Joan Milke Flores (May 9, 1936 – December 19, 2020) was an American politician, who served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 15th district from 1981 to 1993.

A member of the Republican Party in a largely Democratic body, she also served as the first freshman president pro tem in half a century.

She then became a clerk in the office of District 15 City Councilman John S. Gibson Jr. and worked her way up to become his chief deputy, a job she held for thirteen years.

"[5] Councilman Gibson told Flores that he would not run for reelection in 1981 if she would be a candidate to succeed him, so she entered the race and won, 10,205 ballots against 9,943 for John Greenwood, her remaining opponent in the June final voting.

[6] It was said that Flores's support in Watts, coupled with endorsements from Gibson and from longtime County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, was a deciding factor in the race.

[9][10] In the first term of her City Council career, Flores was elected by her colleagues to be president pro tem, a post third in line of importance to the Los Angeles mayor.

She carefully tempers her conservative postures (strong police department supporter, anti rent control) to more liberal positions for matters of importance in her district (such as her support of a city holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)[11]Some of Flores's other positions were: Republican Flores ran for California Secretary of State in 1990, losing to March Fong Eu, a Democrat.

Flores drew attention when, "Trailing badly and eager to begin her television advertising campaign," she borrowed $275,000 from Ernest (Tom) Papadakis, a "wealthy friend and longtime political supporter" who owned a chain of liquor stores.