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Former Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader running for California’s 34th Senate District

February 8, 2025

After an unsuccessful bid for the seat in 2022, former Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader is making another run for California’s 34th Senate District in 2026.

Shader, a Republican, said she’s running because she’s seen the impact of state laws on cities and residents and wants to play a role in shaping policy. A longtime North Orange County resident, Shader served on the Placentia City Council for eight years before terming out last year.

“I really feel that Sacramento is not representing north Orange County well,” she said. “I’m a business owner, and I feel strongly that our businesses are not being supported … by the regulations that are coming out of our government.”

That’s why Shader said she’s pledged to visit 100 businesses in 100 days across the 34th District, which includes the northern Orange County cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim, Placentia, Fullerton, Buena Park, La Habra and parts of Orange, and South Whittier in Los Angeles County.

“I’m going directly to them to find out where they need help, where things have hurt and to see if there are things that we can do to try to change that,” she said.

So far, Shader has visited about 20 businesses and said many have shared similar concerns about the “lack of thought” behind some regulations coming out of Sacramento. One example Shader pointed to is the $20 an-hour minimum wage requirement for fast food workers, which took effect last April.

“That’s affected what they have to charge for their food,” she said.

Shader said she has met with businesses across various industries, including cafes, restaurants, biodiesel providers, home health care companies and small manufacturers. Some business owners told her that their colleagues in the same industries have opted to leave the state in the last several years.

That’s not to say Shader opposes all regulation — she said she simply believes some have become too burdensome for business owners. She said she sees herself as a catalyst for change, working to find a balance between necessary laws and a business-friendly environment.

“I’m learning a lot from all these businesses, and I think by the time I get to the end of 100, I’m going to have a really good plan for small businesses,” she said.

So far, two other candidates have also said they are running for the 34th Senate District: former Democratic state Sen. Josh Newman and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, D-Anaheim.

Shader entered politics in 2016 following a City Hall embezzlement scandal, where a finance services manager stole approximately $5 million in public funds.

In 2022, she ran against incumbent Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, but lost in the general election, receiving 41.2% of the vote to Umberg’s 58.8%. Umberg is set to term out in 2026.

Democrats hold a registration advantage in the district. As of the latest voter registration data from the secretary of state in late October, 46.75% of registered voters are Democrats, 24.02% are Republicans and 23.26% have no party preference.

In addition to affordability and supporting small businesses, Shader said homelessness is a key issue for her. In the 34th District, Santa Ana and Anaheim have consistently recorded some of the highest homelessness rates in Orange County.

Homelessness is an epidemic in California, with billions of dollars spent each year with no sign of progress, Shader said.

“I think a lot of it is accountability. We’ve thrown a lot of money at it — and it does take money because we’re helping people … that have really serious needs,” she said.

Shader said she’s unsure yet about cutting homelessness funding but said she supports requiring organizations that receive it to demonstrate measurable success.

Orange County Register

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Former Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader running for California’s 34th Senate District

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