Yesenia Sanchez

Sanchez was born in Hayward, California. Her father immigrated from Mexico to California as a child. Her mother moved to California from Texas. At the age of 12, Sanchez's family moved to Patterson, California. When Sanchez was a teenager, her parents separated and her family lost their home. Sanchez and her siblings worked to support their family. Sanchez graduated from Patterson High School.[2] Sanchez returned to Hayward as an adult, living out of her car because she could not afford housing.[3]

Sanchez started in the Alameda County Sheriff's Office in 1997 as an entry-level technician.[3] In 2001, Sanchez became a sworn deputy.[3] In 2020, Sanchez became division commander overseeing Santa Rita Jail.[4][5][6]

In August 2021, Sanchez announced that she would run for Sheriff of Alameda County.[3][7] Sanchez campaigned a reform platform to add more resources for inmates, increase transparency of the office, and train deputies to better approach crises.[6] Sanchez criticized the incumbent, Greg Ahern, over multiple lawsuits at Santa Rita Jail concerning the treatment of mentally ill inmates.[5] Sanchez defeated Ahern 52.8%-31.2% percent in the June 2022 primary election, securing a victory and avoiding a November runoff election.[1] Sanchez will be the 23rd Sheriff, and will be the first woman and first Latina to be elected.[6]

As of August 2021, Sanchez lives in Livermore, California.[3] She is married to her husband, Todd, who retired from the Alameda County Sheriff's Department as a sergeant.[3][7] Sanchez is a stepmother to her husband's three daughters from a prior relationship.[3]