2018}} The election was held on March 12, 2019. Sanchez lost to Irvine mayor Donald P. Wagner but expressed interest in another run for the same seat in the next regular election, in 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/late-vote-count-confirms-irvine-mayor-don-wagner-will-be-new-county-supervisor/ar-BBUWahn|title=Late vote count confirms Irvine Mayor Don Wagner will be new county supervisor|date=March 19, 2018|newspaper=MSN|first=Jordon|last=Graham|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325202742/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/late-vote-count-confirms-irvine-mayor-don-wagner-will-be-new-county-supervisor/ar-BBUWahn|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=dead}}

In September 2017, it was announced that Sanchez would be the executive producer of a new political drama show called Accidental Candidate, which appeared on NBC.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-entertainment-news-updates-loretta-sanchez-nbc-tv-series-1504891516-htmlstory.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=September 8, 2017|title=Former Rep. Loretta Sanchez to executive produce political drama 'Accidental Candidate' for NBC|first=Christie|last=D'Zurilla}} Since leaving the House, she has run unsuccessfully for two local offices in California, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Rancho Santiago Community College District as a college trustee.{{Cite web |url=https://www.loretta.org/ |title=Loretta Sanchez for College Trustee |access-date=2020-12-15 |archive-date=2020-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225113008/https://www.loretta.org/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = California's 47th congressional district election, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = California Democratic Party

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez (incumbent)

| votes = 85,878

| percentage = 69.49

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = California Republican Party

| candidate = Rosemarie Avila

| votes = 31,432

| percentage = 25.43

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = American Independent Party

| candidate = Robert Lauten

| votes = 6,274

| percentage = 5.08

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 123,584

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box turnout no change

| percentage = 57.01

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

| winner = California Democratic Party

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = California's 47th congressional district election, 2010

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez (incumbent)

| votes = 50,832

| percentage = 53.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Van Tran

| votes = 37,679

| percentage = 39.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Independent (politician)

| candidate = Ceci Iglesias

| votes = 7,443

| percentage = 7.7

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 95,954

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = California's 46th congressional district election, 2012

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez (incumbent)

| votes = 25,706

| percentage = 52.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jerry Hayden

| votes = 14,571

| percentage = 29.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = John J. Cullum

| votes = 5,251

| percentage = 10.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Jorge Rocha

| votes = 1,969

| percentage = 4.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Pat Garcia

| votes = 1,852

| percentage = 3.8

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 49,349

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez (incumbent)

| votes = 95,694

| percentage = 63.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jerry Hayden

| votes = 54,121

| percentage = 36.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 149,815

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = California's 46th congressional district election, 2014

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez (incumbent)

| votes = 20,172

| percentage = 50.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Adam Nick

| votes = 7,234

| percentage = 18.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = John J. Cullum

| votes = 5,666

| percentage = 14.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Carlos Vazquez

| votes = 4,969

| percentage = 12.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Ehab Atalla

| votes = 1,835

| percentage = 4.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 39,876

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box open primary general election no change}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez (incumbent)

| votes = 49,738

| percentage = 59.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Adam Nick

| votes = 33,577

| percentage = 40.3

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 83,315

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = United States Senate election in California, 2016 primary{{cite news | url=http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//sov/2016-primary/csv-voter-nominated-candidates.xls | title=CSV Files - Voter Nominated | work=California Secretary of State | date=July 16, 2016 }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Kamala Harris

| votes = 3,000,689

| percentage = 37.9%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez

| votes = 1,416,203

| percentage = 17.9%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Duf Sundheim

| votes = 584,251

| percentage = 7.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Phil Wyman

| votes = 352,821

| percentage = 4.7%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Del Beccaro

| votes = 323,614

| percentage = 4.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Greg Conlon

| votes = 230,944

| percentage = 3.1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Steve Stokes

| votes = 168,805

| percentage = 2.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = George C. Yang

| votes = 112,055

| percentage = 1.5%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Karen Roseberry

| votes = 110,557

| percentage = 1.5%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Gail K. Lightfoot

| votes = 99,761

| percentage = 1.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Massie Munroe

| votes = 98,150

| percentage = 1.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Green Party (United States)

| candidate = Pamela Elizondo

| votes = 95,677

| percentage = 1.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Palzer

| votes = 93,263

| percentage = 1.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Ron Unz

| votes = 92,325

| percentage = 1.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Don Krampe

| votes = 69,635

| percentage = 0.9%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Eleanor García

| votes = 65,084

| percentage = 0.9%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jarrell Williamson

| votes = 64,120

| percentage = 0.9%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Von Hougo

| votes = 63,609

| percentage = 0.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = President Cristina Grappo

| votes = 63,330

| percentage = 0.8%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jerry J. Laws

| votes = 53,023

| percentage = 0.7%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Mark Matthew Herd

| votes = 41,344

| percentage = 0.6%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Peace and Freedom Party

| candidate = John Thompson Parker

| votes = 35,998

| percentage = 0.5%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Ling Ling Shi

| votes = 35,196

| percentage = 0.5%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Herbert G. Peters

| votes = 32,638

| percentage = 0.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Emory Peretz Rodgers

| votes = 31,485

| percentage = 0.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Mike Beitiks

| votes = 31,450

| percentage = 0.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Clive Grey

| votes = 29,418

| percentage = 0.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Jason Hanania

| votes = 27,715

| percentage = 0.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Paul Merritt

| votes = 24,031

| percentage = 0.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Jason Kraus

| votes = 19,318

| percentage = 0.3%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Don J. Grundmann

| votes = 15,317

| percentage = 0.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Scott A. Vineberg

| votes = 11,843

| percentage = 0.2%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Tim Gildersleeve

| votes = 9,798

| percentage = 0.1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Gar Myers

| votes = 8,726

| percentage = 0.1%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Billy Falling (write-in)

| votes = 87

| percentage = 0.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = No party preference

| candidate = Ric M. Llewellyn (write-in)

| votes = 32

| percentage = 0.0%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Alexis Stuart (write-in)

| votes = 10

| percentage = 0.0%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,512,322

| percentage = 100%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{multiple image

|image1=2016 United States Senate election in California results map by county.svg

|width1=250

|alt1=statewide

|caption1=2016 California United States Senate election overall results by county

{{collapsible list

|title=Map legend

|{{legend|#2c5aa0|Harris—70–80%}}

|{{legend|#3771c8|Harris—60–70%}}

|{{legend|#5f8dd3|Harris—50–60%}}

|{{legend|#5fd35f|Sanchez—50–60%}}

|{{legend|#37c837|Sanchez—60–70%}}

}}

|image2=2016CAUSSenGardenGrove.svg

|width2=250

|alt2=Garden Grove

|caption2=2016 California United States Senate election results in Garden Grove by city council district

{{collapsible list

|title=Map legend

|{{legend|#37c8c8|Sanchez—60–70%}}

|{{legend|#5fd3d3|Sanchez—50–60%}}

|{{legend|#5f8dd3|Harris—50–60%}}

}}

}}

{{Election box begin

| title=United States Senate election in California, 2016{{cite web | title = State of California Statement of Vote - November 8, 2016 General Election | url=http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2016-general/sov/2016-complete-sov.pdf | publisher=California Secretary of State | date=November 13, 2016 | access-date=January 4, 2017}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Kamala Harris

| votes = 7,542,753

| percentage = 61.60%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Loretta Sanchez

| votes = 4,701,417

| percentage = 38.40%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 12,244,170

| percentage = 100%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

File:Sanchez Sisters.jpg are the first pair of sisters to serve simultaneously in the United States Congress.]]

Sanchez was married for 14 years to stock broker Stephen Brixey before he filed for divorce on January 15, 2004.{{cite news|last1=Wisckol|first1=Martin|last2=Bunis|first2=Dena|title=..Rep. LORETTA SANCHEZ's spouse seeks divorce..|url=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1230700/posts|access-date=18 May 2015|work=Orange County Register|date=24 September 2004}}{{cite news|last1=Wisckol|first1=Martin|title=Report: Rep. Sanchez to wed retired colonel?|url=http://www.ocregister.com/totalbuzz/strong-468280-sanchez-ocregister.html|access-date=18 May 2015|work=Orange County Register|date=21 August 2013}}

In November 2010, Roll Call and the Orange County Register reported Loretta's engagement to retired Army Colonel Jack Einwechter.{{cite web|title=The Making of the "Loretta Sanchez Scandal"|url=http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/06/02/the-making-of-the-%E2%80%9Cloretta-sanchez-scandal%E2%80%9D/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624015808/http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/06/02/the-making-of-the-%E2%80%9Cloretta-sanchez-scandal%E2%80%9D|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 24, 2009|website=Latino Politics Blog|access-date=18 May 2015|date=2 June 2009}} Einwechter is currently a lawyer practicing in Washington, D.C. The couple were married on July 16, 2011, in a private ceremony in Santa Ana, California.{{cite news|last1=Wisckol|first1=Martin|title=Rep. Loretta Sanchez to wed Saturday|url=http://www.ocregister.com/totalbuzz/strong-468797-einwechter-sanchez.html|access-date=18 May 2015|work=Orange County Register|date=15 July 2011}}{{cite web|last1=Prevatt|first1=Chris|title=Loretta Sanchez Gets Married|url=http://www.theliberaloc.com/2011/07/18/loretta-sanchez-gets-married/|website=Liberal OC|access-date=18 May 2015|date=18 July 2011|archive-date=4 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504084133/http://www.theliberaloc.com/2011/07/18/loretta-sanchez-gets-married/|url-status=dead}}

Loretta's father, Ignacio ("Nacho"), suffered from Alzheimer's disease since 2001, eventually causing his death in 2018.{{cite web|url=http://clas.berkeley.edu/events/fall-2008/conversation-s%C3%A1nchez-sisters|title=Linda and Loretta Sánchez:"A Conversation with the Sánchez Sisters"|date=November 12, 2008|access-date=June 19, 2016|archive-date=August 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810111544/http://clas.berkeley.edu/events/fall-2008/conversation-s%C3%A1nchez-sisters|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=Gangitano |first1=Alex |title=First and Only Father to See Two Daughters in Congress Dies |url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/hoh/first-and-only-father-with-two-daughters-simultaneously-in-congress-dies |access-date=10 April 2019 |work=Roll Call |date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410171453/https://www.rollcall.com/news/hoh/first-and-only-father-with-two-daughters-simultaneously-in-congress-dies |url-status=dead }} She appears briefly in the HBO documentary film, The Alzheimer's Project: Caregivers.{{cite web|url=http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/caregivers.html|title=The Alzheimer's Project: Caregivers}}

The Hispanic Caucus Controversy (see above) was parodied on The Colbert Report on February 7, 2007.[http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=81917 The Colbert Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120804/http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=81917 |date=2007-09-29 }}, perf. Stephen Colbert. Comedy Central. February 7, 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cc.com/video-clips/hx3kkt/the-colbert-report-california-values-watch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414031504/http://www.cc.com/video-clips/hx3kkt/the-colbert-report-california-values-watch|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2016|title=California Values Watch- - Video Clip|website=Comedy Central|date=8 February 2007|access-date=2016-03-30}}

Loretta Sanchez appeared as herself in the September 10, 2007 episode of The Closer entitled "Til Death Do Us Part, Part II". Within the fictional narrative of the show, she was briefly seen on the program Larry King Live being interviewed about a criminal legal case.

While serving as a member of Congress, Sanchez was known for her annual tradition of sending constituents "wacky" "elaborately staged" holiday cards "featuring herself, her family members and her beloved pets." The cards have "cult status in the world of politics." She started in 1998 and continued the tradition through at least 2015. Over 500,000 cards were sent in 2014.{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/rep-loretta-sanchez-carries-on-holiday-card-tradition-without-beloved-cat-gretzky/2011/12/09/gIQAarBSjO_blog.html| title = Rep. Loretta Sanchez carries on holiday card tradition, without beloved cat Gretzky - The Washington Post| newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2014/12/10/loretta-sanchezs-new-holiday-card-does-not-disappoint/| title = Rep. Loretta Sanchez's new holiday card does not disappoint - The Washington Post| newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/2013/12/18/loretta-sanchez-had-to-sell-disney-on-2013-christmas-card/|title = Loretta Sanchez Had to Sell Disney on 2013 Christmas Card|date = 18 December 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2015/12/17/loretta-sanchez-holiday-card-starts-a-break-with-tradition/|title = Loretta Sanchez holiday card starts a break with tradition|date = 17 December 2015}}

• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• Final Report of the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel
• Women in the United States House of Representatives

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Loretta Sanchez}}

• {{C-SPAN|45639}}
• {{Facebook| id=LorettaSanchez}}

{{CongLinks | congbio = s000030 | votesmart = 203 | fec = H6CA46033 | congress = loretta-sanchez/1522 }}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929130758/http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Loretta_Sanchez Profile] at SourceWatch
• {{cite web|title=U.S. Senate Debate|date=October 5, 2016|url=http://www.patbrowninstitute.org/pbi-events/the-2016-u-s-senate-debate/|location=Cal State, Los Angeles|publisher=Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Bob Dornan}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 46th congressional district|years=1997–2003}}

{{s-aft|after=Dana Rohrabacher}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Chris Cox}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 47th congressional district|years=2003–2013}}

{{s-aft|after=Alan Lowenthal}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Dana Rohrabacher}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 46th congressional district|years=2013–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=Lou Correa}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Lynn Woolsey|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
{{small|as Former US Representative}}|years=}}

{{s-aft|after=Susan Davis|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-end}}

{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 105th–114th United States Congress |state=California}}

{{USCongRep/CA/105}}

{{USCongRep/CA/106}}

{{USCongRep/CA/107}}

{{USCongRep/CA/108}}

{{USCongRep/CA/109}}

{{USCongRep/CA/110}}

{{USCongRep/CA/111}}

{{USCongRep/CA/112}}

{{USCongRep/CA/113}}

{{USCongRep/CA/114}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanchez, Loretta}}

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American legislators

Category:20th-century American women politicians

Category:20th-century California politicians

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:21st-century California politicians

Category:American politicians of Mexican descent

Category:American women trade unionists

Category:Candidates in the 2016 United States Senate elections

Category:Chapman University alumni

Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California

Category:Female members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress

Category:Hispanic and Latino American women in politics

Category:Kogod School of Business alumni

Category:People from Anaheim, California

Category:People from Garden Grove, California

Category:People from Lynwood, California

Category:Politicians from Orange County, California

Category:Trade unionists from California

Category:Women in California politics

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives