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Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco was sworn into office yesterday at the Irvine City Council Chamber surrounded by family, friends, and community members.
Franco represents Council District 5, which includes the communities of Woodbridge, University Park, Rancho San Joaquin, and portions of Westpark south of Barranca Parkway. Her term runs through the end of 2026.
A longtime Irvine resident and founder of a multicultural public relations agency, Councilmember Martinez Franco serves as a board member for the National Latina Business Women Association-LA and as an ambassador for the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on the City’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee.
“As a woman who once struggled to make ends meet and now has the honor of serving this great City, I understand firsthand the needs of working families,” said Councilmember Martinez Franco. “This role is not about personal recognition. It’s about making sure every resident — especially those often overlooked — has a seat at the table and a voice in the future of Irvine.”
The swearing-in ceremony marked an important milestone in Irvine’s historic transition to district-based representation. It began with the 2024 Charter Amendment that expanded the City Council from five to seven members. In November 2024, the City held its first district-based election with Irvine voters casting ballots for a Mayor-at-large and Councilmembers to represent Districts 1 through 4. In December 2024, the City Council called for a Special Municipal Election to fill a vacancy for Council District 5, resulting in Councilmember Martinez Franco’s election.
A recording of the swearing-in ceremony is available to view at cityofirvine.org/ictv, and photos are available online to view and download.
To learn more about Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco, view her biography.
To locate and learn more about each District, visit cityofirvine.org/yourdistrict.