2026

Below you will find every single race that can be found in San Clemente, based on the cities covered by the respective agencies. Not all candidates may be on your ballot, but every candidate on your ballot will be here.

If you don’t see a race or a candidate on here that you expected to, it may be the seat is unopposed and not on the ballot.

Click the “+” next to each name to learn more about the candidates.

San Clemente

City Council Race

  • San Clemente City Council District 1 Candidate city election page


    Candidate Statement:

    “STEVE CAMP | AGE: 68 | Architect/Business Owner

    For more than 31 years, Steve Camp and his family have called San Clemente home. A lifelong surfer, Steve and his wife of 42 years designed and built their home here and raised their three children in this community.

    After more than five years of service on the City’s Planning Commission and Design Review Subcommittee, Steve is running for City Council to give back to the community that has given his family so much.

    As a Planning Commissioner and Design Review Chair, Steve has worked to protect San Clemente’s neighborhood character while navigating state housing mandates and reviewing major hotel, mixed-use, and community projects.

    A local architect for over 36 years, Steve founded a firm employing ten professionals. His experience leading a business through multiple recessions, managing complex projects, and working with police, fire, and public safety agencies has prepared him to make sound, fiscally responsible decisions.

    On the City Council, Steve will bring that same practical, thoughtful approach to protecting our neighborhoods, strengthening public safety, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and preserving the character and quality of life that make San Clemente special.

    Steve has the experience and commitment to help protect the community we all love.

    Steve Camp, AIA”


    Email: stevec@elementsarch.com (listed as the campaign contact on his campaign site; it is at his architecture firm's domain). source


    Campaign Website: https://campforcitycouncil.com/

    Priorities:

    His site lists "Seven commitments, rooted in three decades of service to our coastal community."

    • Safe Neighborhoods and Beaches for All

    • Protecting Our Small-Town Coastal Character

    • Compassionate, Accountable Homelessness Solutions

    • Responsible, Transparent Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars

    • Local Control Over Our Community's Future

    • Safeguarding Our Coastline for the Next Generation

    • Supporting Strong Families and Community Values


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    Camp is an Aliso Viejo-based architect who has served on San Clemente's Planning Commission since 2021. This is his first run for office; no prior candidacies were found as of 10/05/2026. He is one of three District 1 candidates, with Aaron Washington and Donna Vidrine, in the city's first by-district council election. city election page source

    • Appointed to the Planning Commission by the City Council, June 8, 2021. In the written ballot, Duncan, Ferguson, James and Knoblock listed him; Ward did not. Duncan moved to give the remaining long term (to June 30, 2023) to Cameron Cosgrove. Knoblock's substitute motion, seconded by Ferguson, gave it to Camp instead. It carried 3-2, with Duncan and Ward voting no. minutes He assumed office July 1, 2021. Form 700

    • Reappointed June 5, 2023, to a term ending June 30, 2025. All five councilmembers listed him; Knoblock moved and Loeffler seconded, and it carried 5-0. Aaron Washington and Shane Hirschman were among the other applicants. Minutes 

    • Reappointed June 17, 2025, to a term ending June 30, 2027. Mayor Pro Tem Enmeier's substitute motion, seconded by Loeffler, appointed Camp and Brett Freeman. It carried 4-1, with Mayor Knoblock the only no vote. Minutes 

    • Knoblock now endorses him. Knoblock is the first name on Camp's endorsement list. Source 

    • His church. Camp's campaign site says he worships at Calvary South OC in San Clemente, and the church's senior pastor, John Randall, is among his listed endorsers. (campaign site) The church's website lists "Salt & Light" (Salt & Light SOC) among its ministries (church site). Salt & Light SOC describes itself as "an Affiliate of TPUSA Faith" and says it "proudly feature content of" Heritage Action (the 501c4 of Heritage Foundation), Save California, Election Integrity Project and PERK (About). Its resource page titled "SEL - CRT- QuEER Theory (A.K.A TransGender)" includes a section headed "TRANS KIDS: THE MEDICAL SCANDAL" and a graphic titled "Network of theTransgender Empire" (page). The church has also hosted Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. In January 2021 it held a Q&A with Kirk, Randall and Pastor Rob McCoy (church blog). After Kirk was killed in September 2025, it organized a vigil at the Outlets at San Clemente, and its post called Kirk "a friend to our ministry" (church blog; church blog). We found no evidence that Camp is personally involved with Salt & Light SOC or the church's Kirk events, or has endorsed their content. This describes his church and its pastor, not his own statements.

    • Financial disclosures. He has filed Form 700s since taking office in 2021, plus a candidate statement on July 23, 2026. city folder candidate Form 700

    • LGBTQ+-related conduct by Camp himself: no statements, votes, posts or event appearances on Pride, LGBTQ+ or school gender issues were found as of 10/05/2026. The only LGBTQ+-related material found is on his church's listed ministry, described above.

    Social Media Links:


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    These are follows only; they show the account follows the other, nothing more.

    • Instagram: Victor Cabral (mayoral candidate, who endorses Camp) Instagram endorsements

    • Instagram: Calvary South OC (his church; see "His church" above)

    • Instagram: Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for governor whom President Trump has endorsed (Ballotpedia)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    Camp's on-the-record words come mostly from his Planning Commission and Design Review work, as quoted by the San Clemente Times. All are about project design, scale and process. No public comments by him at council meetings were found. SC Times, Jan. 26, 2023

    • On MemorialCare's proposed 250-unit senior housing project, joint council–Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 31, 2022: “I think we’re pretty clear that it’s out of scale, it’s too big, and yet it kept coming back as the same size, same number of units, same density,” ... “Is there a reason for that? Where do we get 250 units and why is that an absolute necessity?” SC Times, Sept. 2, 2022

      • Context: the project included 13 very-low-income units. On Oct. 5, 2022, the Planning Commission unanimously declined to recommend it; the SC Times lists "Chair Pro Tem Steven Camp" as absent from that meeting. SC Times, Oct. 7, 2022

    • On Olen's 16-unit density-bonus project next to Historic City Hall, DRSC, Feb. 14, 2024: he called it a "tough sell," and said: “I think you have a rare opportunity here to really do something to enhance our city, to make (the property) an iconic location that still is a money-maker.” SC Times, Feb. 27, 2024


    Endorsed by:

    • The Republican Party of Orange County lists "City Council, District 1 — STEVE CAMP" under San Clemente in its official 2026 general-election voter guide. source

    • Steve Knoblock, San Clemente mayor pro tem (District 2 candidate) source

    • Victor Cabral, councilmember and former mayor (mayoral candidate) source

    • Laurie Davies, Assemblywoman, 74th District source

    • Orange County Firefighters, IAFF Local 3631 (the union's committee also gave him $5,900; see Follow the Money) source · Form 497

    • Cameron Cosgrove, chair of the San Clemente Planning Commission source

    • John Randall, senior pastor, Calvary South Orange County source

    • See his full endorsements list


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    Camp has not held elected office. His record is as a planning commissioner, and the city's online Planning Commission minutes cover only February 2024 to September 2025; none from 2021–2023 or 2026 are posted. Most items in those minutes passed unanimously, and no split vote with Camp on the losing side was found. city Agenda Center

    • In June 2025, he seconded Resolution PC25-007, letting tattoo parlors be treated as a "personal services" use in the West Pico Corridor Specific Plan. It carried 5-0. minutes

    • In August 2025, he seconded Resolution PC25-009, clarifying how projects in planned residential developments without development standards are processed. It carried 6-0. minutes

    • In August 2025, presiding as vice chair, the commission approved 6-0 the Hanson Hotel, a 61-room hotel at Avenida Pico and El Camino Real (25% affordable, with a rooftop bar). A UNITE HERE representative spoke against it on environmental-review grounds. The minutes say Camp "expressed excitement for the proposed gateway opportunity." minutes


    Follow the Money: via the link

    San Clemente posts council candidates' filings on the city clerk's site, not NetFile. Camp's committee is "Camp for San Clemente City Council 2026" (FPPC ID 1487361). It qualified Feb. 6, 2026, and Camp is his own treasurer. Form 410 · amendment · folder

    2026 campaign, through Sept. 25, 2026. He reported 28,875incontributionsthroughSept.18(12,650 from February to June 30; $16,225 from July 1 to Sept. 18), $3,868.21 in spending, and $25,006.79 cash on hand. A Form 497 filed Sept. 25 added $2,500. He gave his own campaign $2,500. His largest single contributions are $5,900 from the firefighters' union committee and $5,900 from one individual. Form 460, July 29 · Form 460, Sept. 18

    Non-individual contributors:

    • $5,900 from Orange County Firefighters, IAFF Local 3631, Sept. 1, 2026 Form 497 · Form 460

    • $2,500 from "The Coastal Rights Coalition," Sept. 24, 2026, coded SCC ("Small Contributor Committee" in the form's legend) Form 497

    • $1,000 from Spencer Group, LLC (San Juan Capistrano), May 2026 Form 460 · Form 497

    • $500 from the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs PAC, Sept. 14, 2026 Form 460

    Notable spending (July 1 to Sept. 18): $1,000 to Christopher Jones Consulting (campaign manager), $1,706.90 for signs from CA Outdoor Graphics (two purchases), $800.45 for door-hanger printing, and $209 to Educate Your Vote for an ad. Form 460

  • San Clemente City Council District 1 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “DONNA VIDRINE | Nurse/Business Owner

    My name is Donna Vidrine, and I am running to represent you on the San Clemente City Council. I believe government should serve the public interest. Our community deserves thoughtful leadership focused on local priorities. I will work to improve transportation and parking, support local businesses, expand opportunities for working families, make first-time homeownership more attainable, recognize the needs of seniors, protect our coastline, reduce wildfire risk, and responsibly advance the removal of nuclear waste from San Onofre.

    For decades, I have developed my leadership skills as an Air Force Captain, healthcare professional, nursing administrator, and small business owner. These experiences have taught me to listen carefully, solve complex problems, make difficult decisions, and bring people together to achieve practical, implementable solutions. The decisions we make today will shape San Clemente’s future for generations.

    Public service is a calling. You deserve a council member who is accessible, transparent, ethical, and committed to serving every resident. I am beholden to no special interests and will work every day to preserve, protect, and enhance the quality of life that makes San Clemente such a special place to call home.

    I respectfully ask for your vote.

    Donna Vidrine

    donnavidrineforcitycouncil.org”


    Email: Donna@Vidrine.com, the contact address listed on her campaign site. source


    Campaign Website: https://www.donnavidrineforcitycouncil.org/

    Posts from the blog on her campaign site, quoted from archived copies:

    • "Why Local Governance Matters" (Oct. 21, 2025), announcing her campaign: “I believe in community-centered leadership — listening, respecting, finding consensus, and taking responsible action.” captured Feb. 7, 2026

    • "From Violence to Unity" (Sept. 24, 2025): “We need sensible gun laws. We need to respect our immigrant neighbors who contribute with their hard work, raise families, and follow our laws.” And: “Right now, what we see too often is a show of force, incompetence, and mass deportations that waste tax dollars and create more problems rather than solving them.” captured Feb. 7, 2026

    • "America Deserves Better" (Oct. 24, 2025), on the federal shutdown: “Enough is enough. America deserves leadership that serves the people — not self-interest.” captured Feb. 7, 2026

    • "Elections 2026" (Nov. 9, 2025), on Prop 50: “This isn’t just an anti-Trump wave — it’s about economics, affordability, and frustration among everyday Americans.” captured Jan. 16, 2026

    • "Health Care Costs Are Out of Reach for Families" (Dec. 27, 2025): “Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare hurt those who need care most.” captured Jan. 16, 2026

    • "Protect San Clemente from Unnecessary Federal Surveillance" (Feb. 12): “San Clemente should be a city that values local control, transparency, and civil liberties, not a testing ground for federal systems without accountability.” captured March 15, 2026

    • "TARRIFS" (sic) (Feb. 24), on the Supreme Court's tariff ruling: “The president’s response to the decision showed open contempt for the justices who opposed him, rhetoric that risks damaging public trust in the Court’s legitimacy.” captured March 15, 2026

    • "Pause the Camera, Listen to the Community" (May 20): “Public safety and public accountability should go hand in hand.” captured June 12, 2026


    Priorities:

    Her current campaign site groups her priorities under three headings:

    • Local Economy, Families & Quality of Life

    • Transportation, Safety & Preparedness

    • Protecting San Clemente

    An earlier version of the site, no longer live, listed five: Community Leadership; Public Safety & Preparedness; Protect Our Environment; Fiscal Responsibility; and Health & Senior Services. archive


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Vidrine is a nurse, nursing administrator and small-business owner who served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. This is her third run for San Clemente City Council and her first under district elections; she faces Aaron Washington and Steve Camp in District 1. source city election page She is a frequent public commenter at council meetings, mostly on homelessness, gun policy, election and voting items, and the Border Patrol coastal camera (see Public Voting Record).

    • In 2020 she ran in the special election for the short two-year term, a single seat. The Registrar of Voters' certified results gave her 6,222 votes (18.30%), third behind Steve Knoblock (8,040) and Jim Dahl (7,358). certified results, city agenda packet, Dec. 1, 2020 She had led on election night. Voice of OC

    • In 2022 she ran at large for one of three seats and finished fourth with 9,217 votes, 23 behind Knoblock's 9,240 for the third seat. Voice of OC noted she was "endorsed by the county Democratic Party." SC Times (archived) Voice of OC

    • "She served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force," per the SC Times. source

    • She founded the San Clemente Homeless Collaborative around 2019 and co-chairs it with Tom Streeter, whom the SC Times describes as a conservative Republican; the paper described Vidrine as "left-leaning." source The group has pushed for inclement-weather shelter, safe parking, and portable restrooms and showers. source

    • Vidrine is a member of Christ Lutheran Church in San Clemente, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) (church site), and the church's website lists her as President of its Church Council (Our Leaders). The church's listed ministries include the Shepherd's Fund, which it says it "started … in 2014 to help our friends in transition from life on the streets," and Laundry Love; it lists Family Assistance Ministries and San Clemente Military Family Outreach among the organizations its members support (Shepherd's Fund; Outreach). The church's About page says: "We affirm that everyone is welcome — including families, retirees, people in recovery, and LGBTQIA+ siblings." ReconcilingWorks lists the congregation as a "Reconciling in Christ" partner, in a listing last updated in 2017 (RIC locator). The OC Register has described Vidrine as "active in its homeless outreach" (OC Register).

    • At a Sept. 2022 candidate forum she proposed switching San Clemente to by-district elections. SC Times (archived) The council adopted districts in Aug. 2023.


    Social Media Links:


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • PierPride Foundation (Facebook; a nonprofit that supports the San Clemente pier)

    • Katrina Foley (Facebook; Orange County Fifth District Supervisor)

    • Democratic Women of South Orange County (Facebook; a Democratic club, which also contributed to her 2026 campaign; see Follow the Money) Form 497


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    Vidrine has a long public record as a resident speaker and letter writer. Her one explicitly LGBTQ+ statement found is a January 2025 letter to the editor; her other comments center on abortion rights, voting, homelessness and the Border Patrol coastal camera. letter, Jan. 30, 2025

    • In a Jan. 30, 2025 letter to the San Clemente Times, "People's Rally in San Clemente," promoting the People's March and rally, she wrote: “We value women’s rights, we defend reproductive freedom, we value the rights of immigrants and refugees, we speak up to end school censorship, we take action to safeguard our voting rights, we continue fighting with LGBTQ+ community for equality and justice.” Also: “With the re-election of Trump, the stakes have gotten higher and the need for bold resistance is more urgent than ever.” And: “We are a movement of people fighting together for Freedom, Justice, Fairness and equality for all!” source

    • At the Aug. 6, 2022 special council meeting on Knoblock's "Sanctuary for Life" abortion resolution, among nearly 50 speakers, she said: “As a woman, a mother, a nurse, and a health care professional, I find that a woman’s right to choose to carry a baby should not be dictated by politicians, particularly men who will never have to confront the difficult decision to carry or terminate a pregnancy.” She added: “Show me one other effort you have spearheaded to ensure that the welfare, safety, and health of the born who reside in San Clemente is addressed.” OC Register, as reprinted by Planned Parenthood Her campaign's posting of the full remarks also includes: “I’m a woman of faith. A pro-choice woman of faith.” archive

    • At the Aug. 16, 2022 council meeting, on Knoblock's election resolution, the minutes record that she "spoke in opposition to the Resolution," which called on the Legislature "to Enhance the Confidence of the Voting Public in Election Outcomes Through Improved Election Processes"; the council voted 3-2 to table it, with Ferguson and Knoblock voting no. minutes Her campaign site posted her remarks, which it described as being on voter ID: “Imposing new, stricter ID requirements for mail-in-ballots or in-person voting is just a cheap political trick designed to prevent or discourage eligible minority voters and others from registering to vote or casting their ballot.” She asked the council to “create stronger voter education and outreach efforts in our community to encourage every eligible voter in our city to vote.” archive

    • On Feb. 18, 2025, opposing a proposed ordinance regulating food and drink distribution on public property (No. 1788), during public comment: “If I wish to share a sandwich or bottle of water with someone on the street who appears hungry or offer a cold drink to someone without shelter on a hot day, this ordinance would make my actions unlawful and subject to enforcement and financial penalties,” and “This is not only an infringement on personal freedoms, but also an affront to my values and faith.” source

    • In a Jan. 20, 2026 written comment on the Border Patrol coastal camera lease: “The people of San Clemente do not want a federally controlled surveillance system in our city with no city oversight.” She urged the council to stop coordinating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the camera. source

      • Context: the council approved the lease that month. ABC7


    Endorsed by:

    For 2026, the Democratic Party of Orange County lists her as its endorsed candidate for "San Clemente City Council, Area 1." Her campaign site has not published a 2026 endorsement list. DPOC campaign site

    • Democratic Party of Orange County (2026) source


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    Vidrine has never held elected office or served on a city body with recorded votes, so she has no voting record. The positions below are ones she took as a public commenter, as recorded in the council minutes (the quoted wording is the clerk's summary, not hers). minutes, 2021 minutes, 2023

    • In May and June 2021, she opposed the council's non-binding resolution supporting the right to bear arms, which declared San Clemente a "Second Amendment Freedom City." The minutes say she "asserted that 2nd Amendment sanctuaries are orchestrated by the gun lobby and hinder common sense gun safety laws." 5/18/2021 6/1/2021

    • In April 2023, during the debate on Resolution 23-17 opposing AB 1078, a state bill on school instructional materials and "the right to an accurate and inclusive curriculum" (bill text), the minutes record her only as saying "that public speakers need to be shown respect by the audience and Councilmembers." They record no position from her on the bill. The council adopted the resolution 3-2. minutes

    • In February 2024, she spoke against the council's resolutions opposing ACA 13 and ACA 1 (both adopted 3-2). minutes

    • In September 2025, she was among the speakers opposed to Resolution 25-139 opposing Proposition 50, the congressional redistricting measure (adopted 4-1). minutes

    • In January 2026, she was among the speakers opposed to the Border Patrol coastal camera lease. minutes

    • In June 2026, she "spoke in support of the proposed Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Usage and Privacy Policy 403-1" (Resolution 26-108). minutes

    • In September 2026, she was among the speakers opposed to Resolution 26-146 on Proposition 39, the voter ID and citizenship verification measure (adopted 3-1-1). minutes


    Follow the Money:

    San Clemente posts council candidates' filings on the city clerk's site. Her committee is "Donna Vidrine for City Council 2026," FPPC ID 1461373; the figures below cover filings through the Form 460 filed Sept. 24, 2026. folder

    • $1,500 from Democratic Women of South Orange County (FPPC ID 1390408), Aug. 20, 2026 (Form 497). It was reported again on the Sept. 24 Form 460; it is one contribution.

  • San Clemente City Council District 1 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “AARON WASHINGTON | AGE: 61 | Deputy Program Manager

    I am a retired U.S. Navy Commander with 35- years of honorable service. I have been a San Clemente resident since 2006. My credentials are solid: Born at Naval Hospital Bremerton, raised in San Diego; Enlisted two days after high school graduation in 1982; Completed my B.S. degree in 2007 without breaking service; my highest award: Legion of Merit. This isn’t my first time! I ran in 2020 and 2022, and since then I’ve stayed deeply involved: San Clemente BPRCA; Human Affairs; Coastal Advisory; Board of Directors for San Clemente Men’s Golf Club. I put in work even when I wasn’t on council. I’m not a tourist showing up just for election season. Platform: Public Safety Fully Funded; Pro-small business; Oppose tax increases (protecting fixed incomes); No Toll Road; Protect Beaches and coastal erosion without raising taxes. Support school safety and preserve San Clemente’s “small village by the sea” character, restrict overdevelopment. My military background gives me real leadership and logistics experience—not theoretical, actual command experience. The fact I still hold an active security clearance tells you that I am not some retiree coasting on past glory; I am still sharp and trusted.”


    Email: aw.sanclemente.ca@gmail.com (campaign) source


    Campaign Website: https://www.washingtonforsanclemente.com/

    Priorities:

    His site lists six "Core Priorities for San Clemente":

    • Save Our Beaches & Coastline

    • Uncompromising Public Safety

    • Coastal Rail Resiliency

    • Environmental Health & Landfill Protection

    • Preserving the “Spanish Village by the Sea”

    • Government Transparency

    The longer "About" page splits these into seven, listing "Protecting Against Toxic Pesticides" and "Prima Deshecha Landfill" separately. His ballot statement adds "No Toll Road" and "Oppose tax increases." source


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Washington is a retired Navy commander and defense contractor making his third run for council, this time in San Clemente's first by-district election. He faces Steve Camp and Donna Vidrine in District 1. source Since 2021 the City Council has appointed him to four city panels, and he has applied for several others.


    Social Media Links:

    • Campaign Facebook: "Commander- Ret. Aaron Washington For San Clemente City Council," tagline "35-year Navy veteran and 20 year resident of San Clemente!" (linked from his campaign site)

    • Personal LinkedIn: "Aaron Washington (CDR-Ret)"


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    Washington has spoken often at City Council meetings as a resident, mostly on public safety, homelessness, beach sand and development. The city minutes record these comments as the clerk's summaries, not his own words; the summaries are quoted below as written. minutes archive

    • On June 1, 2021, the minutes list "Aaron Washington, San Clemente" among 18 speakers in support of a non-binding resolution "DECLARING THE CITY TO BE A "SECOND AMENDMENT FREEDOM CITY."" minutes (pp. 13–14)

      • Context: the council adopted it 3-2, with Duncan and Ward voting no, after amending it to add support for background checks on all firearm purchases. Rick Loeffler, now mayor, also spoke in support; Donna Vidrine, Washington's District 1 opponent, spoke in opposition. minutes

    • In his April 14, 2022 letter announcing his run: “In these troubled times, San Clemente needs leadership. I can provide it.” His listed issues included “Supporting the OC sheriffs policing our city to prevent the crime plaguing other cities,” “Solving the homeless problem,” and “Getting a trauma center here so emergency patients don’t have to be hauled to distant hospitals.” source

    • On Feb. 7, 2023, on homelessness: "Aaron Washington opined that homeless individuals are being dropped off at the pier; urged Council to include homeless efforts on the City's website." Two weeks later he "opined that homeless individuals who refuse assistance can be cited for other violations." Feb. 7 minutes Feb. 21 minutes


    Endorsed by:

    His 2026 campaign site lists former state Sen. Pat Bates at the top, four current and former local officials, local business owners and a long list of community supporters. It lists no party, union, PAC or law-enforcement organization. source

    • Hon. Pat Bates, former state senator

    • Hon. Brian Maryott, former mayor of San Juan Capistrano

    • Hon. Howard Hart, San Juan Capistrano councilman and former mayor

    • Hon. Peter Kuo (listed as "Former Vice-Chairman for the CAGOP")

    • Hon. Gene James, former San Clemente councilman and mayor

    • See the complete list on his campaign site


    Candidate in the News:

    • (San Clemente Times) Candidates Tackle Beaches, Business, Growth at San Clemente Chamber Forum Sept. 24, 2026

      • On Measure M, the proposed 1% sales tax for beaches and fire protection, he "raised concerns about increasing taxes and questioned whether the city could make greater use of existing resources and outside funding before asking residents to pay more," and "stressed that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to protecting San Clemente's beaches." On housing, he said it "should be placed in areas where development would not significantly affect views or open space." (Reporter's paraphrase.)

    • (San Clemente Times) City Council Hopefuls Answer Pressing Questions in First Candidate Forum Sept. 19, 2022

      • Per the reporter's paraphrase, he "stressed looking at the budget" to fund public safety "without increasing taxes," proposed working with Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano to use county-owned land for a homeless shelter, and said councilmembers should recuse themselves from matters involving their campaign funders.

    • (Orange Juice Blog, Opinion) Status of Local Races, Updated Aug. 11 Aug. 2022

      • Lists him among qualified San Clemente challengers; mentioned only incidentally.

    • (Opinion) (San Clemente Times, letter to the editor by Washington) Letter to the Editor: I’m Running for City Council April 14, 2022


    Public Voting Record:

    • Washington has never held elected office, so he has no council voting record. source


    Follow the Money:

    San Clemente posts council candidates' filings on the city clerk's site, not NetFile. His committee is "Washington for City Council 2026," FPPC ID #1493272. source

    • His Form 460 covering Jan. 1–Sept. 19, 2026 (the city's file label reads "September 4") itemizes no non-individual contributors (PACs, unions, businesses or committees); every itemized contributor is an individual.

  • San Clemente City Council District 2 Candidate, Incumbent source


    Candidate Statement:

    “STEVE KNOBLOCK

    Mayor Pro Tem

    Please consider voting for Steve Knoblock for San Clemente City Council, District 2.

    My commitment has always been to protect San Clemente's exceptional quality of life while ensuring our police officers and firefighters have the resources they need to keep our community safe.

    I helped secure 250,000 cubic yards of sand at the Pier and another 40,000 cubic yards at North Beach to protect and restore our beaches.

    To reduce wildfire risk, I championed a pilot program using goats instead of toxic herbicides or expensive mechanical equipment to clear fire-fuel vegetation in our open-space canyons. The program's success has led to its expansion into HOA canyons and other City properties.

    When Chilean burglary crews targeted our neighborhoods and illegal panga boats used our beaches for criminal activity, I worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help bring ocean-facing cameras to City property in support of law enforcement.

    I also support creating a small dog-friendly beach south of T Street, giving San Clemente's thousands of dog owners a place to enjoy the coast with their pets.

    I would be honored to earn your vote.

    Steve Knoblock

    San Clemente City Council, District 2”


    Email: No campaign email found as of 10/05/2026. As a sitting councilmember, Knoblock can be reached through the City of San Clemente staff directory.


    Campaign Website: No 2026 campaign website found as of 10/05/2026, and his candidate statement doesn't list one. candidate statement

    Priorities:

    Without a campaign website, these are drawn from his candidate statement and the San Clemente Times' candidate overview (Aug. 20, 2026):


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    Knoblock is one of two sitting councilmembers running against each other in District 2. San Clemente is moving from at-large to by-district elections, so he faces Councilmember Mark Enmeier. This November the city will also elect its first directly elected mayor. source

    • This is his second stint on the council. He first served after winning a November 2005 special election. source In October 2008, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the California Council on Criminal Justice, an unpaid post. At that time the San Clemente Times described him as a Republican, an attorney (counsel at Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps since 2007, earlier assistant general counsel at Fidelity National Financial, 2000–2007) and a member of the Orange County Fire Authority board. source

    • 2008 Proposition 8 proposal. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2022: "In 2008, he suggested that the council declare support for Proposition 8, a statewide ballot measure that would have banned same-sex marriage. He failed to gain enough buy-in from his colleagues." The same article reports that in 2008 he "successfully advocated to have the phrase 'In God We Trust' placed on the city's logo." His 2020 campaign site said: "I’m humbled to have sponsored the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” on our City logo." LA Times, Aug. 6, 2022 · 2020 campaign site (archived)

    • State Bar. He has been an active member of the State Bar of California since Feb. 7, 1977, with no discipline shown. State Bar profile

    • The 2020 Trump rally. The LA Times reported that "Knoblock and Hostetter shared the stage at a Donald Trump rally in the city in 2020." It identifies Alan Hostetter as "a resident later criminally charged for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 insurrection." The article says nothing more about the relationship. LA Times, Aug. 6, 2022 (Single source.)

    • Other prior run. He filed to run for Congress (California's 49th District) as a Republican in 2019 and withdrew before the March 2020 primary. FEC · Ballotpedia

    • The 2022 abortion resolution. In August 2022, Knoblock proposed a resolution declaring San Clemente a "Sanctuary for Life." It would have blocked permitting and zoning for abortion facilities in the city. The council voted 3-1 to remove it from the agenda, with Knoblock the only vote to keep it. source (Quotes below.)

    • The switch to district elections. In August 2023, Knoblock cast the only vote against the council conceding to a California Voting Rights Act demand to switch to by-district elections. The council voted 4-1 to make the switch. source

    Social Media Links:

    • none confirmed


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • none confirmed


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On April 2, 2025, while serving as San Clemente's mayor, Knoblock spoke during public comment at an Aliso Viejo City Council meeting. Councilmember Mike Munzing had proposed limiting city-owned flagpoles to federal, state and local flags, which would have ended the Pride flag display at City Hall. Knoblock urged the council to adopt it: “If we’re going to promote conduct, why wouldn’t we rather fly flags for first responders, veterans, service clubs, any other group that actually does something beneficial for the city?” He went on: “Please, do not promote the profane by sending a message to our children that the full force and gravitas of our community advocates for the sexual preferences of a few.” source 

      • Context: after hours of debate, Munzing moved to withdraw his own resolution after midnight, and the ban was not adopted. source

    • In August 2022, Knoblock explained his proposed abortion resolution to Voice of OC: “What it would look like is the city’s position that we don’t want to have city government involved with the destruction of pre-born human life, and that would mean not allowing it through any legal means at the city’s disposal.” In the same article he said, “There is forgiveness in God for the wrongs that have been committed and that the proper response isn’t to hide in shame from the offensive conduct, but rather to acknowledge the wrong and begin to do what’s right, which is to not destroy preborn babies.” source

    • On the CBP coastal camera he proposed, which the council approved in January 2026: “It’s a serious public safety issue, not only for the community, but for the people that are being smuggled ashore.” And: “We’ve had 18 panga landings on our beaches in the last year or so. Over half of all the Mexican pangas landing in Los Angeles and Orange County have happened right here in San Clemente.” source

      • Context: residents who spoke at the meeting raised concerns about privacy and the lack of local oversight. Enmeier, his District 2 opponent, voted no and suggested placing cameras on the bluffs or at the end of the pier instead. source

    • On panga landings, as mayor (Feb. 4, 2025): “Now that the current administration is actually doing something about immigration, the invasion by land has slowed down to a trickle,” Knoblock said, “and now the invasion by sea is happening and the pangas are coming to shore.” source

      • NOTE: A panga is a modest-sized, open, outboard-powered fishing and utility skiff, in this case, with some coastal cities expressing concern at the concept that immigrants are crossing into American waters and landing on South Orange County beaches and entering the country that way.

    Endorsed by:

    • None found as of 10/05/2026. No campaign website was found, and the OC GOP 2026 endorsement guide does not list him.


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    • In September 2026, Knoblock moved, seconded by Cabral, a resolution regarding Proposition 39, which the resolution's title describes as establishing "additional voter identification and citizenship verification requirements". It carried 3-1-1, with Enmeier voting no and Loeffler abstaining. The minutes give only the title, not the council's position. minutes

    • In November 2025, Knoblock voted with a unanimous council (5-0) to approve a three-year contract with Flock Group, Inc. (Flock Safety) for automated license plate recognition (ALPR) services, not to exceed $371,400. meeting record12

    • In June 2026, Knoblock voted with a unanimous council (5-0) to adopt the city's ALPR usage and privacy policy (Resolution 26-108), which sets a two-year minimum retention for ALPR data. meeting record

    • In January 2026, Knoblock moved, seconded by Cabral, a resolution approving a lease letting U.S. Customs and Border Protection install and operate a maritime surveillance system on city property. It passed 3-1-1, with Enmeier voting no and Wu abstaining. minutes

    • In January 2026, on an item supporting Rep. Mike Levin's HR 2862 (Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act), Enmeier moved a resolution opposing new offshore oil and gas drilling. Knoblock offered a substitute, which carried 3-1-1 (Mayor Loeffler no, Enmeier abstaining). It amended the resolution to say the council "opposes any new offshore oil and gas drilling off the Southern California coast and any legislation that opposes the America First Offshore Energy Executive Order." minutes

    • In August 2023, Knoblock cast the lone vote against Resolution 23-85, declaring the city's intention to transition from at-large to district-based council elections (4-1). minutes

    • In February 2025, as mayor, Knoblock cast the lone vote against tabling an item on initiating litigation against the state challenging SB 54, the state "sanctuary" law; the council voted 4-1 to take no action and table it. Legistar record5

    • In June 2021, he seconded and voted for the resolution declaring San Clemente a "Second Amendment Freedom City." It carried 3-2, with Duncan and Ward voting no, after amendments that included adding that the council "is supportive of background checks for all purchases of firearms." minutes (p. 14)

    • In October 2022, he seconded Ferguson's motion to issue a request for proposals for legal services, including in-house and contract attorneys, instead of continuing with the city's contract law firm, Best Best & Krieger. It carried 3-2, with Duncan and Ward voting no. minutes

    • In August 2022, Knoblock cast the lone vote against removing his "Sanctuary for Life" resolution from the Aug. 16 agenda; it carried 3-1, with Ferguson absent. minutes


    Follow the Money: via the link

    San Clemente posts council candidates' Form 460s on the city clerk's site. city clerk

    2026 campaign ("Knoblock for City Council 2026"). The non-individual contributors itemized in his 2026 filings, checked line by line against the scanned forms, are below. Gifts reported on both a Form 497 and the later Form 460 are counted once. folder

    • $5,900 from Orange County Professional Fire Fighters Association PAC, 12/12/2025 Form 460

    • $5,900 from Bianco for Governor 2026 (Chad Bianco's committee for governor), 8/27/2026 Form 497

    • $2,500 from Impact Bearing, Inc., 8/31/2026 Form 497

    • $2,500 from "RVM Community Development, Inc." as typed on the Form 497 (the handwritten 460 reads RHV or RMV), 8/27/2026 Form 497. The entity's exact name is unconfirmed.

    • $1,800 nonmonetary (appetizers) from Bella Collina Golf Club, 8/27/2026 Form 460, Schedule C

    • $1,000 from Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs PAC Form 497

    • $1,000 from Primo Management Partners, Inc.

    Contributions his committee made: $1,000 to Chad Bianco for CA Governor (9/29/2025) Form 460; $1,000 to Tony Strickland for State Senate (3/6/2026) and $1,000 to Laurie Davies for State Assembly (3/12/2026) Form 460.

    Kanan’s Additional Info:

    foot notes:
    1: City of San Clemente, City Council, roll-call votes on File No. 25-367, "Contract Award – Automated License Plate Recognition Services and Authorizing an Exemption to the Formal Solicitation Process," meeting of November 4, 2025, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/eventitems/44780/votes (accessed October 6, 2026).
    2: City of San Clemente, City Council, legislative history of File No. 25-367, "Contract Award – Automated License Plate Recognition Services and Authorizing an Exemption to the Formal Solicitation Process," action of November 4, 2025, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/matters/3137/histories (accessed October 6, 2026). Human-readable record: https://san-clemente.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3137&GUID=E3FFD892-BF85-48F2-874F-A2DA719F69DC.
    3: City of San Clemente, City Council, roll-call votes on File No. 26-255, "Consideration of Resolution 26-108, Adopting Citywide Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Usage and Privacy Policy," meeting of June 2, 2026, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/eventitems/47503/votes (accessed October 6, 2026).
    4: City of San Clemente, City Council, legislative history of File No. 26-255, "Consideration of Resolution 26-108, Adopting Citywide Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Usage and Privacy Policy," action of June 2, 2026, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/matters/3534/histories (accessed October 6, 2026).
    5: City of San Clemente, City Council, legislative history of File No. 24-585, "Consideration of Initiating Litigation Against the State of California, the Governor and the Attorney General Challenging SB 54," action of February 4, 2025, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/matters/2762/histories (accessed October 6, 2026).

  • San Clemente City Council District 2 Candidate, Incumbent


    Candidate Statement:

    “MARK ENMEIER | AGE: 43 | Teacher/Councilmember

      I am a San Clemente resident, born and raised, and a history teacher at San Clemente High School. I now have the privilege of raising my own family in this slice of heaven. In 2022, I was

    elected to the San Clemente City Council. It has been my honor to serve the citizens of this great city. While in office, I have worked to bring more sand to our beaches, increase our trolley lines, reduce homelessness, and create safer roads for our e-bike community. I have also worked with partners to expand recreational amenities, such as new pickleball courts, a pump track, a minigolf course, and a goat grazing program.

      Going forward, I will make sure that San Clemente stays focused on local issues. This includes fire safety and mitigation, continuing sand nourishment and retention, supporting our small businesses and non-profits, keeping our kids safe on our streets, reducing our

    carbon footprint, and protecting our community from pesticides, landfill expansion, and battery farms. I believe that our city is at its best when we focus on what brings us together as a community in order to enhance our quality of life in this amazing place we call home.”


    Email: No campaign email found as of 10/05/2026; the campaign website offers only a newsletter sign-up. As a sitting councilmember, Enmeier can be reached at EnmeierM@san-clemente.org (official). source


    Campaign Website: https://www.enmeier4citycouncil.org/

    • On civility: "The political discourse of our city council meetings is not representative of the spirit of San Clemente." And: "Mark represents all San Clementians, regardless of political party or ideology. The focus will remain on city issues, not national politics." source

    • On homelessness, the site says the city should support nonprofits such as Family Assistance Ministries, which "work to give a hand up, not a handout," and should fund outreach to help "the transient population back to their city of origin." source

    • The site lists no endorsements. campaign site

    Priorities:

    Top-level headings from his campaign website (source):

    • Bringing Civility Back to the City

    • Better Streets (e-bike and road safety)

    • Better Public Transport (extending the trolley east through Pico)

    • Improve Infrastructure

    • Preserve our Greatest Assets (beaches, trails, parks; clean energy)

    • Let's Solve Homelessness in San Clemente

    His 2026 candidate statement adds fire safety, sand nourishment, small businesses and nonprofits, street safety, carbon reduction, and "protecting our community from pesticides, landfill expansion, and battery farms." At the September 2026 Chamber of Commerce forum he backed Measure M, saying the city needs funding for beach replenishment and infrastructure. source


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    Enmeier is one of two sitting councilmembers running against each other in District 2. San Clemente is moving from at-large to by-district elections, so he faces Councilmember Steve Knoblock. source He describes himself as a Democrat: "As an elected official, and as a Democra" source

    • Education and career. The San Clemente Times reports he holds a bachelor's in history and a master's in education from UC Santa Barbara, plus a master's in international affairs from UC San Diego's School of Global Policy and Strategy. The same report says he has taught history for 15 years, 11 of them at San Clemente High. source His campaign site says he was valedictorian at SCHS (2002) and at UCSD, and that he published a paper in the International Journal of Administration and Policy Research; these are his own claims. source

    • Why he first ran (2022). UCSD's GPS News reported that he decided to run after hearing that council members were pushing "to designate the city as a 'Sanctuary for Life' city while simultaneously trying to do away with ballot boxes and mail-in ballots." He told the outlet: "No matter your thoughts on the issues — which, trust me, I have some — they were outside the purview of our city and had no place in our town." source

    • Prior run. He was first elected to the council in November 2022; this is his first re-election bid, and his current term runs to December 2026. source

    • His church. Enmeier's campaign site says he served as an Elder at San Clemente Presbyterian Church from 2015 to 2018 (campaign site); we did not find whether he attends there today. The church belongs to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the Presbytery of Los Ranchos (presbytery listing). Its website lists mission partners including Family Assistance Ministries ("SCPC is one of the founding partner churches of FAM"), the I-5 Freedom Network anti-trafficking group, Pro Deo Foundation, Y-Malawi,and Habitat for Humanity Orange County (Missions). We found no statement on the church's website about LGBTQ+ inclusion in either direction, and it is not listed in the More Light Presbyterians directory of LGBTQIA+-welcoming congregations. We found no evidence that Enmeier is personally involved with any of these ministries. This describes the church he served as an elder, not his own statements.

    • Endorsements he has given. He is listed as "San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Mark Enmeier" among the endorsers in Perry Meade's July 2025 campaign launch for Congress (CA-40, against Rep. Young Kim). source He is also listed on Chris Duncan's State Senate endorsement page.

    Social Media Links:

    The first three are linked from his campaign website's footer. No Threads, Bluesky or YouTube accounts were found as of 10/05/2026. campaign site


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Instagram/Facebook: Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley, a Democrat running for re-election in 2026 against Republican Assemblywoman Diane Dixon (Voice of OC)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On violence against minorities (April 24, 2025). In a San Clemente Times "Council Corner" column listing 15 "I denounce…" statements, item 14 reads: "I denounce violence against any minority regardless of skin color, sexual orientation or religion. Everyone has the right to be treated with fairness and dignity." source

      • Context: this is the only statement of his found that mentions sexual orientation. The same list covers antisemitism, Hamas's Oct. 7 attack, "the death of 50,000 Palestinians," Jan. 6, violence against police officers, and "violence against elected officials, candidates, and judges," naming President Trump, Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Alito, Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi among others. Two residents responded in letters to the editor, one critical (May 1, 2025) and one supportive (May 8, 2025).

    • On the CBP coastal camera (Jan. 20, 2026), after casting the only no vote: "What we're told is that if there is a smuggling event and people come into our city that then they can turn on the cameras to look into our city. But we are just told to trust them on this. And I am all for trust, but with verification." And: "I am fearful that we are giving up our civil liberties for the sake of expedient security without any sort of oversight that goes along with it." source

      • Context: according to the minutes, he presented a PowerPoint titled "Federal Surveillance Lease Proposal" and moved to table the item; the motion died for lack of a second. minutes At a public forum he hosted in spring 2026 he said: "There’s no geo-fencing or audit standards." source

    • From the dais before the mayor vote (Dec. 10, 2024): "I know I said this last year. I'll say it again—I can't wait until 2026 when the population of San Clemente, not us, will have the final say on who the mayor is." He went on: "Only twice in our recent history has a mayor pro tem not been elected as the subsequent mayor. One of those times was because the pro tem was in active litigation against the city. The other was because he was intent on pushing national political issues that divide our community, rather than working toward what unites us." source

    • On SB 54 and joining Huntington Beach's lawsuit (Feb. 4, 2025), after presenting a PowerPoint against joining: local officers' "job is to focus on our citizens, keeping our citizens safe, stopping crime. That’s what they’re supposed to do." The council tabled the item, "with all councilmembers except Mayor Steve Knoblock voting to do so." source

    • On AB 820 (April 2025), after casting the only vote against a letter opposing the bill: “It’s not so much I’m concerned that we won’t be able to facilitate the services to the homeless that are here,” Enmeier said. “I’m more concerned about other cities sending their unhoused populations to us. Especially with the Olympics coming up, that could be a real issue.” Voice of OC

    • On Twitter, as a candidate (Aug. 15, 2022): "Tomorrow night I will be speaking at City Council against Steve Knoblock's draft resolution to limit voter access. His proposition is based on lies and is a waste of time for the City of San Clemente. Time to get him out. #enmeier2022" archived tweet

      • Context: at the Aug. 16, 2022 meeting, the San Clemente Times reported, he said Knoblock and then-Councilmember Gene James were trying to turn the city into a "partisan political petri dish." The council voted the election-security resolution down. source


    Endorsed by:

    His campaign site lists no endorsements. Found elsewhere: campaign site

    • Democratic Party of Orange County (2026): listed as "San Clemente City Council, Area 2: Mark Enmeier." source


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    The city's official roll-call record (Legistar) shows Enmeier voting yes 1,704 times and no 62 times, abstaining 4 times and recusing once, with 21 absences, from December 2022 through September 2026.[1] Some of the no votes were on substitute or procedural motions or on mayor and pro tem nominations. Legistar (CouncilBrief's "0 times voted No" is wrong and is not used.) No council items on Pride flags, Pride Month proclamations, or gender or transgender policy were found in the 2022–2026 record.

    • In November 2025, Enmeier voted with a unanimous council (5-0) to approve a three-year contract with Flock Group, Inc. (Flock Safety) for automated license plate recognition (ALPR) services, not to exceed $371,400. meeting record[2][3]

    • In June 2026, Enmeier voted with a unanimous council (5-0) to adopt the city's ALPR usage and privacy policy (Resolution 26-108; he seconded the motion), which sets a two-year minimum retention for ALPR data. meeting record[4][5]

    • In January 2026, Enmeier cast the only vote against the lease letting U.S. Customs and Border Protection install a maritime surveillance system on city land. It carried 3-1-1, with Wu abstaining. His motion to table the item died for lack of a second. minutes

    • In January 2026, Enmeier moved a resolution supporting Rep. Mike Levin's HR 2862 and opposing new offshore drilling. He abstained on Knoblock's substitute, which kept the drilling opposition but added opposition to "any legislation that opposes the America First Offshore Energy Executive Order." The substitute passed 3-1-1, with Mayor Loeffler voting no. minutes

    • In September 2026, he cast the only vote against a resolution taking a position on Proposition 39 (voter ID and citizenship verification). It carried 3-1-1, with Loeffler abstaining. minutes

    • In September 2026, he moved to have staff draft a policy requiring that all councilmembers be notified of press conferences. A substitute motion to table it passed 3-2, with Enmeier and Wu voting no. minutes

    • In April 2026, he voted to introduce Ordinance 1804 continuing the temporary parklet program; it carried 4-1, with Loeffler voting no. The ordinance was adopted 5-0 on May 5. minutes minutes

    • In September 2025, he cast the only vote against a resolution opposing Proposition 50, the congressional redistricting measure. It carried 4-1. minutes

    • In April 2025, he cast the only vote against sending a letter opposing AB 820 (Pellerin), a bill on transporting homeless people; it carried 4-1. minutes

    • In February 2025, as mayor pro tem, he seconded Loeffler's motion to take no action and table an item on joining litigation against the state challenging SB 54, the state "sanctuary" law. It carried 4-1, with Knoblock voting no. Legistar record

    • In December 2024, he cast the lone vote against amending pickleball and tennis court operations at San Gorgonio Park (4-1). minutes

    • In February 2024, he voted against the city joining an amicus brief in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the U.S. Supreme Court homeless-camping case. It carried 3-2 in closed session, with Duncan and Enmeier voting no. At the same meeting he voted against resolutions opposing ACA 13 (voting thresholds) and ACA 1, both 3-2, and was the lone vote against tabling a review of campaign contribution limits, 4-1. minutes

    • In October and November 2023, he voted against designating Map 109 and adopting the by-district elections ordinance. Both carried 3-2, with Duncan and Enmeier voting no. Oct. 17 minutes Nov. 7 minutes

    • In October 2023, on an item titled "Discussion of a Prohibition on COVID-19 Mask and Vaccine Mandates," he voted against directing the city manager to bring any future COVID-19 mandates or decisions to the council. It carried 3-2. minutes

    • In April 2023, he voted against Resolution 23-17 which was a local city effort in opposing AB 1078 a State Assembly bill which prohibits book bans and textbook censorship with the aim to protect inclusive content regarding ethinicity, race and sexuality. It carried 3-2, with Duncan and Enmeier voting no. minutes

      • Context: the San Clemente Times reported that the bill dealt with school boards' removal of instructional materials and library books and also covered LGBTQ+ representation in instructional materials. SC Times

    • In March 2023, he cast the only vote against directing the city manager to work with the county on housing and shelters "with the direction that no shelters are to be built in San Clemente" (4-1). minutes Two weeks later he voted against tabling a homelessness action plan, which was tabled 3-2. minutes


    Follow the Money: via the link

    San Clemente posts council candidates' filings on the city clerk's site. His committee (FPPC #1452359) was "Enmeier for City Council 2022" and is now "Enmeier for City Council 2026."

    2026 campaign. The committee reported no contributions from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 (Form 460, Feb. 2026; Form 460, July 2026). From July 1 to Sept. 19, 2026 it raised $22,902 and spent $12,619.45 (Form 460, Sept. 24, 2026). Non-individual contributors:

    • $2,000 from Democratic Women of South Orange County (FPPC ID 1390408), Aug. 4, 2026 Form 460

    • $500 from the Orange County Employees Association, Sept. 1, 2026 Form 460

    Later Form 497 reports (Aug. 28 and Oct. 2, 2026) list only individuals (Aug. 28; Oct. 2).


    1. Counts compiled by the researcher from City of San Clemente, City Council roll-call data, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/ (events, eventitems and votes endpoints; data retrieved October 5, 2026). Each roll-call entry recorded for Mark Enmeier from December 2022 through September 2026 was tallied, including substitute and procedural motions and leadership nominations. The figures are a derived summary, not a city-published statistic.↩︎

    2. City of San Clemente, City Council, roll-call votes on File No. 25-367, "Contract Award – Automated License Plate Recognition Services and Authorizing an Exemption to the Formal Solicitation Process," meeting of November 4, 2025, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/eventitems/44780/votes (accessed October 6, 2026).↩︎

    3. City of San Clemente, City Council, legislative history of File No. 25-367, "Contract Award – Automated License Plate Recognition Services and Authorizing an Exemption to the Formal Solicitation Process," action of November 4, 2025, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/matters/3137/histories (accessed October 6, 2026). 

    4. City of San Clemente, City Council, roll-call votes on File No. 26-255, "Consideration of Resolution 26-108, Adopting Citywide Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Usage and Privacy Policy," meeting of June 2, 2026, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/eventitems/47503/votes (accessed October 6, 2026).↩︎

    5. City of San Clemente, City Council, legislative history of File No. 26-255, "Consideration of Resolution 26-108, Adopting Citywide Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Usage and Privacy Policy," action of June 2, 2026, Legistar Web API (Granicus), https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/san-clemente/matters/3534/histories (accessed October 6, 2026).

City Mayoral Race

  • San Clemente Mayor Candidate (Incumbent Councilmember)


    Candidate Statement:

    “VICTOR CABRAL | Councilmember/Attorney/Businessman

    As Mayor and City Councilmember, I prioritized enhancing public safety by hiring additional sheriff officers and creating a Rangers program.

    I continue to fight to preserve our beach community, and as Mayor I helped restore 450,000 cubic yards of sand to our beaches.

    I worked with the Downtown Business Association to bring in new restaurants and shops. I fought to preserve outdoor dining facilities on Del Mar and worked with the North Beach HOA to develop a vibrant Miramar Food Court complex.

    I worked to bring a pickleball complex to San Clemente, add a soccer field, replace turf, and add playground equipment, and I am focused on revitalizing the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

    As a member of the Orange County Fire Authority, I helped station a helicopter in San Clemente to ensure we can respond to fires quickly, and I supported the goat grazing program to clear our hillsides of flammable brush that endangers homes.

    As Vicechair of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station CEP, I worked with federal and state governments to identify suitable sites outside California to move the stored nuclear fuel. And today I am fighting to slow down the landfill expansion adversely impacting Talega.

    A native of California, I earned degrees from the University of California and Harvard.”


    Email: campaign@victorcabralformayor.com (campaign). As a sitting councilmember he can also be reached at CabralV@san-clemente.org. source


    Campaign Website: https://victorcabralformayor.com/

    The site's tagline is "Focused On Local Issues To Preserve San Clemente's Way Of Life." It describes San Clemente as "the very best of what an American city has to offer – a safe place to live and raise our families, educate our children, practice our faith, build successful businesses, and enjoy our beautiful parks and beaches." Cabral calls himself "a fiscal conservative." The 2026 site is largely reworked from his 2022 council site, with one notable wording change: the 2022 fiscal plank promised "no new taxes," while the 2026 version says "That means making every tax dollar count." 2022 site

    Priorities:

    In an Oct. 1, 2026 interview he called beach sand his top priority: "My No. 1 priority is to restore the sand to our beaches." source The priorities listed on his campaign site are:

    • Public Safety and Security

    • Accountability for the City's Management and Operations

    • Govern Within Our Means

    • Support Our Vibrant Business Community

    • Stop Beach Erosion

    • Regional Homeless Solution

    • Slow the expansion of Prima Deshecha Landfill

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Cabral is a first-term councilmember running in San Clemente's first directly elected mayoral race, against former Councilmember Kathy Ward and Arts and Culture Committee member Shane Hirschman. source

    • He holds bachelor's and law degrees from UC Davis and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School. His career includes work as a U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney, counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, chief counsel to the vice chair of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, vice president of public policy at Verizon, and managing partner of the Cabral Group, a consulting firm. He is now a partner in Energy Capital Group, a solar company. source

    • The Republican Party of Orange County lists "Hon. Victor Cabral" among the six Central Committee members for the 74th Assembly District. source

    • LegiStorm states that he "has been registered as a lobbyist or foreign agent." The client details are behind LegiStorm's paywall, and this is the only source found. FEC records list his employer from 2012 to 2015 as Walker, Martin & Hatch. source

    • Voice of OC reported that the firefighters' union "maxed out direct donations to several city council members on their board, including … San Clemente Councilman Victor Cabral," and that "All of them voted yes on the new contract," the 2026 OCFA firefighters' contract. His 2026 filings show $5,900 from the Orange County Professional Firefighters PAC (see Follow the Money). source

    • He is San Clemente's representative on the Orange County Fire Authority board, appointed by the City Council. He has been a board member since January 2025 (source), and the council reappointed him 3-2 on Dec. 9, 2025, with Wu and Loeffler voting no (minutes).

    • His Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700), as compiled by CouncilBrief, lists a 20% interest in Energy Capital Group and his spouse's consulting and speaking business. It also lists investments in GE, Verizon, Navient and Lincoln Educational Services. source

    • He has endorsed Diane Dixon for County Supervisor (source) and David Pan for Congress, CA-46 (source).

    • FEC records show federal political donations from him since 1999, mostly to Republican candidates and committees (including Orrin Hatch, Bush-Cheney '04, Ken Calvert and the Trump campaign committee in 2020), plus two to Democrats (Baca, 2013; Sanchez, 2015). source


    Social Media Links:


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • His campaign Facebook follows no accounts.

    • Note: a post on his campaign Facebook says he is endorsed by Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for governor whom President Trump has endorsed. source

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On April 18, 2023, Cabral seconded a council resolution opposing AB 1078, a state bill that would have required state approval before school districts removed instructional materials or library books. The bill would also have added LGBTQ+ people and people of all gender expressions to the groups that instructional materials must portray accurately. He said: “The government in Sacramento is taking too much control … Cities have to fight for themselves, they have to fight for their colleagues (in) local school boards, and as long as I’m here, I’ll continue to do that.” He added: “I want to keep them that way, (and) I want to keep control at the local level and not have Sacramento make decisions for us about what’s best.” source

      • Context: the resolution passed 3-2. Then-Mayor Chris Duncan called it a “culture war political item,” and Enmeier said it was a school board matter. source minutes

    • On March 7, 2023, during a council debate over cold-weather help for unhoused residents, he said: “I do not want to go down the slippery slope of our local government taking responsibility for what should be a federal and a state and a regional responsibility … It’s the taxpayers that support this city that we have a bigger responsibility to.” Later in the debate he said: “We have great programs … We do not have people dying on our street because they don’t have a poncho and a health bar.” source

      • Context: Enmeier responded, “Someone did die … And they died last year.” Cabral's motion to hire private security to enforce beach ordinances, funded with $50,000 that had been set aside for emergency inclement-weather measures, carried 5-0. minutes

    • In his Oct. 1, 2026 mayoral-bid interview, on homelessness: “I knew it could be fixed with tougher security, real enforcement of the laws on the books, and not just enforcement — the compassionate offering of services.” On housing: “The state has made a mistake in mandating all the affordable housing mandates that they require … I think they have to look at every city as a unique city.” source


    Endorsed by:

    • The Republican Party of Orange County (official 2026 general-election voter guide) source

    • Lincoln Club OC

    • Orange County Young Republicans

    • San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Steve Knoblock (Knoblock has been involved in a lot of far-right actions and organizations, perhaps most notably his effort to ban abortion in the city of San Clemente despite there not being any clinics in the city that perform the procedure in the first place)

    • Lisa Davis, President, Capistrano Unified School District**

    • Jennifer Adnams, Trustee, Capistrano Unified School District**

      • Both of these women campaigned on openly anti-LGBTQ platforms

    • See the complete list on his campaign site


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    • The city's official Legistar record has 1,737 roll-call votes for Cabral from December 2022 to September 2026: 1,684 Aye and 48 No, plus 3 absences, 1 abstention and 1 recusal. (Counts compiled by the researcher from the city's Legistar roll-call data, Dec. 6, 2022 to Sept. 15, 2026, including procedural motions; a derived summary, not a city-published statistic.) source No council votes on Pride flags, Pride Month proclamations or other LGBTQ+-specific items were found. AB 1078 is the closest LGBTQ+-relevant vote.

    • In November 2025, Cabral voted with a unanimous council (5-0) to approve a three-year contract with Flock Group, Inc. (Flock Safety) for automated license plate recognition (ALPR) services, not to exceed $371,400. source (roll-call data, legislative record)

    • In June 2026, Cabral voted with a unanimous council (5-0) to adopt the city's ALPR usage and privacy policy (Resolution 26-108), which sets a two-year minimum retention for ALPR data. source (roll-call data, legislative record)

    • In April 2023, Cabral seconded and voted for Resolution 23-17 opposing AB 1078, the instructional-materials bill described above. It passed 3-2, with Duncan and Enmeier voting no. source

    • In October 2023, he seconded and voted for directing the city manager to bring any future COVID-19 mandates to the council (3-2), under an item titled "Discussion of a Prohibition on COVID-19 Mask and Vaccine Mandates." source

    • In February and March 2024, he voted against Ordinance 1773, a residential safe-storage-of-firearms ordinance proposed by Moms Demand Action. It passed 3-2 both times. source

    • In February 2024, he voted against lowering the city's campaign contribution limit to $1,000 (the motion failed 2-3) and for resolutions opposing ACA 13 and ACA 1 (3-2 each). source

    • In September 2025, he seconded and voted for a resolution opposing Proposition 50, the congressional redistricting measure (4-1, with Enmeier voting no). source

    • In January 2026, he seconded and voted for the lease letting U.S. Customs and Border Protection install a coastal surveillance system on city land (3-1-1, with Enmeier voting no and Wu abstaining). source

    • In September 2026, he seconded and voted for a resolution on Proposition 39, the voter ID and citizenship verification measure. The SC Times reports the resolution supports the measure. It carried 3-1-1, with Enmeier voting no and Loeffler abstaining. source


    Follow the Money:

    San Clemente posts council and mayoral candidates' filings on the city clerk's site. The non-individual contributors itemized in the 2026 filings of "Cabral for Mayor 2026," checked line by line against the scanned forms, are listed below. Gifts reported on both a Form 497 and the later Form 460 are counted once.

    • $5,900 from Orange County Professional Firefighters PAC, 3/16/2026 (Form 460). Voice of OC reports the union "maxed out" donations to him.

    • $5,900 from "The Coastal Rights Coalition," 9/22/2026 (Form 497). A San Clemente 501(c)(4) nonprofit of that name exists, formed in 2017 to fight coastal land-use rules; the match to this donor is by name only.

    • $2,000 from Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (Form 460; also reported on a Form 497). The 460 dates it 8/06 and the 497 dates it 9/17; the filings don't settle whether this is one gift or two.

  • San Clemente Mayor Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “SHANE HIRSCHMAN | Art Director

    My name is Shane Hirschman, and I'm running for Mayor at a pivotal moment in San Clemente's history. This November, residents will elect our first directly elected mayor, giving our community a unique opportunity to shape its future.

    As San Clemente approaches its Centennial in 2028 and prepares to welcome the world as the host of Olympic surfing at Trestles, we have an opportunity to honor our history while protecting our iconic, pristine coastline.

    I am running a grassroots campaign built on approachability, transparency, and public service. As your mayor, I will listen, work collaboratively, and earn the trust of every resident. My goal is to build on what makes San Clemente exceptional while finding practical, creative ways to strengthen our community.

    As an Art Director and member of the Arts and Culture Committee, I have helped organize community events that bring residents together and support local businesses. Those experiences have reinforced my belief that strong communities are built through unity, creativity, and civic engagement.

    The best solutions don't always come from tradition; they come from listening, inclusion, and a willingness to think differently. Together, we can ensure San Clemente remains an extraordinary place to call home for generations to come.”


    Email: shane@shaneclemente.com (campaign) source


    Campaign Website: https://www.shaneclemente.com/

    On his Information page he writes that he was born in Los Angeles, grew up between Orange County and Agoura Hills, and: "I’ve called San Clemente home for more than five years, and after running for City Council in 2022, I’ve remained actively involved in the community." source

    Priorities:

    The headings on his campaign site's Ideas page. His statement also stresses approachability, transparency, the city's 2028 Centennial and Olympic surfing at Trestles.

    • Sand Replenishment (he supports Yes on Measure M)

    • Local Economics and Commerce

    • Decommissioning San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station

    • Surveillance

    • Wedding Bells and Bottom Lines (a proposed event/venue tax)

    • Prima Deshecha Landfill


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • He is one of three candidates for San Clemente's first directly elected mayor, with Councilmember Victor Cabral and former Councilmember Kathy Ward. source source

    • The City Council appointed him to the Arts and Culture Committee at a special meeting on Oct. 30, 2023. He was chosen for the last open seat on a third round of written ballots, 3-2 (Duncan, Enmeier and Loeffler for Hirschman; Cabral and Knoblock for another applicant), and the council then voted 5-0 "to appoint Shane Hirschman to the Arts and Culture Committee for a term set to expire June 30, 2025." minutes He serves as the committee's vice chair. roster

    • He co-founded the monthly San Clemente Art Crawl in the Calle de Los Molinos district. source

    • He studied Design | Media Arts at UCLA, according to his own site and his 2022 SC Times Q&A. source source


    Social Media Links:


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    His public statements come from his campaign site, newspaper questionnaires and interviews.

    • On the coastal surveillance camera, on his campaign Ideas page (2026): “I have concerns about the City Council’s decision to allow a federally operated maritime surveillance system overlooking our coast, particularly when the city has limited control over how that technology may be used.” And: “Public safety is important, but it should not come at the expense of transparency, accountability, and civil liberties.” source

      • Context: the council approved a U.S. Customs and Border Protection camera overlooking the coast in January 2026. ABC7

    • On Measure M, on his campaign Ideas page (2026): “I support the recommendations of both Save Our Beaches and Bring Back Our Beaches in advocating for greater investment in restoring San Clemente’s shoreline, which is why I support a “Yes” vote on Measure M.” source

    • In his October 2022 OC Register questionnaire, asked how he would represent the city's diverse communities: “Because San Clemente is politically an outlier to many of the surrounding cities in Orange County, we need a leader who is willing to listen to many vocal opinions on how the city is being managed. However, I’d like to recalibrate some of the decision-making away from many of the divisive issues facing the country and instead focus on local issues that truly matter.” source

    • On homelessness and housing (2022), to the San Clemente Times: “I’m absolutely in favor of supportive housing and shelters within or near San Clemente, as long as these units have been readapted from commercial vacancies, neglected parcels of land, or other derelict buildings.” He added that “getting our homeless neighbors off the streets is actually the best financial strategy.” source To the OC Register: “Residents should also not fear the stigma of low-income housing in their neighborhoods.” source

    • On the Art Crawl, in a July 2025 SD Voyager interview: “In terms of our art crawl, it’s an absolutely inclusive, non-judgmental group of creatives, so we’d like to think we’re breaking some stereotypes of what large city-dwellers might perceive of San Clemente.” source


    Endorsed by:

    • The Democratic Party of Orange County lists him for San Clemente mayor in its 2026 endorsements. source

    • South OC Young Democrats and Democratic Women of South Orange County appear as logos on his endorsements page. We could not confirm either endorsement on the groups' own pages. source

    • Local businesses and venues shown on the page: Brothers Marshall; No Joke / Donaldson Hill Arts (gallery); Little Witch Trivia; FICUS (event space); Motel Mini Market. source


    Candidate in the News:



    Public Voting Record:

    He has never held elected office, so there is no council voting record. As an appointed Arts and Culture Committee member he has voted on routine committee business. roster

    • In January 2026, he moved to table a proposed "Surfer, Skater, Art, and Music Hall of Fame" subcommittee item so the applicant could return with changes; it carried 5-0. minutes

    • In April 2026, he voted with a 7-0 committee to send a large public-art installation siting question to a subcommittee. minutes


    Follow the Money:

    San Clemente posts mayoral candidates' filings on the city clerk's site. His committee is "Shane Hirschman for San Clemente Mayor 2026," ID 1496256, and Hirschman is his own treasurer. The campaign is almost entirely self-funded: his first Form 460, covering Jan. 1 – Sept. 19, 2026, reports $2,261.03 in contributions, of which $2,016.83 came from Hirschman himself. It reports $1,977.80 in spending and $283.23 cash on hand. Form 460 Form 497 Form 497

  • San Clemente Mayor Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “KATHY WARD | Certified Shorthand Reporter

    As San Clemente’s former two-term councilwoman and two-time mayor, my overarching goal has been to improve our town and protect our quality of life while keeping our unique village character.

    The vision document for San Clemente formed our General Plan for future growth. The dominant theme is that residents are focused on maintaining, rather than changing, the character of San Clemente.

    Currently the General Plan is not being followed. City ordinances are admittedly not being enforced, the planning commission is purposely being bypassed, and the concerns of residents and business owners are being ignored.

    I will support proper procedures within our city so that decisions of the council are in full public view, providing complete public transparency and participation.

    As your councilwoman, I led the charge to keep the toll road from ever threatening San Clemente again. We revitalized North Beach, making it a historic district; zoned vacation rentals and sober living facilities out of single-family neighborhoods, added SC Trolley, made San Clemente a non-toxic city using no harmful chemicals, and increased traffic circulation by adding arterial access points.

    My leadership will be guided by the residents’ vision for San Clemente.

    One town. One team.

    kathywardformayor@gmail.com”


    Email: kathywardformayor@gmail.com


    Campaign Website: https://kathywardformayor.com/

    Priorities:

    From the "What I'll do" list on her campaign site. source At the Sept. 14, 2026 Chamber of Commerce forum, the San Clemente Times reported that she said outdoor dining has contributed to downtown parking problems, "opposed raising taxes and emphasized controlling spending," and raised concerns about how much Measure M (the beach and fire sales tax) would raise and how its fire-prevention money would be used; the report does not give a position for or against Measure M. source

    • Restore integrity and common sense on the city council

    • Protect quality of life and village character

    • Sound fiscal judgment

    • Respect the resident-created General Plan

    • Stand up to developers and special interest groups

    • Preserve historic character, beach town and surfing heritage

    • Fight the landfill expansion and keep out trash trucks from other counties

    • Finish delayed maintenance and clean up downtown Del Mar


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Ward is a former two-term councilmember running in San Clemente's first directly elected mayoral race, against Councilmember Victor Cabral and Arts and Culture Committee member Shane Hirschman. source She left the council on Dec. 8, 2022, after choosing not to seek a third term. Form 700 source Her council years included several public disputes, described below with their sources.

    • She is a Certified Shorthand Reporter; her 2014 ballot information also listed "California Certificated Teacher of Court Reporting." source Her campaign site lists her as a City of San Clemente Finance Department employee, without dates (source); on her campaign's Aug. 28, 2026 Form 497 she gives her occupation as "Retired" (Form 497).

    • She led the council's opposition to extending the 241 Toll Road through San Clemente; as mayor in May 2021 she backed the 4-1 vote to leave the Transportation Corridor Agencies. Voice of OC As a TCA board member in August 2018, she blamed agency staff for the city's public-records lawsuit against the TCA: "this board needs to take back control from the TCA staff who are making arbitrary and costly decisions — who are costing the TCA … tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees." Voice of OC

    • The Los Angeles Times reported in 2022 that "Ward, Ferguson and James are all Republicans." LA Times via Yahoo

    • A complaint filed by pro-districting advocate Ken Royal, per Voice of OC, alleged that Ward used city staff to help draft an April 2016 "City Council Corner" column opposing by-district elections, in which she said the districting movement had an "ulterior motive." (VOC, July 18, 2016, VOC, Jan. 18, 2017) The SC Times reported that the city redacted the complainant's name. Voice of OC reported that a records request "revealed emails showing that Ward had city staff help her draft and edit the column using city email systems"; the staff member was then–Public Information Officer Laura Ferguson, who later served on the council with Ward. At the July 5, 2016 hearing Ward said: "I wrote that article. Staff did not help me write that article." (VOC) The three non-recused councilmembers voted 2-1 that no violation occurred. SC Times

    • Resident Jim Bieber sued the city in March 2017 over records tied to the Measure OO hotel-tax recount. The suit claimed that councilmembers Brown, Hamm and Ward, the city manager and the city clerk "participated in a conspiracy to use public resources to fund a political recount." This is an allegation in a suit against the city, not against Ward personally. Voice of OC reported she did not return requests for comment. The outcome was not found as of 10/05/2026. Voice of OC

    Social Media Links:

    • Campaign X (@electkathyward). The account's activity in 2026 was not confirmed.

    • Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, YouTube: not found as of 10/05/2026. Her campaign site has no social links.

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On the "Sanctuary for Life" abortion resolution (Aug. 6, 2022), at the special meeting where she moved to pull it from the agenda: "We are locally elected officials. We are supposed to put our energies toward the operations and ordered development of the city of San Clemente," Ward said. "Anything above that is not our purview." Voice of OC
      Context: in an email to the LA Times that week she called the proposal "ludicrous" and said she does not "take up issues that are not city issues." LA Times via Yahoo

    • On permit rules for public assemblies (Aug. 17, 2021), Voice of OC called her "the council's chief proponent of the new rules," which the ACLU opposed: "It's our public space, someone who's going to use a public park should kind of say who they are… A permit lets every staff member, police, fire, all of our staff know that something is happening there." Voice of OC
      Context: her substitute motion that night removed a proposed exemption for "expressive activity" from the special-event permit requirement (3-2). The council later had the ordinance rewritten to require advance notice of expressive activity rather than a permit. minutes minutes

    • On the Second Amendment Freedom City resolution (June 1, 2021), as mayor, the San Clemente Times reported that "Ward said she couldn't support it unless it included language expressly stating that San Clemente supports the state's laws." (The paper paraphrased her; no direct quote was published.) SC Times (archived)

    • On leaving the toll road agency (May 18, 2021), as mayor: "San Clemente did not join this agency to agree to perpetually charge tolls and perpetually incur more debt… We alone cannot stop this agency from usurping it's (sic) mission…We can however tonight use our one vote San Clemente has to get out of this agency." Voice of OC

    • Presenting the censure of Laura Ferguson (November 2020): "My first concern is that Mayor Pro Tem Ferguson has interfered in the power and duties of the city manager… City employees have rights of confidentiality and they should not be discussed by councilmembers in public." Voice of OC

    • No statements by Ward on LGBTQ+ topics, and no 2026 social-media captions or Reddit posts, were found as of 10/05/2026.


    Endorsed by:

    None found as of 10/05/2026. Her campaign site has no endorsements section, and no 2026 endorsements were found in news coverage. source


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    • Ward served from December 2014 to December 2022. The city's Legistar roll calls only begin in September 2022, so most of her record comes from the council's action minutes, which summarize votes but not what members said. In her last three months, Legistar records her voting No 19 times. (Count compiled by the researcher from the city's Legistar roll-call data, September–December 2022, including procedural motions; a derived summary, not a city-published statistic.) Legistar 

    • No council item on Pride flags, Pride Month proclamations or other LGBTQ+-specific matters was found in her years on the council. The closest is the September 2021 vote on the League of California Cities' diversity caucuses, below. 

    • In her final months (September to December 2022), Ward was the lone No on 4-1 votes including the council letterhead policy (22-034), an exclusive negotiating agreement with Pacific Medical Buildings for the Vista Hermosa parcel (22-064), a letter of support for Capistrano Shores (22-061) and the Public Safety Committee's 2022-23 work plan (22-118).

    • In August 2022, Ward moved to table a Knoblock–Ferguson resolution calling on the Legislature to "enhance the confidence of the voting public in election outcomes through improved election processes"; the motion carried 3-2, with Ferguson and Knoblock voting no. minutes

    • In August 2022, Ward made the motion, seconded by Duncan, to remove Knoblock's "Sanctuary for Life" abortion resolution from the agenda. It carried 3-1, with Knoblock voting no. minutes

    • In April 2022, Ward and Duncan voted against Resolution 22-12, "supporting an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency and calling upon the California Legislature to revoke the Governor's emergency powers"; it passed 3-2. In August 2021 she had moved to maintain the local COVID-19 emergency (failed 2-3) and voted against ending it (passed 3-2). minutes minutes 

    • In November 2021, Ward and Duncan voted against referring the Freedom Foundation's request that the city join a legal challenge to SB 866 to the city attorney; it failed 2-2-1. Minutes 

    • In September 2021, Mayor Ward moved, and the council voted 4-0 (seconded by Knoblock; Ferguson absent), to direct San Clemente's League of California Cities delegate to oppose bylaw amendments recognizing the League's five diversity caucuses, which include its Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) Caucus, and giving each caucus a seat on the League's board. The minutes record no stated reason. minutes agenda packet, p. 114 

    • In August 2021, Mayor Ward's substitute motion introduced the public-assembly permit ordinance (Ordinance 1717) with its exemption for expressive activity removed (3-2, Ferguson and Knoblock no), after a motion to exempt expressive activity on city streets, sidewalks and parks died without a second. In September the council voted 4-1 not to adopt it as presented and to require advance notice of expressive activity instead of a permit; a revised version was adopted 3-2 in October. minutes minutes minutes 

    • In June 2021, Ward voted against declaring San Clemente a "Second Amendment Freedom City." It passed 3-2, with Duncan and Ward voting no, after being amended to add that the council "is supportive of background checks for all purchases of firearms." minutes (pp. 13–14) 

    • In May 2021, Mayor Ward moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem James, to withdraw San Clemente from the Transportation Corridor Agencies joint powers agreement; it carried 4-1, with Ferguson voting no. minutes (p. 10) 

    • In November 2020, Ward voted for Resolution 20-63 censuring Mayor Pro Tem Laura Ferguson; it passed 3-1. Minutes 

    • In March 2020, Ward cast the lone no (3-1) on directing the city's housing consultant to review its inclusionary zoning policy and "consider employing parameters that also consider the rejection of inclusionary zoning." minutes

    Follow the Money:

    San Clemente posts council and mayoral candidates' filings on the city clerk's site.

    Her committee is "Kathy Ward for Mayor 2026," FPPC ID 1494141. No contributions from PACs, unions, businesses or other committees were found in the 2026 filings read: Form 497 reports dated Aug. 28, Sept. 2 and Sept. 14, and the Form 460 filed Sept. 24, 2026. Those reports list only individual contributors and her own money. Form 497 (Sept. 2) · Form 497 (Sept. 14) No independent expenditures for or against her were found in the San Clemente independent-expenditure committee filings as of 10/05/2026.

Capistrano Unified School District

  • Capistrano Unified School District Area 4 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “MELISSA CALDWELL | AGE: 46 | Parent/Businesswoman

    Students and families in the Capistrano Unified School District deserve trustees with a proven record of service, meaningful advocacy, and professional experience managing complex systems and budgets. With over 15 years serving as a PTA volunteer and leader, 6 years of community service supporting our nation’s military and their families with care packages, holiday toy drives, newborn essentials and family events, and 25 years as a Chief Operating Officer for a successful law firm, I bring the experience and commitment our community deserves.

    As a longtime Laguna Niguel resident, school volunteer, and leader of large volunteer organizations, I’ve spent years working alongside parents, educators and local partners to support students across CUSD. I’ve seen firsthand how strong community collaboration strengthens our schools and I’m prepared to bring that same spirit of partnership to our school board.

    My background as a Chief Operating Officer combined with real world experience as a PTA leader has prepared me to deliver results. I will apply my operational expertise to ensure responsible fiscal policies that prioritize classrooms and protect taxpayer investments. I will ask tough, informed questions to ensure our schools are safe, secure, and operating effectively for every student. I will support our educators and administrators as they work to create learning environments that meet students where they are, providing the targeted resources each child needs to succeed.

    Clear communication and strong community relationships are essential to keeping our schools exceptional. I’m ready to put my professional experience and dedication to work for students,

    families, and the future of the Capistrano Unified School District. I would be honored to serve as your next Area 4 CUSD Trustee.

    www.melissaforcusd.com”


    Email: melissaforcusd@gmail.com 


    Campaign Website: https://melissaforcusd.com/ 

    Melissa’s campaign page is emblazoned with the phrase, “She listens. She shows up. She gets it done.”

    Priorities:

    • Ensuring Every Student Has the Opportunity to Succeed — Work with teachers and staff to direct resources where students need them most and support students’ differing learning needs.

    • School Safety — Strengthen CUSD safety policies, including expanding e-bike safety initiatives she helped implement at Niguel Hills Middle School.

    • Improved Transparency — Improve communication with parents and educators about how and why district decisions are made and provide opportunities for input before decisions are made.

    • Fiscal Responsibility — Manage district resources efficiently, improve schools, and avoid increasing district debt.


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Melissa is the chair of Laguna Niguel’s Military Support Committee. During this tenure, she has worked on programs including military care packages, newborn essentials, family events, and holiday toy drives. Source

    • Per her campaign website, Caldwell has served in PTA for more than 12 years, including multiple terms as president. She says she helped organize e-bike safety standards in collaboration with CUSD, the Laguna Niguel Sheriff’s Office, and PTSA. 

    • Professional Background: Caldwell’s campaign states that she currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of a law firm.  

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    A number of the individuals Melissa follows are progressive activists living in the Capo USD region, who are not necessarily public figures but are known to Pride at the Pier. 


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    Caldwell responded to the OC Candidate Questionnaire, published October 5, 2026. The questions and answers are as follows; 

    • Question: What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “No. 1: Remove politics from the classroom and the CUSD boardroom.

    No. 2: Ensure all students have equal opportunities to learn in the most successful environments for their needs.

    No. 3: Address the constant challenges posed by declining student enrollment and the ADA revenue funds regarding CUSD. (Declining enrollment of students, and its impact on our local public schools and their success as a whole.)”

    • Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “I believe the most important role of a school board member is to encourage, empower, and support all teachers, staff, and students while preserving local governance and maintaining a fiscally sound budget.Effective school board members must listen to educational experts regarding curriculum and oversight policy, while recognizing and supporting the superintendent’s leadership of our district.”

    • Question: How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “While AI offers powerful possibilities for education, its optimal place in the classroom is as a tool for enrichment rather than initial learning. Students should first master core concepts and build a solid foundation of understanding independently before integrating AI into their study habits. It should be used as a tool to enhance learning but not as a crutch to get around learning the material.”

    • Question: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “My commitment to our community extends beyond the classroom. I served as Girl Scout troop leader (Troop 3710), led school carnivals, raised money for schools via jog-a-thons, organized major toy and baby drives for military families, and was honored to serve as the first female Chair for the City of Laguna Niguel’s Military Support Committee.”

    • Question: Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “Professionally, I have spent the past 25 years in the legal field championing union employees and working members, ensuring they have a strong voice in their workplace. I wholeheartedly support our teachers and the union representation that supports their rights.

    Throughout my career and volunteer work, I have always believed in standing up for the underdog and fighting for those who need an advocate — especially when it comes to education.”

    • Question: What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “Even as my daughter heads off to college, my dedication to CUSD students remains stronger than ever.

    As a long-time advocate who has traveled to Sacramento Safari with the 4th District PTA, I will continue to fight for increased funding through the CUSD “Raise the Base” campaign, advocate for IDEA, and protect the investment in public schools. I am committed to ensuring that every student receives an individualized, high-quality education that allows every student to reach their full potential.”

    • Question: If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    “No. 2 pencil.”

    • Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

    “1984,” George Orwell, 75th anniversary edition.

    “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

    A startling and haunting novel — captures the creativity and imaginative world that completely convinces you from start to finish.

    “A power that seems to grow, not lessen, with the passage of time.” source


    Endorsed by: 

    • Kathy Tam
      UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Engagement and Marketing; CUSD Parent — provides a supporting testimonial on Caldwell’s campaign website.

    • WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics)
      Melissa Caldwell is recommended for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 4 in the 2026 General Election by WAVE. WAVE describes itself as a nonpartisan PAC supporting candidates aligned with progressive values, including protection of public education, reproductive rights, vulnerable populations, climate science, and responsible gun legislation.


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record: None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • HOPE-CUEA PAC (Help Organize for Public Education PAC) — $ 6,500
      Caldwell received a contribution from HOPE-CUEA PAC, the political action committee associated with the Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA), representing CUSD teachers. (FPPC Form 497, Aug. 26 and Sept. 14, 2026.)

  • Capistrano Unified School District, Area 4 (Candidate)


    Candidate Statement:

    “MARCO CARRALERO | Parent/Orange County Businessowner

    I’m not a politician, and I’ve never run for elected office. I’m the parent of daughters who will enter Capistrano Unified School District schools when they reach school age. I own a family business, where I lead, manage budgets, and deliver results. My professional experience includes advising government agencies on financial management. As a Laguna Niguel parent, I have a personal stake in improving Capistrano Unified School District schools.

    The Capistrano Unified School District is in crisis:

    • Student enrollment fell every year for the past eight years

    • Lowest student enrollment in nearly a quarter-century

    • Serious structural budget deficit

    I’ll fight to reverse this trend and bring families back to Capistrano Unified School District schools.

    As Laguna Niguel’s representative on the Capistrano Unified School District Board, I’ll:

    • Fight for a high-quality education for every student

    • Keep political agendas out of the classroom

    • Respect parents’ rights

    • Promote parental involvement

    • Provide safe, secure, and healthy schools for our students

    • Demand fiscal accountability and ensure money goes directly to classrooms, not wasteful bureaucracy

    • Increase transparency to ensure a strong educational partnership between parents, teachers, and the Capistrano Unified School District Board

    I’m honored to be endorsed by:

    • Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger, and Jennifer Adnams

    • Orange County Board of Education Trustees Lisa Sparks and Tim Shaw

    • Laguna Niguel Mayor Linda Lindholm (ret.)

    I respectfully request your vote. www.marcoforcusd.com”


    Email: 


    Campaign Website: www.marcoforcusd.com/

    Priorities: 

    • Academic Excellence

      • Center every classroom on reading, writing, math, and critical thinking — the foundational skills students need to thrive in a changing world.

    • Safe & Healthy Schools

      • Ensure every student can learn, and every teacher can work, on a campus with quality school lunches, clean drinking water, modern classrooms, and annual safety and environmental checks at every school, so families and staff can feel confident they're in a healthy space. That includes protecting girls' sports for girls only, so female athletes can compete safely and have an equal shot at roster spots, titles, and scholarships.

    • Strong Parental Invovlement & Transparency (typo copied from campaign website)

      • Support full parental involvement in the academic and personal formation of children that takes place at school, in close partnership with teachers and administrators.

      • Carralero emphasizes parental involvement and transparency but does not specify whether he supports parental-notification policies involving a student’s gender identity. CUSD Trustee Lisa Davis, who endorses Carralero, proposed a parental-notification policy in 2023. Davis discussed gender-identity concerns in advocating for the proposal, which the CUSD Board rejected 5–2, with Davis and Trustee Judy Bullockus voting in favor. (CUSD Board, Oct. 18, 2023; Voice of OC, Oct. 20, 2023.)

    • Classroom-First Budgeting

      • Invest resources in classrooms, support the teachers and programs that drive student success, and drive budget transparency for families while working to reverse enrollment declines.

    • Digitally Detoxed Classrooms

      • Advocate for less screen and device time in the classroom through clear, consistent device policies — helping students focus, learn and retain more, protect their mental health, and connect better with peers and teachers.

    • Trustee Accessibility

      • Be the most visible, responsive Trustee Area 4 has had: hold regular office hours, communicate quickly, and be a board member parents and staff can reach face-to-face and digitally.


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Endorsement Connections: Marco openly states that he is endorsed by current trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger, and Jennifer Adnams. It is important to note that these three candidates are openly anti-LGBTQ. Adams and Zollinger campaigned in 2024 with a special focus on fearmongering about trans kids in sports (of which there aren’t any to our knowledge in Capo USD), and Lisa Davis was behind the efforts to establish forced outing policies in Capo USD. All three are affiliated with the Heritage Foundation. source

    • Firearm Lawsuit: It is Carralero’s stated desire to carry a concealed firearm at playgrounds and adjoining sidewalks, together with his participation in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate concealed-carry restrictions in playgrounds, youth centers, parks, athletic facilities, libraries, and other places regularly used by children and families.

    • Marco Carralero is the first-named plaintiff in Carralero v. Bonta (C.D. Cal. No. 8:23-cv-01798), which was consolidated with May v. Bonta as In re Senate Bill 2 Litigation. The ongoing federal litigation challenges numerous provisions of California’s SB 2 restricting licensed concealed carry in designated “sensitive places,” including playgrounds and private youth centers, public parks and athletic facilities, state parks, libraries, stadiums, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and private businesses open to the public. (First Amended Complaint⁠, ¶¶ 3–7, internal pp. 1–3.)

    • In his sworn declaration, Carralero stated, “I carry, and intend to continue carrying, my personal firearm daily, during all my activities.” He specifically identified Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and San Clemente State Beach among the parks he frequented and where he intended to carry for self-defense. (Carralero Declaration⁠, ¶¶ 8 and 15, PDF pp. 4 and 6.)

    • In the subsequently filed First Amended Complaint, Carralero states that he also wants to carry at playgrounds and on streets and sidewalks adjacent to playgrounds. The complaint notes that he has a young child and regularly visits parks containing playgrounds and their adjoining parking lots. (First Amended Complaint⁠, ¶ 13, internal p. 4; PDF p. 5.)

    • California’s Gun-Free School Zone Act generally prohibits knowing firearm possession on K–12 school grounds and within 1,000 feet of those grounds. However, the law exempts holders of valid California concealed-carry licenses from the surrounding 1,000-foot restriction when they remain outside school buildings, school-controlled property and parking areas, and immediately adjacent streets and sidewalks. The complaint alleges that Carralero held an active Orange County CCW license when it was filed, but it does not allege that he wants to carry on CUSD school grounds. (California Penal Code § 626.9(b), (c)(5) and (e)(4)⁠; First Amended Complaint⁠, ¶¶ 6 and 9.)

    • Family and Educational Background:

      • Carralero’s campaign describes him as the father of “two future CUSD students,” rather than identifying him as a current CUSD parent. That wording does not establish when or whether his children will enroll. 

      • His wife, Caroline Beckman Carralero, has publicly discussed being homeschooled by her mother, leaving college, and participating in the Thiel Fellowship. The Fellowship describes its recipients as young people who “skip or stop out of college” to pursue entrepreneurial projects. (NutraIngredients⁠; Thiel Fellowship⁠)

    • College education: 

      • Carralero holds B.A. degrees in History and Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. The Claremont Institute independently confirms both degrees. 

      • In 2015, he received a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to study Urdu in Lucknow, India. The Critical Language Scholarship Program independently lists Carralero as a 2015 Urdu scholar in Lucknow.

      • His campaign also states that he studied at the University of Geneva.

    • Business background:

      • According to his campaign website, Carralero and his wife operate Nouri, a San Clemente health-and-wellness company.

      • His campaign also states that he previously worked in business operations at Tesla and in public-sector management consulting at Accenture.

    • Policy education:

      • Carralero attended the Hoover Institution Summer Policy Boot Camp in 2018, was a Claremont Institute Publius Fellow in 2019, and a Common Sense Society Founders’ Foreign Policy Fellow in 2022. 

      • The Hover Institute is known for being a conservative, free-market, limited government policy think tank and defines itself as such on its website.. 

      • The Claremont Institute describes its mission as restoring the principles of the American Founding and explicitly says its fellowships educate “the next generation of conservative leaders”; its Publius Fellowship brings together young conservatives to study American political thought and constitutional government.  

      • The Common Sense Society describes its programs as promoting “liberty, prosperity, and beauty,” with Carralero’s fellowship examining U.S. foreign policy through the political principles of the American Founders.

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Sonja Shaw
      President, Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education; 2026 Candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction 

    • Judy Bullockus
      Vice President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 7) 

    • Lisa Zollinger
      Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 2)

    • Jennifer Adnams
      Clerk of the Board, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 1)

    • Mike Munzing
      Mayor Pro Tem, Aliso Viejo 

    • Kelly Felton
      Educator/Professor/Parent; 2026 Candidate, Tustin Unified School District Trustee Area 3

    • Justin Aguirre
      2026 Candidate, Placenta Yorba Linda United School District. He’s very active in the anti-trans extremist circles and has been a regular sight at anti-trans rallies across Southern California.

    • Wayne Lindholm
      Chairman, Lincoln Club of Orange County; Member, Orange County Employees Retirement System Board of Retirement.His wife, Linda Lindholm, a former Laguna Niguel mayor and Orange County Board of Education trustee, endorses Carralero. 

    • Reform California - (far-right organization led by Carl DeMaio)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    OC Register: Marco Carralero, Capistrano Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)


    Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: A school board’s role is to set the district’s direction, represent the community, and hold the superintendent accountable for student achievement, responsible spending, and safe schools.

    That includes adopting policy, approving the budget, establishing measurable goals, and exercising keen oversight of curriculum and instructional materials. Trustees should understand what students are learning, ask whether materials are academically sound and age-appropriate, and provide meaningful opportunities for parents and teachers to participate in the review process.

    The superintendent manages district operations, and teachers bring professional expertise to daily instruction. Board oversight should establish clear expectations and give educators the support to meet them.

    I believe parents are the primary arbiters of their child’s formation and are therefore essential partners in their children’s education. They deserve accessible information about curriculum, school performance, and their children’s progress. The board should listen respectfully, explain its decisions, and follow through on commitments.

    My guiding principle would be: every policy and expenditure should serve students’ education, safety, and readiness for life as a capable, healthy, happy citizen. Public schools should welcome families with different viewpoints and keep politics out of instruction.


    Q: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: Civil discourse is a skill students need to practice: listening carefully, asking honest questions, checking facts, explaining a position, and disagreeing respectfully.

    I would encourage CUSD to build these habits into existing history, civics, and English instruction through structured discussions, debates, primary-source analysis, and mock public hearings. Students could examine age-appropriate community issues, research different proposals, and present recommendations supported by evidence.

    Teachers should establish clear expectations against personal attacks and give students opportunities to understand competing arguments. Students should be evaluated on preparation, reasoning, evidence, and respectful participation. Agreement with a teacher’s political views should never be a condition of academic success.

    My education in history and government reinforces my belief that students need both substantive civic knowledge and the ability to discuss difficult questions thoughtfully.

    Adults must model that conduct. As a trustee, I will listen to criticism, explain my reasoning, and treat parents, educators, students, and fellow board members respectfully. We cannot credibly ask students to practice civility if their leaders fail to demonstrate it.


    Endorsed by: 

    • Madison Miner

      • Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. Her public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.

    • Sonja Shaw (IG: @sonjashaw2026) 

      • Shaw has championed parental notification policies requiring schools to inform parents when students express a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. She has also supported restrictions on transgender students’ participation in girls’ sports and policies allowing the removal of certain school library books. Shaw has publicly credited Moms for Liberty with inspiring her political involvement. The organization lists her among its pledged elected officials, and its California chapters have endorsed her 2026 statewide campaign.

    • Nancy’s Picks

      • Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

    • Lisa Davis
      Board President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 3)

    • Jennifer Adnams
      Clerk of the Board, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 1)

    • Lisa Zollinger
      Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 2)

    • Lisa Sparks
      Trustee, Orange County Board of Education (District 5)

    • Linda Lindholm
      Former Trustee and President, Orange County Board of Education (District 5); Former Mayor, Laguna Niguel, wife of Wayne Lindholm

    • Laurie Davies
      California State Assemblymember (District 74)

    • Mike Munzing
      Mayor Pro Tem, Aliso Viejo, attempted to ban the Pride Flag in Aliso Viejo

    See full list of endorsements on campaign website


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    • Candidate has no previous record of holding public office


    Follow the Money: via the link

  • Capistrano Unified School District, Area 6 (Candidate)


    Candidate Statement:

    “MANDY BOURNE | Community Volunteer

    After practicing law, I’ve focused on our family and serving our schools. I’ve taught reading in elementary classrooms, helped families with college planning and applications, served on district curriculum and accreditation committees, and directed elementary school field days and senior nights for high school sports. I currently teach high-school study and life skills classes, previously teaching writing and music. For twenty years, I’ve loved serving in Capistrano Unified. My husband and I raised six children in CUSD, all of whom enjoyed its exceptional Spanish-immersion program. We’re still experiencing the district alongside our youngest. From

    APs to navigating IEPs, we’ve successfully managed many concerns parents have with their CUSD kids. As a longtime volunteer and current Capistrano Unified parent, I remain deeply invested in every student’s success.

    I am running to prioritize:

    • Academic excellence

    • Strong partnerships with families

    • Safe schools

    • Attracting and supporting outstanding teachers.

    Classrooms should prepare students for success in college, careers, and life. Keep the focus on learning, not on issues that divide us as neighbors. I am honored to have earned the support of teachers, trustees, and community leaders. As Trustee, I will bring experience, common sense, civility, and collaboration to every decision, always putting students first.

    mandy4capo.com”


    Email: “Contact Us” on candidate website


    Campaign Website: https://mandy4capo.com

    Priorities: 

    • Focus the district on “strong academics” and avoid “ideological issues that divide us as neighbors.”

    • Encourage partnerships with the private sector to expand extracurricular opportunities and enhance school facilities.

    • Support parental involvement in education.

    • Promote responsible stewardship of district resources.


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    According to her LinkedIn profile:  

    • Bourne earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University before earning her Juris Doctor from BYU Law School. 

    • While at Brigham Young University Law School, she co-authored the Utah Juvenile Court Handbook with Professor Lynn Wardle.`

      • Wardle, Lynn D., and Amanda Bourne. Utah Juvenile Court Handbook. Utah Administrative Office of the Courts, 14 June 1996.

      • Wardle is a family law scholar who testified in 1996 before Congress in support of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 

        • Defense of Marriage Act: Hearing on S. 1740 Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 104th Congress (1996), testimony of Professor Lynn D. Wardle, pp. 23–41.,

        • and also testified in 2005 (LINK)

        • *For any of our younger readers, DOMA was federal law banning gay marriage.

      • Wardle authored numerous publications opposing legal recognition of same-sex marriage. No evidence was identified that Bourne participated in Wardle’s advocacy regarding same-sex marriage or shared these positions on this issues.

        • Lynn D. Wardle, “Multiply and Replenish”: Considering Same-Sex Marriage in Light of State Interests in Marital Procreation, 24 Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy 771 (2001).

        • Lynn D. Wardle, The Potential Impact of Homosexual Parenting on Children, 1997 University of Illinois Law Review 833 (1997).
          University of Illinois Law Review archive,

        • Lynn D. Wardle, A Critical Analysis of Constitutional Claims for Same-Sex Marriage, 1996 BYU Law Review 1 (1996). 

        • Lynn D. Wardle, The Judicial Imposition of Same-Sex Marriage: The Boundaries of Judicial Legitimacy and Legitimate Redefinition of Marriage, 50 Washburn Law Journal 79 (2010).

        • Lynn D. Wardle, Equality Principles as Asserted Justifications for Mandating the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in American and Intercountry-Comparative Constitutional Law, 27 BYU Journal of Public Law 489 (2013).

    • Following law school, Bourne clerked for Judge Monroe G. McKay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit before practicing law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles from 1996 to 2000.

      • McKay graduated from Brigham Young University and later served as a professor at BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School before being appointed to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter.

      • Bourne practiced law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP from 1996 to 2000. Although unrelated to Bourne’s tenure at the firm, Gibson Dunn has represented clients across the political spectrum, including representing the plaintiffs in the successful challenge to California’s Proposition 8 (Hollingsworth v. Perry, 2013) and representing Citizens United in the landmark campaign finance case Citizens United v. FEC (2010). (LINK)

    • CUSD Background: Bourne states that she has been a CUSD parent and community volunteer for approximately 20 years and that all six of her children attended CUSD schools. Her involvement has included school and classroom volunteering, experience with the IEP process, PTSA scholarship review, assisting students with college applications, and participation in curriculum and accreditation activities.

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: (As of 9/1/2026)

    Instagram

    • Lisa Davis (isadaviscusd)

      • Note: Davis is openly anti-LGBTQ, was behind the attempt to establish forced outing policies in Capo USD, and is affiliated with Heritage Foundation. source

    • Amanda Earnest (amandaearnest)

      • Note: Earnest was a $1,000 campaign contributor to Lisa Davis per CA Form 460. ( LINK - see Follow the Money section)

      • Note Earnest was a $1,000 campaign contributor to Kira Davis per CA Form 460 (LINK - see Follow the Money section)

      • Note: Kira Davis, a former Capistrano Unified school board candidate and editor-at-large for (Far Right) RedState, authored a 2022 opinion article criticizing a San Juan Hills High School teacher over classroom LGBTQ+ reading materials.(LINK). 


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    OC Register: Mandy Bourne, Capistrano Unified School District Area 6 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)


    Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: A school board’s role is governance, not day-to-day management. The board should set a clear direction for the district, establish sound policies, approve a responsible budget, hire and evaluate the superintendent, hold the district accountable for student results, and model civility.

    The board also has an important role in curriculum. It should ensure the district provides strong, balanced instruction that meets state standards, reflects community expectations and prepares students for college, careers and life. But board members should not micromanage classrooms or tell teachers how to teach individual lessons. Educators need the support, training and resources to do their jobs well. A strong board provides direction, accountability and transparency while respecting the professional roles of the superintendent, administrators and educators.

    Most importantly, the board should keep students at the center of every decision. That requires listening to parents, teachers, staff and students; asking thoughtful questions; reviewing reliable evidence and expert advice; and making decisions openly and responsibly. I chose not to use campaign money from special-interest PACs, unions or political parties so I could remain independent—without favors to repay and free to focus on what is best for students.


    Q: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: Nearly all of us agree our broader community needs more civility. Schools can offer something better than the anger, ridicule and personal attacks students too often see online and in public life. We can teach—and, most importantly, model—how to reject a “culture of contempt” and disagree with kindness, honesty and respect. That starts with leadership from the top down, and I have modeled that same approach throughout this campaign.

    I have supported my high-school son and his club’s work with the Dignity Project, which teaches students to evaluate their interactions and move from contempt toward dignity—disagreeing civilly and with respect. Civil discourse does not mean avoiding difficult subjects or pretending differences do not matter. It means listening to understand, discussing ideas without attacking people, supporting claims with facts and recognizing the dignity of those who see an issue differently.

    Our district should make these principles part of everyday school culture. Board members, administrators, teachers and staff should model civility, while students should have age-appropriate opportunities to discuss challenging questions, consider different viewpoints and resolve disagreements constructively.

    There is real power in peacemaking. If we expect students to become thoughtful, respectful adults, we must show them what that looks like.


    Endorsed by: 

    • Madison Miner

      • Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. Her public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.

    • Nancy’s Picks

      • Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

    • Sergio Farias

      • Councilmember and Former Mayor, San Juan Capistrano

    • John Campbell

      • Mayor, San Juan Capistrano

    • Howard Hart

      • Councilmember and Former Mayor, San Juan Capistrano

    • John Taylor

      • Former Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, San Juan Capistrano

    • Ray Gennawey

      • Councilmember and Former Mayor, Laguna Niguel; Former CUSD Student Trustee

    • Chris McLaren

      • Retired CUSD Teacher

    • Wyndi Garcia

      • 28-year Orange County Public School Teacher and Administrator

    • Steve Roberts

      • Orange County Public School Teacher; Former Teacher of the Year

    • Kelli Gaines

      • Public High School Teacher; Orange County Chemistry Teacher of the Year

    • Alma Benitez

      • Mission Viejo ESL Teacher; CUSD Parent

    See full list on campaign website


    Candidate in the News:

    • (Opinion) Jeff Pearlman, The Christian Right/LDS School Board Enigma – The Future of Capo Unified Hangs by a Terrifying Thread: Awkward Questions About Faith, Politics and Education Linger. The Truth OC, published July 16, 2026. LINK

    Public Voting Record:

    • Candidate has no previous record of holding public office


    Follow the Money: via the link

    • Prior to becoming a candidate, Bourne contributed $2,500 to Lisa Davis’ successful 2024 campaign for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3.( LINK - Schedule A – Monetary Contributions Received, Lisa Davis for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3, reporting period July 1, 2024 – September 21, 2024, filed October 3, 2024, p. 10.)

      • Note: Amanda Earnest who follows Mandy Bourne on Instagram contributed $1,000 to Lisa Davis’ successful 2024 campaign for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3.( LINK - Schedule A - Monetary Contributions received,  Lisa Davis for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3, reporting period January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024, e-filed June 24, 2024, p. 12.)

      • Note: Amanda Earnest who follows Mandy Bourne on Instagram, contributed $1,000 to Kira Davis’s unsuccessful 2022 campaign for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 2 (LINK -  Schedule A - Monetary Contributions received,  Kira  Davis for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 2, reporting period July 1, 2022 – September 24, 2022, e-filed October 26, 2022, p. 7.)

  • Capistrano Unified School District, Area 6 (Candidate)


    Candidate Statement:

    “JEANNA EMMONS | Parent/Educator/Businessowner

    As a mom with a K-8 student and a high schooler in Capistrano Unified, I'm committed to ensuring every student, at every level, has a clear path to reach their full potential. I'm running to bring transparent and student-centered leadership to our community. I've been showing up for our youth and our community, focused on building relationships, and listening to families.

    My commitment extends to child advocacy. In my role as a former PTA President and as a parent leader, I’ve traveled to Sacramento to advocate directly to legislators about preserving critical mental health services, as well as increasing our public school funding. I'll bring my passionate leadership to district oversight.

    As a 12-year small business owner, I have experience in managing resources wisely and balancing a budget. On the board, I'll respect taxpayer dollars by cutting unnecessary overhead and prioritizing the classroom experience.

    I believe our district must prepare students for a rapidly changing global economy and job market. I'll advocate for modern coursework in emerging fields, including expanded Career

    Technical Education (CTE) pathways with apprenticeship options, and more opportunities for students to earn college credits before graduation. This combination will provide our students

    with academic advantages and professional skills, so they’re exceptionally competitive for college and high-demand careers.

    Although my professional background is in science, I believe courses in music and other arts subjects are essential for student engagement. They help build discipline and enrich learning across all areas. I'm committed to protecting our arts and music programs, so our children receive a rich, well-rounded education.

    Every child must feel safe to learn at school. Campus security requires foresight, clear protocols, and active listening. But true safety goes well beyond physical security: it also means protecting our students by strengthening anti-bullying initiatives and creating welcoming classrooms. I’ll champion safety plans that value both the overall well-being of students and their physical security.

    An effective trustee doesn’t make decisions in a vacuum — they listen to the community. I'll push for clearer, proactive district communications so families are never left in the dark about

    decisions that affect their children.

    I’ll keep political agendas out of our classrooms and board meetings so we can focus on what truly matters: academic standards, safe schools, fiscal accountability, and well-rounded

    opportunities for every child.

    I would be honored to earn your vote. EmmonsForCUSD.com”


    Campaign Website: https://emmonsforcusd.com/ 


    Priorities:

    • Invest in Career and Technical Pathways — Expand career and technical pathways and college-readiness courses to prepare students for future careers.

    • Spend Tax Dollars Responsibly — Use transparent budgeting, prioritize classroom needs, and measure spending by student outcomes.

    • Strengthen Campus Safety — Support safe, secure, and welcoming campuses for students, staff, and families.

    • Listen to Students, Parents, and Community — Seek community input on key issues while emphasizing high academic standards and measurable student outcomes.

    • Increase Transparency in District Communications — Provide clearer, proactive communication about educational options, available support, and how district decisions are made.

    • Protect Arts and Music Education — Protect arts and music programs as part of a well-rounded education.  

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • School Site Council/PTSA: 

      • Emmons served as School Site Council (SSC) Chairperson at Carl Hankey Middle School. The school’s 2023 School Plan for Student Achievement identifies her as SSC Chairperson and records her attestation of the plan on May 4, 2023. The plan’s membership section categorizes SSC participants by constituency, including parent/community representation.

      • Separately, nonprofit records for the Carl Hankey PTSA identify Jeanna Emmons as a board member; another database drawing from its Form 990 filings identifies her as president.  

    • CUSD Board Participation:

      • Emmons addressed the CUSD Board of Trustees at its January 18, 2023 meeting (page 8) regarding the district’s proposed Mathematics Plan. The minutes list her among the public speakers immediatelyJeanna Emmons has been active in the Carl Hankey Middle School community.

      • The school’s 2023–24 School Plan for Student Achievement identifies her (page 64) as a parent or community member of the School Site Council and as the council’s chairperson. (⁠Carl Hankey TK-8 Academy)

    • Educational Background:

      • Emmons earned a BS in Physics from the University of Southern California (USC). Her degree is documented in her professional biography with PSM RMP Solutions and in professional qualifications included in a City of Carson regulatory filing.  ⁠ 

    • Professional Background:

      • Jeanna Emmons is an environmental and safety regulatory compliance consultant with PSM RMP Solutions (Emmons Environmental DBA PSM RMP Solutions), specializing in PSM, EPA RMP, and CalARP compliance. 

      • PSM RMP Solutions is a Mission Viejo environmental and safety consulting firm specializing in Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), and California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) requirements. Her company biography states that she has 25 years of consulting experience, working with industries including ammonia refrigeration, cold storage, water treatment, wineries, and chemical manufacturing.  ⁠

      • Emmons also holds national leadership responsibilities in the refrigeration industry. She currently serves as Chair of the 2026–27 Board of Directors of the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR), following service as Chair-Elect in 2025–26. She has also served on IIAR’s Compliance Guidelines Committee and Government Relations Committee and previously chaired the Compliance Guidelines Committee.  ⁠IIAR — 2026–27 Board of Directors

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    OC Register: Jeanna Emmons, Capistrano Unified School District Area 6 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)


    Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: I believe the role of the school board is to set an overall vision for the district and to place importance on student advocacy. The responsibility of the school board also includes policy, curriculum, and financial oversight, which are priorities; however, without a vision and advocacy, the district may fall short. Once a vision is determined, by taking input from key stakeholders (students, teachers, staff, community, etc.), all decisions are made with the vision as a backstop.

    With CUSD’s vision, “an unwavering commitment to student success,” trustees should make unbiased decisions by putting students first. Equally important is the advocacy for our students by addressing the whole child, including physical health, mental health, and socio-economic challenges as an essential role of the school board. By supporting the whole student, higher academic achievement is inevitable. Additionally, the effects go beyond the classroom; the student is likely to have higher community ties and build tools to manage stress and life’s challenges.


    Q: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: Teaching students in civil discourse will inevitably lead to controversial topics. I believe it should be taught starting with age-appropriate, low-impact controversial topics in order to practice debate, to learn to determine fact from fiction, to think critically, to learn from all perspectives and to respect the opinions of their peers. The teacher would need to first establish a safe environment by encouraging empathy, setting clear guardrails and stressing respect for others.

    Currently, within CUSD, this is already in play. For example, fourth graders are not only taught the building of the California missions from the Spanish perspective but also from the perspective of the Native American. By teaching students how to analyze uncomfortable truths in our history, students are better prepared for current civil discourse. I would like to see this strategically practiced at each grade level in pertinent subjects like literature and/or history.


    Endorsed by: 

    • WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics)

      • Jeanna Emmons is endorsed for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 6 in the 2026 General Election by WAVE. WAVE is a nonpartisan political action committee that states it supports candidates aligned with its progressive values, including protecting public education. 

    • Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC)

    • SOPE-OC (Supporters of Public Education)

      • SOPE-OC is a Democratic Club chartered with the Democratic Party of Orange County to support school boards, individual school board members, and school board candidates who prioritize students in their decision-making by following both Federal Law and the laws of the State of California.


    Candidate in the News:

    • None found as of 10/8/2026


    Public Voting Record:

    • Candidate has no previous record of holding public office


    Follow the Money: 

    • $14,000 from Help Organize for Public Education in the form of a postcard campaign

    • $4,450 from Help Organize for Public Education in the form of a postcard campaign

    • $2,276.67 from Help Organize for Public Education in the form of a postcard campaign

    • $6,500 from Help Organize for Public Education

      • This organization, (EIN: 33-0565935) (EAIN: 870138) has been around since 2022 and is associated with a Pride at the Pier partner, Supporters of Public Education. Their top donors are Capistrano Unified Education Association, Capistrano Unified Education Assn., and California Teachers Assn - Assn for Better Citizen. source

    • $1,000 from Women for American Values and Ethics FEC ID: C00635664 (WAVE)

    • $100 from Katrina Foley (OC Supervisor, Democrat)

    • $1,000 from Democratic Women of South OC

    • $500 from the Aliso Viejo Democratic Club

    • $500 from the Laguna Woods Democratic Club

  • Capistrano Unified School District, Area 7 (Candidate)


    Candidate Statement:

    “RON RUEF | Youth Sports Director

    Every student deserves a high quality education, every parent deserves a voice, and every taxpayer deserves responsible stewardship of public funds.

    As your Capistrano Unified School District Trustee, I will focus on putting students first, preparing them for the careers of tomorrow, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, practicing

    transparent and fiscally responsible budgeting, supporting and retaining outstanding educators, and building strong partnerships with parents and our community.

    My commitment to education and public service has been a constant throughout my life. While my sons attended Capistrano Unified schools, I volunteered with the PTA and was elected to

    school site councils, where I reviewed school budgets and helped align financial resources with student achievement.

    I helped lead the successful transformation of Carl Hankey School from a K-5 campus into Orange County's first K-8 International Baccalaureate World School and helped establish the CHIEF Foundation, which continues to support students today. I also had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Capistrano Unified Facilities and Finance Advisory Committee for five years, gaining valuable experience in district budgeting, long-range planning, and school

    safety.

    My community service includes serving as President of the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission, the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commission, the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members, and the Pacific Water Quality Association. Today, I continue serving youth and families as Area Director for AYSO Area 11L after 29 years as a volunteer referee and youth sports leader.

    My wife, Janice, and I have been married for 43 years and raised our two sons in Capistrano Unified schools. Today, we are proud grandparents watching the next generation grow up

    in our community. I earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach, proudly served in the U.S. Army, and retired after more than 34 years from Morton Salt. As a District Manager with Morton Salt, I led teams, managed budgets, and was responsible for financial accountability.

    I would be honored to earn your vote and the opportunity to serve our students, families, educators, and community.”


    Email: 


    Campaign Website: https://ronforcusd.com/


    Priorities:
    According to Ruef’s campaign website:

    • Transparency & Accountability — Open communication about district decisions, policies and use of taxpayer funds.

    • Safe & Supportive Schools — Maintain secure campuses while supporting positive school environments.

    • Fiscal Responsibility & Responsible Stewardship of Public Funds — Responsible budgeting, financial oversight and long-term sustainability.

    • Meaningful Parent & Community Engagement — Strengthen communication and collaboration among schools, parents and the broader community.

    • Supporting Teachers & Staff — Support recruitment, retention and support of teachers and district employees.  

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Education Background:

      • Ruef earned a BA from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). (Linked In Profile)

    • Military Service:

      • Ruef is a U.S. Army veteran. His 2026 candidate statement and campaign biography both identify his Army service

    • Professional Background:

      • Ruef spent more than 34 years with Morton Salt, holding positions including Account Executive, District Manager and Retail Account Executive before retiring in January 2017. His work included management responsibilities in the water-treatment industry; in his candidate statement, Ruef says that as a District Manager he led teams, managed budgets and was responsible for financial accountability. 

      • After retiring from Morton Salt, he was appointed Executive Director of the Pacific Water Quality Association (PWQA), a trade association representing the water-quality improvement industry. 

      • Ruef also held extensive leadership roles with PWQA before becoming Executive Director. He served as PWQA President (2001–02) and later as Vice President and chaired its Government Planning Committee. His industry recognition includes PWQA’s Hall of Fame Award, as well as the Carolyn J. Fahnestock and Marino Pomares awards. (Reference)  

      • PWQA: We Are the Eyes and Ears of Water Treatment” — WC&P, April 15, 2017
        Profile of Ruef following his retirement from Morton Salt and appointment as Executive Director of the Pacific Water Quality Association. It covers his 34-year Morton career, PWQA leadership and awards, and long involvement as a youth soccer referee and mentor. 

    • Carl Hankey School:

      • Ruef’s campaign states that he worked with parents, staff, and district officials on the transition of Carl Hankey School from K–5 to K–8 and its subsequent designation as Orange County’s first public K–8 International Baccalaureate World School. He also says he helped establish the CHIEF Foundation, which supports the school.  

    • Capistrano Valley High School Foundation:

      • Ruef was involved with the Capistrano Valley High School Foundation while his children attended CUSD. A 2011 Patch article identifies him as a CUSD parent and Foundation member involved in fundraising for school projects.   

    • Mission Viejo Community Service:

      • Ruef served 13 years on the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission, including service as its president, according to his campaign. City records independently document his commission service and identify him as Chairman in 2016. CUSD later identified him as a former Mission Viejo Community Services Commissioner when he participated in its Principal for a Day program.  ⁠ ( ⁠CUSD Insider — Principal for a Day)

    • Youth Sports:

      • Ruef currently serves as Area Director for AYSO Area 11L. His campaign states that he has volunteered with AYSO for 29 years, was the first referee in the area recognized for officiating more than 1,000 games, and has mentored other referees. Independent tournament records show Ruef continuing to officiate AYSO matches at the 2025 Mission Viejo Classic.

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Ron does not follow anyone on his campaign Facebook or Tiktok accounts. His campaign instagram only follows local Capo USD school accounts, which is fairly standard for school board candidates and not something we generally report on.


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    OC Register: Ron Ruef, Capistrano Unified School District Area 7 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

    Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: The role of a school board is to provide leadership, oversight, and accountability while keeping students at the center of every decision. The board sets the district’s vision, establishes policy, approves the budget, and ensures that taxpayer resources are being used responsibly and effectively.

    The board should not micromanage teachers or administrators, but it should ask the right questions, monitor results, and hold the superintendent accountable for carrying out board policy and achieving district goals.

    Curriculum is an important part of that oversight. The board should ensure that students have access to a strong, standards-aligned curriculum that prepares them for college, careers, and life. However, day-to-day instructional decisions should remain with qualified educators and administrators.

    Ultimately, I see the school board as the community’s voice and steward of the district, setting direction, providing accountability, listening to parents, teachers, staff, and students, and making sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.


    Q: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: I believe schools have an important responsibility to teach students how to disagree respectfully, listen to different perspectives, and engage in thoughtful, fact-based discussions. Civil discourse is a skill that must be taught and practiced, not simply expected.

    Students should have opportunities to discuss age-appropriate current events and important issues in classrooms where they can ask questions, respectfully challenge ideas, and learn to distinguish facts from opinions. Teachers should model how to disagree without being disrespectful while creating an environment where students feel comfortable expressing different viewpoints.

    I would like to see the district provide educators with appropriate resources and professional development to facilitate constructive discussions, while ensuring classrooms remain focused on learning rather than political advocacy. Students should be encouraged to consider multiple perspectives and support their positions with credible evidence.

    Ultimately, our schools should prepare students to participate in our democracy and become responsible members of their communities. We do not have to agree with one another to treat one another with respect. Teaching students to listen, think critically, disagree respectfully, and find common ground is an essential part of preparing them for life beyond the classroom.


    Endorsed by:

    • WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics)
      Ron Ruef is Recommended for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 7 in the 2026 General Election.


    Candidate in the News:

    “Capistrano Unified Principal for a Day program educates, impresses community members and business owners” — CUSD Insider, 2020
    Ruef participated in CUSD’s Principal for a Day program, which brought community leaders, business owners, and elected officials onto CUSD campuses to experience school operations firsthand. The article identifies Ruef as a former Mission Viejo Community Services Commissioner and includes a photograph of him speaking at the Principal for a Day luncheon at the CUSD district office on February 28, 2020.


    Public Voting Record:

    • Candidate has no previous record of holding public office


    Follow the Money: 

    • There’s limited information publicly available about Ron’s campaign donors - this could mean either that the information has not yet been uploaded, or that he does not have donors to share information on. 

    • At this time, Ron’s campaign appears largely self-funded, with a $5,000 contribution coming from himself to his campaign being all that is publicly listed.

  • Capistrano Unified School District, Area 7 (Candidate)


    Candidate Statement:

    “LINDA SHEPARD | Educator/Orange County Businesswoman

    I am passionate about education. I earned degrees from Saint Mary’s College and Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business.

    My work for young people has included:

    • Teaching accounting/finance at three universities

    • Teaching TK-3 students

    • Tutoring K-8 students

    • Tutoring high school geometry

    • Leading a Gifted and Talented Education career program

    • Helping build Discovery Science Center

    • 13 years organizing math and science family nights for Capistrano Unified School District schools

    • 24 years working with Scouting America families

    As a financial professional, I have been:

    • Chief Financial Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

    • Accounting Director, Taco Bell Corporation

    • Senior Manager, Finance, Los Angeles Market, Verizon

    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA), KPMG

    Capistrano Unified School District is facing years of declining enrollment and significant budget challenges. As an educator and CPA, I will work tirelessly to get us back on track. As your trustee on the Capistrano Unified School District board, I will:

    • Fight for a high-quality education for every student

    • Restore strong foundations in core subjects and American civics

    • Protect parental rights: ensure transparent access to curriculum

    • Defend local control and focus classroom resources on students

    • Demand complete accountability of taxpayer dollars

    I will bring an educator’s experience, mother’s perspective, and small business owner’s financial discipline to every decision. I am honored to be endorsed by Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Judy Bullockus, Lisa Zollinger, Jennifer Adnams, and Lisa

    Davis. I respectfully ask for your vote. www.lindaforcusd.com”


    Email: 


    Campaign Website: https://www.lindaforcusd.com/


    Priorities: 

    • Encourage Excellence in Core Subjects.

    • Prioritize Love of Learning

    • Develop Skills for Critical Thinking

    • Prepare for Life After High School

    • Parental Rights

    • Defend Local Control

    • Demand Fiscal Responsibility

    • Restore strong foundations in core subjects and American civics.

    • Enforce educational excellence in reading, writing, math and science.

    • Teach the truth that our Founders studied thousands of years of governance to create the American experiment of our U.S. Constitution.


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Endorsement Connections: Linda openly states that she is endorsed by current trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger, and Jennifer Adnams. It is important to note that these three candidates are openly anti-LGBTQ. Adams and Zollinger campaigned in 2024 with a special focus on fearmongering about trans kids in sports (of which there aren’t any to our knowledge in Capo USD), and Lisa Davis was behind the efforts to establish forced outing policies in Capo USD. All three are affiliated with the Heritage Foundation. Source 

    • Linda Shepard was photographed at a Lincoln Club Of Orange County function smiling and posing with notable anti-LGBTQ+ activists Sonja Shaw, Sophia Lorey, Brenda Lebsack, Lisa Sparks, and Mari Barke in an opinion article by The Truth OC, “A Worse Judy Bullockus?”, July 13, 2026. Sophia Lorey in particular is the spokeswoman for the California Family Council, which is a spin-off organization of Focus on the Family, and was the leading organization behind Prop 8 in 2008, which banned gay marriage in the state of California, a stance Lorey still openly supports. 

    • Voice of OC, “Here Are Mission Viejo Candidates’ Views on Election Rules, Fiscal Responsibility and the Environment⁠,” October 31, 2022. In a candidate questionnaire during her unsuccessful campaign for Mission Viejo City Council, Linda Shepard questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, claimed California makes voter fraud easy, and expressed distrust of mail-in voting. She also dismissed human-caused climate change, opposed rent control and protected bicycle lanes, and argued that homelessness is rarely caused by economic conditions or high housing costs.

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • The American Truth Project (As of 10.11.2026, the three pinned posts on this account were labeled ‘The Brutal Muslim Slave Trade’, ‘Patriotic Riders Riding Against Islam’, and ‘Islam has Conquered Michigan’. The second video is covering the islamophobia hate rally hosted in Dearborn, Michigan by violent white supremacist Jake Lang)

    • ISGAP International “The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy” (The posts on this page are explicitly Zionist. One reel near the top has the caption, “HAVE WE GOTTEN DUMBER? How Afghanistan proves that many activists are actually motivated by Jew hatred, and not justice.”) 


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    OC Register: Linda Shepard, Capistrano Unified School District Area 7 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

    Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: The school board has a strategic role to set policy direction for the district. The school board is an elected body charged with keeping the best interests of students in mind in both academics and activities. The school board ensures accountability that children are learning and meeting or exceeding grade-level targets each year.

    High school graduates should be prepared for the next steps in life — be it college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or employment — and have a grasp of the financial responsibilities of adulthood. The school board is also the steward of local taxpayers’ dollars. Money should be wisely spent to ensure a well-educated next generation.

    Q: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

    A: All students should be taught to be respectful of other people’s opinions, but an opinion requires some supporting evidence. Students need to be taught that opinions are to be formed based on data or facts that are evaluated. Consider the sources of information and any implicit bias. An excellent warning to children (and adults) is that if you hear news and your first reaction is emotional, stop and analyze. Emotion is often used to manipulate. The purpose of an education is to learn and develop the skills of critical thinking. This requires opening the mind. “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” -Joseph Joubert (1754-1824).

    Thus, it is acceptable to politely challenge opinions.


    Endorsed by: 

    • Madison Miner

      • Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. Her public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024, after she worked to pass a forced outing policy in the district. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.

    • Nancy’s Picks

      • Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

    • Reform California - (far-right organization led by Carl DeMaio)

    • Lisa Davis
      Board President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 3)

    • Jennifer Adnams
      Clerk of the Board, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 1)

    • Lisa Zollinger
      Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 2)

    • Judy Bullockus
      Board Vice President, Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 7

    • Trish Kelley
      City Council Member, Mission Viejo, District 4

    • Bob Ruesch
      City Council Member, Mission Viejo, District 1


    Candidate in the News:

    • (Left-Bias Opinion) The Truth OC, “A Worse Judy Bullockus?,” July 13, 2026. Linda Shepard is a candidate for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 7. The article reports that Shepard is aligned with far-right education activists, including CUSD Board President Lisa Davis, and has appeared publicly with prominent opponents of LGBTQ+ inclusion, including Sonja Shaw, Mari Barke, and Brenda Lebsack. It also notes that Shepard supported outgoing trustee Judy Bullockus and remained silent after Bullockus used a racial slur during a public board meeting—raising serious concerns about the ideology and judgment Shepard would bring to the board.

    • (Left-Bias Opinion) The Truth OC, “Linda Shepard is on the bus,” September 16, 2026
      Pearlman examines the CUSD Trustee Area 7 race, focusing primarily on candidate Linda Shepard’s campaign messaging, positions, endorsements, and use of a yellow-school-bus campaign graphic previously used by CUSD Trustees Lisa Davis, Jennifer Adnams, and Lisa Zollinger. Pearlman contrasts Shepard with Ron Ruef, describes Ruef favorably, and explicitly advocates for his election.

    • (Left-Bias Opinion) The Truth OC — “It’s the Company You Keep,” September 17, 2026
      Jeff Pearlman follows up on his earlier profile of Linda Shepherd after finding a photograph on Shepherd’s Instagram showing her with Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board and a 2026 candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

      • Pearlman uses the photograph to raise questions about Shepherd’s views on transgender students and whether she agrees with Shaw’s conduct and positions. Shaw has been a prominent opponent of transgender girls participating in girls’ athletics. In 2025, she attended a high-school track meet involving transgender student-athlete AB Hernandez and had a confrontation with Hernandez’s mother. Pearlman asks whether Shepherd considers Shaw’s conduct appropriate and how Shepherd, if elected to the CUSD Board, would respond to similar situations involving transgender students.

    Public Voting Record:

    • Candidate has no previous record of holding public office


    Follow the Money: 

    • $3,500 from The Lincoln Club of Orange County State PAC, an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group

    • $935.04 from The Lincoln Club of Orange County State PAC, an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group

    • $1,000 from Wayne Lindholm, Carralero received $1,000 from Lindholm, a former president of the conservative Lincoln Club of Orange County, identified by Voice of OC as president of the group

    • $2,148 from 1962 PAC of the Lincoln Club of Orange County, an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group


    • Linda paid $120 out of her campaign funds for a ticket to an event hosted by “Californians for Equal Rights Foundation” - the name could be considered misleading, as the organization’s website leads with “We are in a cultural war / The woke culture is destroying America and its future generations! We need all hands on deck to stop the attacks on our cultural values and our kids. All Americans must ACT NOW!’. The organization joined in on a lawsuit against San Francisco Unified to challenge an ethnic studies mandate, per their own website. Source

    • Linda also paid $100 in 2008 to “PROTECTMARRIAGE.COM - YES ON 8, A PROJECT OF CALIFORNIA RENEWAL”.

Orange County Board of Supervisors District 5

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement:

    “Supervisor Katrina Foley is an independent leader with a proven record of strengthening public safety, safeguarding taxpayers, and standing up for Orange County families. She believes government works best when it protects communities, respects individual privacy and personal decision-making, and delivers results. Despite dysfunction in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, she works to prioritize our Orange County way of life. Keeping Neighborhoods Safe: Supervisor Foley fully funded public safety, combated retail theft and burglaries, shut down illegal sober living homes, and decreased fentanyl epidemic overdoses.  She led the successful ban on recreational nitrous oxide and kratom, addressed e-bike safety, and strengthened wildfire preparedness. Reducing Homelessness: Katrina Foley worked with urgency to clear homeless encampments from parks, nature preserves, and flood channels to ensure public safety. She advocated to expand mental health and treatment programs, and supported increased development of workforce, affordable and supportive housing near job centers across the county. Strengthening Our Economy: A strong advocate for small businesses, she cut red tape, streamlined County services, and championed policies helping employers grow to create good-paying jobs. Reforming County Government: Following an egregious public corruption scandal by another supervisor, Supervisor Foley worked to restore integrity and accountability. She advanced ethics reforms, strengthened oversight of public contracts, and supported independent audits to identify corruption and eliminate waste.

    Supervisor Foley helped secure the County’s first AAA credit rating since the 1994 County bankruptcy. She believes the government must live within its means and deliver efficient results for every taxpayer dollar— without raising your taxes. 

    Katrina Foley was the only Supervisor to vote against a pay raise for the Board. Improving Services: Katrina Foley restored beaches damaged by erosion, opposed offshore oil drilling threatening our coastline, renovated libraries, reduced airport noise while improving services at John Wayne Airport, and strengthened programs for veterans, seniors, and youth. She supports cleaner water, and waste reduction over landfill expansion impacting surrounding communities.

    Katrina Foley is supported by organizations representing law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, educators, environmentalists, veterans, small businesses, and community leaders throughout Orange County. ‘As your Supervisor, I work everyday to protect Orange County’s neighborhoods, businesses, and quality of life. I don’t answer to partisan politics — I answer to you. We’ve made progress, but more work remains. I respectfully ask for your vote. Call (949) 229-6568 or email Hello@KatrinaFoley.com with your ideas or questions.’

    A successful businessowner, attorney, wife and mom, Katrina Foley served on the Board of Supervisors since 2021. She was the first directly elected Mayor of Costa Mesa, a City Councilmember, and Newport-Mesa School Board member.

    www.KatrinaFoley.com

    Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley”

    Email: hello@katrinafoley.com

    Campaign Website: 

    https://www.katrinafoley.com/

    While Foley doesn’t list her priorities on her website, she does have her accomplishments listed. As she is the incumbent, we are considering these as essentially the same thing. 

    • Economic Recovery

    • Enhanced Public Safety

    • Climate Action and Coastal Protection

    • Reduced Homelessness and Crafted Innovative Housing Solutions

    • Safeguarded Tax Dollars

    • Protected Public Health

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Foley was a Costa Mesa city council member from November 2004 to November 2010.

    • Foley was a trustee on the NMUSD board from November 2010 to November 2014.

    • Foley’s staff are often seen tabling for her office at Orange County Pride events throughout the year.

    • After the OC Board of Supervisors voted to ban the Pride Flag in 2023, Foley and Vicente Sarmiento, the two dissenting votes, worked with LGBTQ+ partners in the county to meet with impacted community members and had a photo opportunity with the Giant Pride Flag owned by Pride at the Pier. 

    Foley isn’t without her criticism:

    • Local LGBTQ+ partners have expressed concern over what they feel is her reticence to be more bold in protecting LGBTQ+ rights; while she appears to be the strongest ally to LGBTQ+ community members among the three candidates for this seat, there have been calls in the past for her to do more. 

    • Foley received the endorsement of the Democratic Party of Orange County for this current race over a year ago, long before officially filing - something that some felt was restricting the ability of more progressive candidates to successfully campaign for this seat. 

    Social Media Links: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatrinaFoleyOC

    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/katrinafoley

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinafoleyoc

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • During the Board of Supervisors meeting where the Pride Flag was banned at county locations, Foley dissented, saying, “We need to make sure that the community knows we care and that we're a safe place”. 

    • In the same meeting, she went on to say, “We’ve spent millions of dollars investing in suicide prevention. But sometimes, suicide prevention is as simple as a rainbow flag flying in the wind on a government building, telling our most vulnerable children we welcome them, and we will keep them safe.”

    Endorsed by: 

    • Orange County Democrats

    • California Fraternal Order of Police

    • Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs

    • Orange County Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (OC Cops)

    • Orange County Professional Firefighters Association

    • Orange County Business Council's Political Action Committee (BIZPAC)

    • Costa Mesa Police Association

    • Irvine Police Association

    • Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties Community Action Fund

    • Veterans Alliance of Orange County (VALOR)

    • Orange County Labor Federation

    • Orange County Employees Association

    • Sierra Club

    • Orange County League of Conservation Voters

    • Coast Federation of Teachers

    • National Union of Healthcare Workers

    • LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council

    • Operating Engineers Local 12

    • IBEW Local 441

    • Laborers Local 652

    • UA Plumbers Local 582

    • American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Local 2076

    • Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters

    • Teamsters Joint Council 42

    • United Food & Commercial Workers Local 324

    • United Domestic Workers

    • UNITE HERE Local 11

    • Democratic Party of Orange County

    • Women for American Values and Ethics

    • Women in Leadership

    • Newport Beach Firefighters

    • Costa Mesa Firefighters

    • Chief David Snowden, Former Costa Mesa Chief of Police

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • Foley voted YES on banning Homeless Encampments in OC Parks and Flood Channels - this followed the Supreme Court decision that allows law enforcement to arrest unhoused individuals for ‘camping’. 

    • Foley voted NO on banning the Pride Flag on county flag poles. 

    • Foley voted NO on salary increases for the Board of Supervisors.

    Follow the Money: 

    • $2,700 from Teamsters Local 396 PAC

    • $1,000 from Irvine Democratic Club

    • $1,000 from the Newport Beach Firefighters Association

    • $1,000 from Belinda Kiesecker, CEO of Otra Mas

    • $2,700 from Elim Kay, the CEO of KA Capital Management

    • $125 from Carol Crane, a board trustee at Newport Mesa USD

    • $2,649 from Perry Bridger, Public Affairs with Edward Lifesciences

    • $1,065 from Rhonda Bolton, former Huntington Beach City Council member

    • $2,500 from Southern California District Council of Laborers PAC (ID# 1358150)

    • $1,100 from Denys Oberman, CEO of Oberman Associates, Inc

    • $2,700 from Building a Stronger California, Sponsored by Western States Council of Carpenters (ID# 870169)

    • $1,250 from Newport Beach Women's Democratic Club

    • Foley has a significant number of $26 donations, which appears to be the result of targeted fundraising being directed at individuals who are more working class and middle class. The majority of her donations are under $500. 

    • Foley also has a number of donations from individuals working at various law firms - potentially because she herself is an attorney and these are professional connections.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement:

    “DIANE DIXON

    California State Assemblywoman

    Politics is broken, and Orange County families are paying the price. Grocery bills. Gas prices. Utility costs. Everything keeps going up while career politicians put special interests or advancing their careers ahead of the people they’re supposed to serve. I’ve had enough. I’m Diane Dixon, a proud, lifelong Conservative and former Fortune 300 executive who got involved because Orange County needed someone to take charge and lead. As an Orange County State Assemblywoman, I've fought policies that increased taxes and mandates, held government accountable and supported law enforcement. Now, I’m running for the Orange County Board of Supervisors to bring that same leadership home.

    Fighting for Affordability; Californians deserve better as families have been crushed and small businesses pushed to the brink. Costly mandates, reckless spending and constant tax increases have made it impossible for families to make ends meet. I’ll oppose tax and fee increases, promote policies that help local businesses grow and thrive and work to improve housing affordability. That’s why the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has endorsed me. They trust me to make Orange County affordable again. Stopping the Crime Wave; The most fundamental responsibility of the government is keeping families safe. Yet some politicians have embraced a radical, soft-on-crime ideology that defunded law enforcement and made it harder to lock up criminals. Violent crime and robberies in Orange County have increased since 2021. It needs to stop. In the Legislature, I authored Alexandra’s Law to hold repeat fentanyl dealers criminally accountable, and I’ve stood side-by-side with law enforcement while others turned their backs on them. As your County Supervisor, I’ll take on the soft-on-crime agenda and ensure our sheriffs and first responders have the resources they need, and I’ll fight to restore law and order. Bringing Accountability Back to Government; Orange County residents are fed up with taxpayer dollars flowing to political allies, backroom deals and decisions made without transparency or scrutiny. As your Supervisor, I’ll require competitive bidding for contracts, full public disclosure of spending, strict conflict-of-interest rules and full oversight before any major vote is taken. No more political favors. No more excuses. Orange County deserves honest leadership and a Supervisor who fights for you. I would be honored to earn your vote. Diane Dixon: Common-Sense Conservative for Orange County Board of Supervisors.”

    Email: None Found

    Campaign Website: https://dixonforoc.com/ 

    On her website, she lists the following priorities:

    • Public Safety

    • Protecting Small Businesses

    • Coastal Protection

    • Securing Needed Funding for Orange County

    • Supporting Families

    • Bills Passed and Signed Into Law

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    Social Media Links: 

    Assemblymember Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diane_dixon_asm/

    Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixonforoc/

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    Endorsed by:

    Republican Party of Orange County 

    California College Republicans

    Lincoln Club of OC

    The New Majority

    Californian Republican Assembly

    Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association

    California Women’s Leadership Association

    She’s also been endorsed by the following individuals who are known as being publicly and openly MAGA and anti-LGBTQ+: 

    • Ed Laird

    • Dr. Stefan Bean (OC BOE)

    • Mari Barke (OC BOE)

    • Tim Shaw (OC BOE)

    • Jorge Valdes, Esq. (OC BOE)

    • Dr. Ken Williams (OC BOE)

    • Lisa Sparks (OC BOE)

    • Steve Knoblock (San Clemente City Councilmember who tried to push through an anti-abortion resolution in his city)

    • Noah Blom (Newport Beach CC)

    • Joe Stapleton (Newport Beach CC)

    • Will O’Neill (OC GOP Chairman)

    • Tony Strickland (Assemblymember and Fmr. HB City Council)

    • Casey McKeon (HB Mayor)

    • Mike Munzing (Aliso Viejo CC, tried to pass a Pride flag ban)

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • 2025 - AB 554 (González) - PrEPARE Act: Aims to increase access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Dixon: NO VOTE RECORDED

    • 2025 - AB 1487 (Santiago) - 2STGI Wellness & Equity Fund: Establishes a fund for 2-Spirit, Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Intersex wellness. Dixon: NO

    • 2025 - AB 82 (Ward) - Transgender/Nonbinary Health Privacy: Protects privacy for gender-affirming care, including preventing reporting of specific hormones to monitoring programs. Dixon: NO VOTE RECORDED

    • 2025 - SB 278 (Becker) - HIV Test Results: Updates protocols for reporting HIV test results. Dixon: AYE

    • 2025 - SB 418 (Ennis) - Access to Care: Ensures equal access to care for all. Dixon: NO

    • 2025 - SB 504 (Wahab) - HIV Data Reporting: Modifies HIV data reporting requirements. Dixon: AYE

    • 2025 - AB 715 (Zbur) - California Attorney Protection Act: Addresses legal protections. Dixon: AYE

    • 2025 - AB 1084 (Zbur) - ID Documents: Streamlining identification documents for transgender Californians. Dixon: NO

    • 2025 - SB 59 (Wiener) - Transgender Privacy Act: Privacy protections for transgender Californians changing their names and gender markers. Dixon: NO

    • 2025 - SB 497 (Wiener) - Sensitive Health Data. Dixon: NO

    • 2024 - AB 1979 (Ward) - Would allow victims to sue those responsible for doxxing in civil court for as much as $30,000, plus attorneys’ fees and court costs. Dixon: NO

    Follow the Money:

    The Main Take-Away: Dixon’s campaign is very well-funded, with the majority of her donations being large dollar amounts from retirees, wealth managers, CEOs, and those in the property industry (realtors, investors, managers, etc). 

    • A significant number of her donors are retirees with no employers listed.

    • $1,000 from David Simpson, the President of Simpson Auto Group

    • $1,000 from Eron Eklund, the CEO of Aerosoft Systems

    • $1,000 from Linda Shirvanian, with Komar Investments

    • $1,000 from Vache Hanessian, with KMS Properties Inc

    • $1,000 from Robert Friedman, founder of F&F Capital Group

    • $1,700 from Steve Knoblock, San Clemente City Council member who tried to ban abortion within San Clemente 

    • $1,000 from BOMA OC PAC (ID# 1347850), the political action committee for the Building Owners and Managers Association of Orange County. This PAC also donated to the campaign for Mark A. Murphy for Orange Mayor in 2022. 

    • $2,000 from Cathy Capaldi, the COO for BrightHome Equities, a real estate firm

    • $2,700 from Rodney Emery, the CEO of Steadfast Companies, a real estate firm

    • $500 from Eric Snyder, with Commercial Real Estate Talonvest Capital

    • $2,700 from Fariborz Maseeh, a hedge fund manager with Picoco LLC

    • $2,000 from Kent R. Valley, a developer with Majestic Realty

    • $2,700 from the Southern California Contractors Association PAC (ID# 881014)

    • $2,700 from CREPAC - CA Real Estate PAC (ID# 890106), the PAC associated with the California Assoc. of Realtors, who are known for being anti-regulation, anti-rent control, and pro-business. They also Doug Cirbo’s campaign for Lake Forest city council in 2022.

    • $2,000 from Timothy Busch, the CEO of Pacific Hospitality Group, a hotel management and investment firm

    • $1,000 from Trevor O’Neill, with Real Estate Renaissance Partners

    • $1,200 from William Kenney, a real estate broker with The Kenney Company

    • $2,500 from Roger Darnell, a real estate broker with Majestic Realty Co

    • $1,000 from Alicia Cannon, a realtor with Alicia Cannon Real Estate

    • $2,700 from Jim Davis, Vice President at Mesa Management, a property management company in Newport Beach. 

    • $2,700 from Steve Mensinger, President at Mesa Management, a property management company in Newport Beach.

    • $2,700 from David Bahnsen, a wealth advisor with The Bahnsen Group


    NOTE: The preceding list was from 26 pages of her most recent campaign filing, which was 53 pages long, and does not include those who donated to her previous political campaigns. We feel at this point you get the point, but please feel free to dig further by clicking through the hyperlinks and looking for yourself.

Orange County Board of Education District 5

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement:

    “For the past eight years as your OCBE Trustee, I have fought for students and parental rights to ensure families are fully informed about curricular decisions and safety protocols that impact student learning outcomes both in and out of the classroom. I am a mother of three children educated across the Orange County public school system, a nationally recognized scholar-teacher, and the inaugural dean who built Chapman University’s School of Communication. In addition to serving as your trustee, my leadership experience includes:

    Dean and Professor, School of Communication, Chapman University Postdoctoral Certifications in Management and Leadership in Education, Harvard University Chair and Director of Graduate Studies, Chapman University Director of General Education and Graduate Studies, George Mason University TED Speaker. 

    My experience leading a comprehensive college at Chapman University prepared me to guide the Orange County Department of Education by providing oversight for balanced budgets, strengthening fiscal accountability, and increasing curricular excellence.

    I strongly support our public education system—including both community and public charter schools—by advocating for efficient policies, responsible fiscal decisions, and putting resources directly into classrooms. As community members, our duty is to teach children to think critically, read, write, and analyze. Parents and students are often stressed and frustrated with their K–12 experiences, and these challenges must be addressed with thoughtful, systematic solutions.”

    Email: 

    Campaign Website: 

    https://sparksforschools.com/

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Lisa, who runs on the dog-whistle “parental rights”, is heavily affiliated with anti-LGBTQ voices across the region, and has voted against LGBTQ+ interests every time they’ve come across her desk, including a vote to sue the state of CA over AB 1955. This lawsuit is demanding the right for the school board to terminate teachers who don’t out trans students to their parents. 

    • Lisa has served as the Dean of Communications at Chapman University. 

    • Lisa is a fellow within The Club For Growth Foundation. This is important! The CFG Foundation is the non-profit “education” wing of the Club For Growth, one of the most powerful and well-funded conservative organizations in the United States. CFG is essentially the political enforcement arm of radical free-market capitalism within the US. Their agenda is a blueprint for the total commodification of public services and the concentration of wealth. They were a major driver behind the “Big Beautiful Bill” in 2025, pushing for Medicaid work requirements, cuts to SNAP, repealing climate credits, tax cut extensions for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. They also lobby for the privatization of programs like Social Security and Medicare, the dismantling of public education, and the abolishment of estate taxes, which would allow the wealthiest 1% to get around tax obligations. They are successful in pushing for these policies through their method of aggressively funding the replacement of any Republican they view as too “moderate” on these issues - a long-term method that has reaped them significant results. This can be seen in one particularly startling way - of the 147 Congress members who voted against certifying the 2020 election results, CFG was their largest financial donor across the board, with a whopping $20 million spent across 2018 and 2020 on their campaigns. As a fellow within this organization, Lisa assists with these efforts. 

    Social Media Links: 

    LIKELY DEFUNCT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vote4sparks/

    LIKELY DEFUNCT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaSparksCA/

    LIKELY DEFUNCT “Chef” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef_sparky/

    Private Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisasparks98/

    Follows on Instagram:

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • During a press conference over the OC BOE’s choice to dismantle ethnic studies, Lisa said this to the crowd; “In many of its iterations, CRT seems to reject the idea that America is a fundamentally free country, born out of lofty aspirations, and concludes instead that our country is fundamentally flawed and designed only to protect white privilege (...) It is not unreasonable to affirm that critical race theory is designed to convey hostile, divisive, race-obsessed, poisonous, elitist, non-inclusive ideas”.

    Endorsed by: 

    Republican Party of Orange County

    California College Republicans

    Orange County Sheriff, Don Barnes

    Orange County Superintendent, Dr. Stefan Bean

    Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Tim Shaw

    Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Mari Barke

    Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Dr. Ken Williams

    Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Jorge Valdes

    Newport Beach Mayor (ret.) Will O’Neill (Note: He is also currently the Chair of the OC GOP)

    Newport Beach City Mayor Pro Tem, Noah von Blom

    Newport Beach City Council Member, Michelle Barto

    Newport Beach City Council Member, Robyn Grant

    Aliso Viejo Mayor Pro Tem, Mike Munzing (Note: Mike Munzing authored the failed Pride Flag ban for Aliso Viejo in 2025)

    Lake Forest Council Member, Scott Voights

    Mission Viejo Mayor, Wendy Bucknam

    Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor, Tony Beall

    Candidate in the News:

    • The Chapman University newspaper, the Panther, has written about Sparks extensively. You can find some of those articles here, here, here, and here.

    • The Voice of OC wrote about the controversial Covid-19 report that the OC BOE issued in June of 2020, where they pushed back on recommended remote learning policies. In the article, it says, ‘Lisa Sparks, a member of the board and Dean of Communication at Chapman University, stressed that the recommendations in the report calling masks and social distancing harmful for children came from the panel’s deliberations in a recent NPR interview. “That line was from the experts on our panel,” Sparks said. “We had pediatric experts on our panel. We had policy makers on our panel.” But now, multiple members of that panel have disavowed the report, saying it does not represent their views and that they were never consulted on the document.’

    • The OC Register published a small write-up about election night results during the 2022 election cycle for the seat Sparks is now an incumbent in. 

    • NPR interviewed Sparks in July of 2020 after the OC BOE made the decision to re-open schools for in person learning. A key section of that interview went as follows; 

    MCCAMMON: “Orange County is logging an average of nearly 1,000 new coronavirus cases every day. If the schools in your area go back to normal and there is a major outbreak, if the death toll starts to climb, what should happen?”

    SPARKS: “Yeah. It's my understanding from the research that the kids age 25 and below, certainly 18 below, in Orange County, there are zero - I think there's zero deaths. There are very, very low deaths with young children under the age of - I believe it's 25. So I think that's another big, important component here to the decision-making about reopening K-12 schools.”

    MCCAMMON: “Yes. But, again, what about the people who are not under 25, all of the people in the community that live with those children and have contact with them on a regular basis?”

    SPARKS: “Absolutely. And those are decisions that families are going to need to make based on their own family situation. But to have that parent choice, that family choice, is going to be really important.”

    Follow the Money: via the link

    • Mark Bucher donated a total of $45,000 to Sparks’ 2022 campaign. Bucher is the co-founder and former CEO of the California Policy Center, a major anti-LGBTQ, anti-public education thinktank that is deeply involved in California politics. Source Source 

    • Lisa’s 2018 campaign received over $36,000 in the form of in-kind donations from a Charter Schools PAC Source Source

    Lisa’s 2018 campaign received $5,000 from The Family Action PAC, a SoCal group that fights for forced outing policies, book bans, curriculum restrictions, and equal access in sports. Much of their funding comes from local real estate developers and individual high-net-worth conservative donors in coastal OC, allowing them to influence local politics anonymously. Source

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement: NONE

    Email: Not found

    Campaign Website: 

    https://jasonsamsocbe.com/

    From Sams’ Website:

    “What I'll Fight For

    · Transparency in education funding and decision-making

    · Accountability at every level of board governance

    · Equitable opportunity for every student, in every community

    Academic & Legal Background

    I bring extensive experience in law, governance, finance, and public accountability — providing the expertise needed for responsible board oversight, fiscal stewardship, and ethical decision-making:

    • Master of Laws (LL.M.) (ABD): International Commercial Law~Salford University

    • Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.): Business and Corporate Governance Law, Compliance – Loyola University Chicago School of Law

    • Bachelor of Science (B.S.): Administrative Studies – Roosevelt University

    • Associate Degrees: Executive Accounting; Business Administration (Finance and Investment Management) – Northwestern College

    I’m running for the Orange County Board of Education because our public school community stakeholders deserve good governance, and visibility into how decisions are made at the board level.  I will govern with public interest as my focus.”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Sams currently serves as an advisory board member at Roosevelt University’s College of Humanities and Education and Social Services in Chicago and an advisory committee member for Eden SMG Housing, an organization based in Redlands.

    Social Media Links: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsedsams/

    Other social media platforms were not found. 

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    He was at a Meet the Candidates event hosted by South OC 4 Democracy. In a post they made to advertise the event, they attribute to him; “Jason believes that public education works best when decisions are transparent, leadership is accountable, and students - not systems - come first. He has extensive experience working at the intersection of education, governance, law, and finance, and has spent 30 years of his career advocating for and defending marginalized groups.”

    In an article by the LAist, Sams is quoted with the following. 

    • “First priority is addressing the deficit. Second, secure special education services for special needs. Thirdly, I will create protection and mentally healthy space for all youth. I will work with county, state and federal departments and build relationships that can provide facilitation of federal funds. This can be done by petitioning courts and governing bodies to hear budgetary issues, special needs issues and services. Accountability will highlight the laws, which if enforced, will create conversation and voting movement among board members thereby provoking action among inactivity.”

    • On the topic of charter schools; “I will utilize criteria such as what type of credentialing exists for teachers and staff within the charter program (...) What kind of internal controls currently exist within charter management, which can work to prevent self-dealing and fiscal irresponsibility? Lastly, in what ways do charter schools decrease homeowner value? (...) Charter schools resulted from the Orange County Board of Education not successfully securing funds from the federal government 25 years ago. This led to massive debt and decreased services to special needs youth. As a result, parents began looking for other options to provide services for their children.”

    Endorsed by: 

    No endorsements found, but he was given a platform to speak by OC Indivisible and South OC 4 Democracy. 

    Follow the Money: 

    No campaign finance filings found

49th District, House of Representatives

Due to bandwidth limitations, our fully volunteer team will not be able to cover all of the legislative races in this guide. Thank you for understanding, and please check out the local races we did cover.

36th District, CA State Senate

Due to bandwidth limitations, our fully volunteer team will not be able to cover all of the legislative races in this guide. Thank you for understanding, and please check out the local races we did cover.

74th District, CA State Assembly

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County Assessor

The county assessor acts like Orange County’s head bookkeeper, making sure all the money is handled correctly. The assessor take care of paying the bills and the workers, keeping track of all the money coming in, and writing the final reports on how the county spent its budget.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*Campaign Statement:

    “CLAUDE PARRISH

    My commitments upon taking office were:

    To, eliminate waste. Since 2015 I returned $17,039,843 in funds from my office budget to the County by carefully monitoring expenses. To, continue to extend the deadline for tax appeals from September 15th to November 30th. Now taxpayers have an additional 75 days to file appeals. To, complete each year the Property Tax Roll on time, a first since my election in 2015.

    To, create a Taxpayer Advocate office. Now we have “A Public Defender for the Taxpayer” to assist taxpayers with property tax problems. The Advocate’s office has helped more than 10,800 taxpayers since its inception. Established a Business Tax Resolution Specialist in 2024. 

    Over 400 taxpayers have been assisted with business property and vessel assessment issues. To, establish a South County satellite office. We now have, in Mission Viejo City Hall, a rent-free office. To, allow taxpayers all lawful exemptions and exclusions that they are qualified for, without undue bureaucratic delays. To, reduce appeals from 19,507 in 2015 to 8,027 due to more accurate valuations. To protect Proposition 13. Having always maintained an open-door policy, you may call me (714) 834-2734. 

    I respectfully ask for your vote.”

    Email: cparrish9@cox.net / ocassessor@asr.ocgov.com 

    Phone: (714) 834-2734

    Campaign Website: http://www.claudeparrish.com/

    Claude listed the following priorities on his campaign website:

    • Extend the deadline for tax appeals from September 15th to November 30th, giving taxpayers an additional 75 days to file appeals.

    • Create a Taxpayer Advocate Office to assist taxpayers with filing assessment appeals and navigating California’s complex tax laws.

    • Establish a south county satellite office in existing county office space, with current local employees, at no additional cost to taxpayers.

    • Allow taxpayers all lawful exemptions that they are qualified for without undue bureaucratic delays.

    • In many instances, due to the over billings and errors of the current Assessor, our County had a record high of 25,080 property tax appeals work load in one year. These appeals negatively impact property owners, small business, and seniors, Claude Parrish will bring accuracy and fairness to the process.

    • This website was not online in early April, during which time he was interviewed by the LAist, who also asked him about his priorities. Per that article, “What are some of your priorities if you are re-elected? “Main priority is I am available, which is unusual for an elected official,” Parrish told LAist. “You call me and you got me, and that’s just about impossible. When I try to call congressmen, assemblymen, mayors, councilmen, I can never get them. But you got me right away.” He added that he would like to give employees in the Assessor’s Office a wage increase. “They don’t get enough money, and they didn’t raise the money for two years, and this is wrong,” he said. “I can’t take money out of my pocket and pay them.” Parrish added that he would like to maintain the department’s standards and make sure property taxes do not go up by more than 2%.

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Claude faced a workplace misconduct investigation during his time as assessor that found he violated gender discrimination and retaliation policies and harassed a subordinate over her medical disability. According to the assessor’s filings, Claude; 

      • “Downplayed the employee’s chronic medical condition as a “tummy ache”

      • Shared her private medical information with coworkers

      • Regularly commented on her diet

      • Told her to stop taking her prescribed medication 

      • Made her “drink baking soda mixed with tap water to ‘fix’ her medical condition””

    • In addition to the investigations into workplace ableism, the report, filed in 2023, found in favor of his employees’ complaints. Per the LAist, “It is more likely than not that Parrish routinely refers to male employees as ‘Mr.’ and female employees by their first name, based on their gender,” the investigation found. “The cumulative effect of Parrish's practice of using formal, deferential means of addressing men, while using informal, casual means of addressing women serves to highlight a subservient relationship between such employees, based on their sex.”

    • In the aftermath of the Tustin Hangar Fire (RIP that piece of Orange County History), Claude found himself in the midst of a small scandal, as he sent notices to 23,000 homeowners who were still dealing with pollution fears in the area, asking them to submit forms for to have the value of their homes re-evaluated, without communicating with the City of Tustin first. Per the LAist, “Tustin’s mayor, Austin Lumbard, lambasted the decision to send out the notices without notifying the city as it can cause ‘unnecessary alarm.’”

    • His most recent elected position prior to this was as a councilmember on the Lake Forest City Council, where he was recalled by a 49% margin in 2018 after multiple terms.  The recall election only brought in 17.5% voter engagement.  Supporters of the recall were displeased with his decision to increase residential zoning in the city.

    Prior Positions / Experience:

    • Former Vice-Chairman of the State Board of Equalization, Third Equalization District

    • Served as a Los Angeles County Insurance Commissioner. 

    • Appointed as Vice President of management by a large real estate trust where he was in charge of managing properties in excess of 450 million dollars.

    • Supervised the management of ABC’s Entertainment Center and West Coast Corporate Headquarters in Century City. 

    • Held positions in management, finance and the securities industry.

    • A District Committeeman for the Los Angeles Area Council of Boy Scouts of America

    • Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Republican party

    • Corporate Controller of a securities firm.

    • Holds a degree in accounting and graduated from college Summa Cum Laude.

    • Claude highlights in his campaign media quotes from letters received from President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and Governor George Deukmejian in 2014.

    Social Media Links: 

    • No presence on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • No presence on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

    Endorsed by:

    • Republican Party of Orange County 

    • California College Republicans

    • List of Endorsements on Parrish’s Campaign Website

    • From campaign website:

      • Orange County Republican Party (Unanimous)

      • Howard Jarvis Tax Taxpayers Association

      • California Republican Assembly (Unanimous)

      • National Tax Limitation Committee (Unanimous)

      • Orange County Register

      • ATLAS Political Action Committee

      • 35th Governor of California, George Deukmejian

      • Lieutenant Governor, Ed Reinecke, (retired) (served under Governor Reagan)

      • Law School Professor/Journalist, Hugh Hewitt

      • Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher

      • Congressman, Darrell Issa

      • Congressman, Tom McClintock

      • National Republican Committeeman for California, Shawn Steel

      • State Board of Equalization Member, Michelle Steel

      • State Board of Equalization Member, Bill Leonard, (retired)

      • State Senator, Mimi Walters

      • State Senator, Dick Ackerman, (retired)

      • State Assemblyman, Tim Donnelly

      • State Assemblyman, Don Wagner

      • State Assemblywoman, Diane Harkey

      • Orange County Clerk Recorder, Hugh Nguyen

      • Former Assessor candidate, Jorge O. Lopez

    • Other Endorsements - http://www.claudeparrish.com/endorsements/ 

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record: 

    • Nothing found

    Follow the Money: via the link

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement:

    “JANET KEO CONKLIN AGE: 55

    Councilwoman/Businesswoman

    My family fled Cambodia in 1975 with nothing, seeking political asylum and opportunity in America. My father and brother, (Army, Veteran Foreign War), both patriots, defended our nation through military service. Today, I carry their legacy forward as a City Councilwoman, small business owner, realtor, veterans advocate, and mom. I keenly understand the needs of renters, homeowners and business-owners through my real estate broker experience and as Founder of La Palma's Chamber of Commerce. 

    On the city council, I champion public safety, economic development, transparency, and common-sense policies that keep our city thriving. As your Assessor, I'll ensure every homeowner and renter knows their rights. I'll guide families through Prop 13 and Prop 19 rules, helping them preserve their low tax bases and keep their homes. I'll protect vulnerable populations from unfair valuation spikes while expanding opportunities for middle-income families, younger buyers, and first-time homeowners. I'll modernize Assessor technology to make the office more efficient, saving taxpayers millions. I’ll also implement strict protocols safeguarding your personal data from breach & unauthorized access.

    I'm running to bring fairness and transparency to property assessments—helping families make their American Dream a reality. Join me. Learn more at janetforassessor.com. Contact me at janet4assessor@gmail.com. 714-595-1096”

    Email: janet4assessor@gmail.com

    Campaign Website: https://www.janetforassessor.com/

    • Janet leads her website with the following priorities; “Fair Assessments. Clear Guidance. Accountability.”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    Prior Experience:

    • Councilmember, City of La Palma. There have not been any LGBTQ+ related items on the city council agendas for La Palma as far as we could find. 

    • Secretary/Treasurer of the Women’s Caucus in League of California Cities for 2024-2025

    • Business Owner - Licensed Real Estate Broker - Self-employed

    • Community Advocate

    Education: 

    • UC Irvine - Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science, Government, Policy, and International Economics 

    Social Media Links: 

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetkeoconklin4assessor / https://www.instagram.com/janetkeoconklin/ (private)

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janet.keoconklin/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/janet4assessor / https://twitter.com/JanetKeoConklin 

    Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@janetKeoConklin

    Threads: https://www.threads.com/@janetkeoconklin 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetconklin/ 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Twitter (campaign account)

      • City of Irvine @City_of_Irvine

      • Teamsters  @Teamsters

      • City of Laguna Beach @lagunabeachgov

      • City of Santa Ana @CityofSantaAna

      • City of Tustin @CityofTustin

      • Great Park @yourgreatpark

      • Orange Police Department (California) @CityOfOrangePD

      • NAR Research @NAR_Research

      • OCFA @OCFireAuthority

      • Irvine Police Department @IrvinePolice

      • City of Huntington Beach @CityofHBPIO

      • OC Fire Watch @OCFireWatch

      • City of Costa Mesa @CityofCostaMesa

      • Voice of OC @VoiceofOC

      • CA ASSN OF REALTORS® @CAREALTORS

      • National Association of REALTORS® @nardotrealtor

      • OC Parks @OCParks

    • Twitter (personal account)

      • Michael Trujillo @mikehtrujillo

      • Janet for Assessor @janet4assessor

      • Asm Phil Ting @AsmPhilTing

      • City of La Palma @CityofLaPalma

      • Lorelei Lachman @LoreleiLachman

      • Elon Musk @elonmusk 

      • Real Estate Law @LegalRealEstate

      • Luxury Real Estate @propgoluxury

    • Instagram (campaign account)

      • loscerritosdems Los Cerritos Democratic Club of LA—OC

      • vfw7243hawaiiangardens VFW Post 7243 Hawaiian Gardens

      • ivcdems Irvine Valley College Democrats

      • ocgov County of Orange

      • stephanieoddoforlagunaniguel Stephanie Oddo, Laguna Niguel Council Member

      • joni_ricks_oddie Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie

      • vietdems Vietnamese American Democratic Club

      • katieliaa 𝒦𝒶̨𝓉𝒾𝑒̨ ꫂ ၴႅၴ

      • charliechenyl Charlie Chen

      • michaeljluellen Michael Luellen II

      • councilmemberbettymartinez Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco

      • ngpcalifornia Next Gen Politics California.

      • ochttf Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force

      • alisonigueldemocraticclub Aliso Niguel Democratic Club

      • democraticwomenofsouthoc Democratic Women of South Orange County

      • liu4irvine Melinda Liu

      • lacassessor Assessor Jeff Prang

      • emmy_donnelly15 ᓚᘏᗢ mêœw

      • voteryanpham Ryan H. Pham

      • fullertoncollegedems Fullerton College Democrats

      • democraticpartyofoc Democratic Party of OC

      • votedanrocha Dan Rocha

      • votearestegui Ariana Arestegui

      • votehelentran Helen Tran

      • coalitionpac Coalition PAC

      • democraticclubofseal Democratic Club of Seal Beach

      • nbwdc NBWDC

      • giovannichavezoc Giovanni Chavez

      • davemin_ca Dave Min

      • missenergyhealer Janice Joy

      • chrisduncanca Chris Duncan

      • demsofnoc Democrats of North OC (DNOC)

      • councilwoman_janetkconklin

      • collegedems.uci College Democrats at UCI

      • fionamacpa Fiona Ma

      • letitiacclark Dr. Letitia Clark

      • occ_dems College Democrats at OCC

      • george1ely Councilman Jorge Herrera Ávila

      • official.g.d.new.win 阮杜福 - G Nguyen

      • frank_yokoyama Frank Aurelio Yokoyama

      • pulidoforassembly Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Pulido

      • cahsdems California High School Democrats

      • thomaswongsgv Thomas Wong

      • tsorey Therese Sorey

      • ryanhpham Ryan Pham

      • adino291 Arnel Dino

    • Instagram (personal account) following 424

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Nothing significant found beyond campaign messaging and general platitudes 

    Endorsed by: 

    According to the list at https://www.janetforassessor.com/endorsements, Conklin is endorsed by:

    • Derek Tran

    • Fiona Ma

    • Bob Archuleta

    • Victor Sarmiento

    • Sharon Quirk Silva

    • Frank Aurelio Yokoyama

    • Joyce Ahn

    • Letitia Clark

    • Chris Duncan

    • Leo Medrano

    • Connor Traut

    • David Penaloza

    • Ariana Arestegui

    • Carlos Fracno

    • Natalie Rubalcalva

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    Follow the Money: via the link

Superintendent of Public Instruction

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction oversees the rules for all California schools and decides what students are taught in their classrooms. They can support queer students by making sure they see themselves in their school books and can use the right names and bathrooms, but they could also cause harm by removing inclusive lessons or allowing rules that take away a student's privacy.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide

    ***PRIDE AT THE PIER CONTENT WARNING: 

    • THIS ELECTION GUIDE FOR SONJA SHAW INCLUDES MANY EXAMPLES OF TRANSPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIA FROM THIS CANDIDATE, AND MAY BE UPSETTING FOR SOME. 

    • The information in this guide is a very small percentage of the homophobic and transphobic actions and statements made by this candidate.

    • Statements made by this candidate are rife with misinformation. We are simply sharing to educate voters on the stances of this candidate and what they have been quoted as saying by other sources. Please check all sources for cited information.

    Campaign Statement:

    “California's public schools are failing our children. Fewer than half can read or write at grade level. Girls' sports are under attack, with female athletes losing medals and scholarships. Many even change in their cars before practice because they feel unsafe in locker rooms. This is unacceptable. As a mother of two daughters, I was elected President of the Chino Valley Unified School Board because parents demanded change. We delivered. When I took office in 2022, our district faced the same problems seen across California: poor grades, declining test scores, political distractions in classrooms, and girls losing fairness and privacy. We chose a different path. We refocused on reading, writing, and math. Protected girls' sports and private spaces. Cut bureaucracy. Directed resources back into classrooms, where they belong. The results were undeniable. Student outcomes improved, and independent research recognized our district as a model for post-COVID academic recovery. That success didn't come from Sacramento mandates. It came from parents who linked arms and stood up for common sense. As State Superintendent, I will bring that same leadership statewide. I will be an independent advocate for students and families, not political insiders. My plan is simple: restore high academic standards in reading, writing, and math; protect Title IX, ensuring fairness and safety for girls; give parents a real seat at the table; support excellent teachers; and cut wasteful bureaucracy. The blueprint exists at the local level. We've proven it works. Let's deliver results for every California student. Learn more at ShawForCA.com.

    6939 Schaefer Avenue, Suite D #119Chino, CA 91710Tel: (949) 495-1310E-mail: info@shawforca.comX: @realSonjaShawInstagram: @SonjaShaw2026 “

    Email: info@shawforca.com

    Campaign Website: https://shawforca.com/

    • Shaw’s website leads with “Fix Our Schools. Protect Our Kids.”

    Under “issues” on her website, she lists the following; 

    • Protect Our Daughters

    • Fix Our Schools

    • Put Families First

    Under the “Protect Our Daughters” section, she goes on to say; “Policies allowing boys to undress in girls' locker rooms and play on their sports teams undermine fairness and safety. Our daughters deserve to compete on equal terms, not lose opportunities to biological males. They should feel secure in private spaces, not exposed by decisions made without parental consent. Sacramento's disregard for families fuels this injustice, prioritizing ideology over common sense. Classrooms are becoming battlegrounds for radical agendas, pushing divisive content that overshadows core education. Proven leadership has already restored balance in local districts. California's schools need this approach statewide to safeguard girls' opportunities, prioritize parental rights, and ensure education focuses on learning, not politics.” 

    ***Pride at the Pier note - transgender athletes in CA (of which there are very few, hardly enough to fill a single classroom) - are not undressing in girls’ locker rooms with other girls. This is a fearmongering tactic and misrepresents the reality that transgender students are in greater danger of being harmed than they are of harming others. 

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Sonja Shaw is a proud, documented anti-LGBTQ+ activist who has an extremely long record of standing with transphobic and homophobic extremists. She has participated in the doxxing and stalking of transgender youth, and has run her entire campaign, as well as her time as president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, as a transphobe who seeks to make schools less inclusive of queer youth. This is not a biased or partisan take - it’s something she’s proud of. 

    Social Media Links: 

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SonjaShaw2026

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/realSonjaShaw

    On Instagram and Twitter, she often collaborates with anti-trans activists across the region to encourage the harassment of transgender youth. As recently as May 4th, she posted an event advertisement from an anti-trans group encouraging people to attend a high school sporting event in Orange County in order to harass and bully the single transgender athlete expected to be there. We will not be sharing that post as we don’t want to make it any easier to locate and doxx this child, but it is on her Instagram. 

    She published a video post on April 27 with Anti-Trans extremist “Billboard Chris” Elston. She said, “California politicians are pushing misguided and dangerous gender ideology on our kids. I am a mom running for State Superintendent here in California to protect our sons and daughters.” She then turned the camera to Chris, who said, “Hi everybody, I’m Chris, from the lovely communist country of Canada, and I travel the world raising awareness of what is undoubtedly the greatest child abuse scandal in modern medicine history. The practice of trying to change the sex of children with puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries, and I can tell you, of all the amazing people I have met world-wide, number one in America is right here, Sonja Shaw. No one will fight harder to protect your kids than this woman.” 

    She collaborated on a post with Christian Nationalist organization Salt and Light OC, a selfie video with Moms For Liberty. There was a peaceful protest held outside of the event. Sonja, filming in selfie mode, exited the building to confront the protesters, where she smiled sarcastically and said, ‘Yay! Look at my new friends! (...) This is what we have to deal with in California.” As the crowd chanted “Trans Rights are Human Rights”, she continued, referring to the protesters, “They tell kids they’re born in the wrong body! We tell them that they are beautiful the way they were made.” A man holding a sign that said “Trans Rights are Human Rights | Diversity is the one thing we ALL have in common” said something inaudible on the camera to Sonja, and she replied to him, “Yeah, we know you’re focused on the children! And you shouldn’t be, sir! (....) The tolerant, loving crew… Why don’t you tell everyone why you hate us so much? Why do you hate moms?” she asked the man with the sign, who introduced himself as Cameron Tennyson, and that he is running for Congress. She asked him why he was there, and he said because he believed kids should be free - she interjected and said, “Free to be what? So you can cut off healthy body parts and it's okay?” He said that wasn’t up to him. She later went back inside, saying, “This is the craziness. This is why we fight so hard, because THEY want to be in charge of YOUR children. Right? No. We say no. Over our dead bodies. They are freaking psychos. No offense, but I mean, come on. THAT (referring to the protesters and Cameron Tennyson) wants to take over and be in charge of parents’ rights? This is what we’re dealing with, guys, wake up California! It’s not radical to be a mother or father here! It’s radical what they’re doing to kids!”

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: (This is a small cross-section of a much longer list)

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • The mother of a transgender athlete sent Sonja Shaw a cease and desist letter after Shaw repeatedly doxxed her child from a public platform. Shaw ripped this letter up on camera on the dais during a CVUSD board meeting in March of 2025, saying, “...a boy is stealing these opportunities from girls, because that’s the truth. If you don’t like it, I’m sorry, I also have first amendment rights, and I will never shut up in regards to that, so this cease and desist? (At this point she held up the letter and ripped it in half.) That’s how I feel about that, cease and desist.” 

    • In April of 2024, she challenged the sole member of the CVUSD board who did not join her efforts to harass trans students, saying during a meeting, “These are girls, and until this day - Mr. Bridge, can you answer a question? Are you okay with a twelve-year-old seeing male’s penis in the bathroom? Are you okay with a male going on a girl’s softball team and taking away those opportunities for that girl? So just because you may have not heard it, it does happen here. Do the right thing.”  

    ****Note from Pride at the Pier: In case it needs to be spelled out, if you’re seeing the genitalia of other people in the bathroom, you’re the one violating the privacy of other people. Additionally, there have not been any verified reports of trans students in California (of any gender) willfully exposing themselves to their peers. This is a fear-mongering tactic that is not rooted in any truth. 

    • Shaw had current Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond thrown out of a CVUSD meeting by police after he came to defend the rights and dignity of trans students in the district. On the agenda - forced outing policies, requiring teachers to out any trans student to their parents or face discipline, regardless of the students’ consent. As the chaos was unfolding, Shaw said to Thurmond, “You’re in Sacramento proposing things that pervert children.”

    Endorsed by: (This is an incomplete list, a cross-section. Click the link for the full list.)

    • California College Republicans

    • OC Register

    • Chad Bianco

    • Steve Hilton

    • Riley Gaines (anti-trans activist and far-right commentator)

    • Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association

    • Moms for Liberty

    • Reform California

    • Ken Calvert, CA legislator

    • Leticia Castillo, CA legislator

    • Diane Dixon, CA legislator

    • Laurie Davies, CA legislator

    • Bill Essayli, fmr. CA legislator and current Trump DOJ US Attorney in LA

    • Kate Sanchez, CA legislator who pushed to ban trans girls from CA sports

    • Don Wagner, OC Supervisor who voted to ban the Pride Flag

    • Tony Strickland, CA Legislator and fmr. HB City Councilman who voted to ban the Pride Flag

    • Dr. Ryan Bent, NOCCCSD Trustee who attended an anti-trans walkout at an OC school in 2025

    • Corey A. DeAngelis, popular Christian Nationalist figure

    • Michael Gates, fmr. HB City Attorney who was removed from his position in the Trump DOJ after complaints that he created a hostile work environment for women

    • Sophia Lorey, anti-trans activist and paid consultant at the CA Family Council

    • Jessica Tapia, anti-trans activist 

    • Leandra Blades, PYLUSD Trustee who has repeatedly pushed anti-LGBTQ agenda items, as well as a school board resolution to support ICE and DHS

    • Brenda Lebsack, SAUSD Trustee who tried to remove suicide hotline signs from Santa Ana schools because the hotline worked with the Trevor Project

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • Shaw was a key witness in the committee hearing opposing AB 1578, which would require local and state officials to take regular anti-hate speech training. Her argument against it was that she wanted to continue to perpetuate anti-trans hate speech, and argued that said anti-trans hate speech wasn’t actually hate speech at all. 

    • Shaw was a key witness in the committee hearing AB 1955, which would prevent school districts from requiring teachers to forcibly out students. Her argument was that this was a violation of parents’ rights. 

    • Shaw’s time as president of the Chino Valley USD has been filled with a number of significant anti-LGBTQ+ agenda items, including book bans, forced outing policies, and policies against the equitable access for trans students in the district. She’s also been involved in a number of lawsuits against the state of California for these matters, which have required votes to go through the school board to initiate. 

    Follow the Money: Shaw appears to have not filed her recent campaign finances, as we have very little reported filings for this current campaign available to us, outside of; 

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement:

    It is an honor to serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond's Senior Advisor, and to be endorsed by the California Teachers Association (CTA), representing 300,000+ classroom teachers, nurses, counselors and educators. California Teachers of the Year Tammy Reina and Zenaida Rosario: "We trust Richard to fight for our students and educators. He has delivered for 18 years!" As President of San Diego Unified School District, the state's 2nd largest, I transformed a district in crisis into a national model of success. Among all large urban districts, we now rank Number 1 in Reading and Math on "The Nation's Report Card." In California, we're First in Reading, Math, Science, Graduation Rates and College/Career readiness. We've achieved success by cutting waste and bureaucracy, and investing directly in our students, families and educators. I successfully asked voters 4 times to replace 60 year old buildings with state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable schools. We increased educator salaries by 40%, provided full family healthcare and created thousands of affordable homes for our families and educators. I've fought to protect students from the heartless Trump administration: keeping ICE out of our schools, standing up for LGBTQ students, and testifying before Congress against Trump's drastic cuts to education. I am endorsed by those most responsible for student success—from the classroom teachers of CTA to the school principals of United Administrators of Southern California, and Cindy Marten, President Biden's Deputy Secretary of Education. Current Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond: "Richard Barrera's track record of student success is unmatched. That's why I asked him to join us at the California Department of Education. That's why I support him in this election." BarreraforEdu.com

    Email: rbcoi@yahoo.com

    Campaign Website: https://www.barreraforedu.com/

    Priorities from campaign website:

    • Build a Strong, Sustainable Teacher Pipeline

    • Expanding early childhood education

    • Secure, sustainable funding for stronger schools

    • Empowering communities to find their schools - because our kids can’t wait

    • Making housing affordable for educators

    • Building schools where every student belongs

    • Prioritizing mental health in every school

    • Delivering equity: Real opportunities for every student

    Other Interesting Info:

    Social Media Links: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577254612647

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardbarrera2026

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-barrera-2079723a9/ 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • CA Democrats

    • Equality CA

    • San Diego Building Trades

    • Our Schools USA & Capo USD

    • Stone Wall Dems

    • SF League of Pissed Off Voters

    • San Diego Youth Services

    • ACLU NorCal

    • 1st Gen Scholars

    • Jewish Family Services San Diego

    • The Cesar Chavez Foundation

    • CA Teachers Association

    • United We Dream

    • Feeding San Diego

    • Tony Thurmond

    • Congressional Hispanic Caucus

    • CA Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

    • CA Legislative Women’s Caucus

    • Congressional Black Caucus

    • Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club

    • NAACP San Diego

    Candidate’s Public Comments: (The following are taken from interviews with Barrera conducted by news agencies; find these links below)

    • ‘Like the other candidates, Barrera opposes Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to restructure the California Department of Education under a governor-appointed education commissioner. The state superintendent would no longer manage the department. “It’s undemocratic to take responsibility and authority away from the person that the voters are electing to improve schools,” Barrera said. “In practical terms, there is no reason to assume a governor would do a better job at appointing the people to run CDE than a state superintendent would.”’

    • When asked about how he would manage engagement with the Trump administration, which has been antagonistic to LGBTQ+ students, “My track record at San Diego Unified, going back to the first Trump administration, has been to help lead the way to protect all of our students, whether that’s our immigrant students or LGBTQ students. We’ve put policies in place, strategies in place and connected families to community-based resources to push back at that. The president of the United States is choosing to act in an unlawful way and in a way that picks on certain groups of people, to advance his own political agenda, and there’s no room for putting our head down and hoping, “Well, if we just go along with a little bit of it, maybe we won’t be targets.” There’s just no room for that. You’ve got to stand up. We’ve got to fight back in every way possible, including in court. The fact that Trump is using federal education resources as leverage to try to get both the state and local school districts to capitulate to his agenda is all the more reason for us to go and raise that revenue ourselves. The people in this state who are going to benefit from his tax cuts have a responsibility also to make sure that we’ve got the resources we need so that we’re not vulnerable to his threats. We should make sure that we’ve got, you know, the resources ourselves so that we can’t be held hostage. But we should go further and say, and by the way, the federal government should be doing a lot more than it ever has. The federal government has always under invested in education. Special education is the perfect example. The kind of investment we saw during COVID, that was the investment we always needed for schools.”

    • When asked about AI, he replied, “I think the real question is, is the use of AI in writing dumbing things down to the point where students are becoming poorer writers and thinkers because they’re relying on a machine to do that for them? … Or is it something that’s assisting with the grinding grunt work of writing that allows you to get more depth? (...) My guess is these particular tools could go either way and probably do go either way.” 

    • When asked how he would serve vulnerable populations, he said, “California has to protect students in ways that are real at the school level. In San Diego Unified, we treat immigration enforcement as a student safety and trust issue. We train staff, protect student privacy and keep campuses focused on learning so families stay connected to schools. That should be the statewide standard. For LGBTQ+ students, the state should insist on safe school climates and enforce nondiscrimination protections consistently. For students with disabilities, the law is clear: Services are not optional, and districts need both oversight and support to deliver them. When the federal government threatens to withhold funding from our schools unless we abandon protections for students, I will challenge unlawful actions and make sure districts do not retreat out of fear. The state’s job is to make sure students are safe, included and able to learn.”

    • ‘Richard Barrera, vice president of SDUSD’s Board of Education, argued that the recent raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at South Park’s Buona Forchetta, located a block and a half away from a district school, was an “attempt to strike fear into the hearts of (SDUSD) families.” He described how parents were forced to pick up their students from the back of the school in order to shield them from what was happening nearby. “We don’t ignore the reality that when the federal government decides it no longer is going to have schools under safe haven status, what that does is provokes fear in our communities,” Barrera said. Barrera added that the district will never ask students and families about their immigration status or allow immigration officials to enter the district’s campuses or access student records without a federal judicial warrant.’ source

    Endorsed by (click link for full list): 

    • Current California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond

    • Congressman, Juan Vargas

    • State Senator, Art Torres (Ret)

    • Former LA Unified Board President, Former Member of the Assembly, Jackie Goldberg

    • Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Terra Lawson-Remer

    • Los Angeles Unified School Board Trustee,  Rocio Rivas

    • Vista Unified School Board Member Cipriano Vargas

    • San Diego Community College Board Trustee, Craig Milgrim

    • Deputy Secretary of Education, Former SD Unified Superintendent, Cindy Marten

    • (UASC) United Administrators Southern California

    • California Teachers Association (CTA)

    • United Domestic Workers (UDW)

    • Administrator’s Association of San Diego

    • San Diego Building Trades Council

    • San Diego Unified Police Officers Association

    • United Taxi Workers of San Diego

    Candidate in the News:

    Follow the Money:

    • $19,800.00 from United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund

    • $19,600.00 from California Teachers Association/association for Better Citizenship

    • $7,259.83 from Van Pelt Construction Services

    • $3,588.19 from Architects Mosher Drew

    • $2,500.00 from Sheet Metal Workers Local 206 PAC

    • $2,500.00 from Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation

Attorney General

As the state’s chief legal officer, the attorney general can file lawsuits against the federal government to block policies they believe overstep legal boundaries or infringe upon the civil rights of their residents. This power serves as a critical check and balance, allowing states to defend their own laws and protect vulnerable communities from federal actions they deem unconstitutional.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide

    Incumbent, running for CA Attorney General

    Campaign Statement, if any: None Found

    Email: None Found

    Campaign Website: https://robbonta.com/

    Bonta’s campaign website leads with; “Justice for all. Attorney General Rob Bonta is running for re-election to protect our freedoms, defend our democracy, and stand up to abuse of power wherever it appears. The fight is far from over — but together we’ll keep standing up to stop unlawful power grabs by the federal government, defend our immigrant communities, protect reproductive freedom, hold greedy corporations accountable, keep our communities safe from gun violence and fentanyl trafficking, safeguard our environment, and so much more.”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    Rob Bonta worked with Equality California to launch the first-ever State of Pride report and forum, tracking and advocating for the progress of LGBTQ+ rights in California. Source

    During the current Trump presidential administration, Bonta has led or co-led over 60 lawsuits against the Trump administration on behalf of Californians.  A small sample of these includes: 

    Bonta has also been involved in lawsuits and legal responses against California-based entities in efforts to defend LGBTQ+ rights. A small sample includes: 

    • California v. Chino Valley Unified: Sued to block "forced outing" policies that required schools to notify parents of a student's gender transition. The case ended in early 2025 with the district rescinding the policy.

    • Mirabelli v. Bonta: Defending California’s SAFETY Act, which protects student privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency ruling in March 2026 temporarily allowing parents to receive gender identity information, but Bonta continues to litigate the full merits of the case.

    • California v. Rady Children’s Health (2026): Sued Rady for closing its gender-affirming care clinic. Bonta alleges the closure violates the 2024 merger agreement with CHOC, which legally required Rady to maintain specialty services through 2034.

    • California v. City of Huntington Beach: Challenged local ordinances that banned the Pride flag on public property and restricted LGBTQ+ books in libraries, arguing they violate the Unruh Civil Rights Act.

    • Temecula Valley Unified Investigation: Initiated civil rights actions to stop the school board from banning LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum and implementing discriminatory notification policies.

    • California v. Trump (PREA Protections): Leading a multi-state effort to block federal attempts to remove Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) protections that specifically safeguard transgender individuals in custody.

    Social Media Links: 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • When interviewed by ABC 30 Action News at the first ever State of Pride event in San Francisco, Bonta said, “I'm proud to stand and serve in a state that stands with our LGBTQ community (...) The stakes are high, the attacks are disgusting, the targeting is strong, now more than ever we need each other”.   

    • At the same event, he was quoted by Vanguard News Group as saying, “It is more important than ever that we recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for equality, safety, and inclusion.” Source

    • Bonta lambasted the treatment of human beings at the ICE concentration camp in California City, saying, “My team has seen and heard first-hand the dangerous conditions at California’s newest detention facility — conditions that violate ICE’s own standards. I implore DHS to take action to address these serious issues”. The full letter he sent to the Department of Homeland Security can be found here.

    Endorsed by: (This is an incomplete list, a cross-section. Click the link to see them all)

    • Orange County Democratic Party

    • Gavin Newsom, Governor

    • Malia Cohen, California State Controller

    • Dr. Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State

    • Senator Adam Schiff

    • Senator Alex Padilla

    • Senator Cory Booker

    • Rep. Robert Garcia

    • Rep. Pete Aguilar

    • Rep. Gil Cisneros

    • Rep. Ro Khanna

    • Rep. Dave Min

    • Rep. Mike Levin

    • Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson

    • Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson

    • Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee

    • Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California

    • Teamsters California

    • California Teachers Association (CTA)

    • Sierra Club CA

    • California Environmental Voters

    • Dolores Huerta

    • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

    • Smart Justice CA

    • Equality California

    • California Medical Association

    • Courage Campaign

    • Stacey Abrams

    • David Hogg

    • Elise Joshi

    • Jane Fonda

    Candidate in the News:

    Follow the Money: 

    The filing deadline for campaign finance documents has not yet passed, so we don’t have his most recent donations to review. These are mostly from late 2025.

    • $500 from the Alan Wong for Supervisor 2026 campaign 

    ***Note: When candidates for office terminate their campaigns, they have to redistribute the donations they receive in a handful of legal ways, including donating to another campaign.

    • $19,600 from the California Teachers Association/Association For Better Citizenship

    • $3,500 from the United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the U.S. & Canada Local 447 Federal PAC (Fed PAC ID # C00320218)

    • $500 from the Berkeley Firefighters Association Local 1227 Political Action Committee

    • $1,000 from the San Jose Firefighters, IAFF Local 230 Political Action Committee

    • $5,000 from the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 Political Action Committee

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    ***PRIDE AT THE PIER CONTENT WARNING: 

    • THIS ELECTION GUIDE FOR MICHAEL GATES INCLUDES MANY EXAMPLES OF TRANSPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIA FROM THIS CANDIDATE, AND MAY BE UPSETTING FOR SOME. 

    • The information in this guide is a very small percentage of the homophobic and transphobic actions and statements made by this candidate.

    • Statements made by this candidate are rife with misinformation. We are simply sharing to educate voters on the stances of this candidate and what they have been quoted as saying by other sources. Please check all sources for cited information.

    Campaign Statement, if any: 

    “Michael E. Gates | REPUBLICAN

    California families deserve to be safe again. Crime is rising, homelessness is out of control, fraud with taxpayer dollars is rampant, and our children—especially young girls—are not being protected. The Office of Attorney General should be focused on enforcing the law and keeping families safe, not playing politics. I'm a husband and father of five, and like every parent, I want our children to grow up in safe communities. That's why public safety has always been my top priority. As the City Attorney for Huntington Beach, I fought for the people. I created a city criminal prosecutor program that prosecuted quality-of-life crimes and reduced crime by double digits. We proved that when the law is enforced, communities thrive. As Attorney General, I will make crime illegal again by prosecuting all crimes, including enforcing Proposition 36, and use the law to address homelessness by holding criminals accountable while getting people off our streets and into treatment. I will stand up for police, support law enforcement and defend them when they are unfairly attacked. I will also bring proven programs that lowered crime and homelessness in Huntington Beach to cities across California. I will aggressively prosecute fraud and corruption in Sacramento, protect parents' rights, enforce laws that keep boys out of girls' sports and support Voter ID. This is a serious office. I will fight for everyday Californians and bring accountability and safety back to California. Learn more at www.Gates4AG.com.”

    Email: info@gates4ag.com 

    Campaign Website: https://www.gates4ag.com/ 

    Gates’ website leads with the following phrase; “Safe families, safe communities. As our next Attorney General, Michael Gates will fight for what matters most: our families, our communities, and our safety.”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • In 2025, Gates was hired to work in the Trump administration as a Deputy U.S. Attorney, during which time he - by his own testimony - pursued investigations against transgender individuals and those who support them, as well as investigations into so-called voter fraud. We’ll quote him further down on that. 

    • However, his time in the administration lasted approximately ten months before coming to an end.  The OC Register - known for its conservative bias - reported in November 2025 that Gates was fired from the administration “for cause”, based on records requests. Interviews the Register conducted revealed that there had been complaints against Gates by his colleagues that he had created a hostile work environment for women.  Per the Register, “He allegedly had a “consistent pattern” of referring to female colleagues by derogatory and demeaning names, the source said, and complained about the employment of a woman who was pregnant”.

    • Gates denied the entire story, asserting that he had chosen to resign from the Trump Administration because he was homesick, and that any negative word about him from his former colleagues was merely because they were angry that he resigned. 

    Social Media Links: 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    ***Note: The term “fascist” here is not hyperbole, but in fact a term used in its specific definition; this restaurant’s owners use their platform to call for the arrest of politicians, “re-education camps” for anyone to the left of them (including some Republicans), and the use of the United States military to violently occupy places like New York and California to install martial law and military tribunals for protesters.

    • Julie Hamill, a lawyer affiliated with the CA Policy Center and anti-trans activist

    • (Twitter) Rick Leventhal: Host of the Leventhal Report on NewsMax

    • (Twitter) Sophia Lorey: Anti-trans activist and paid consultant at the CA Family Council

    • (Twitter) Nick Shirley

    • (Twitter) Reform CA

    • (Twitter) Spencer Pratt

    • (Twitter) Nicki Minaj

    Candidate’s Public Comments: 

    ***Note: Statements made by this candidate are rife with misinformation. We are simply sharing to educate voters on the stances of this candidate and what they have been quoted as saying by other sources. Please check all sources for cited information.

    • In an event at Basilico’s, an openly fascist Italian restaurant in HB known for its extreme politics, Gates spoke to attendees about what he was accomplishing in his role in the Trump administration. “...We’re fighting all that reverse discrimination as well. Defending women, getting men out of women’s sports. When it comes to all the transgender bullshit, we - we are fighting, we are fighting all that transgender, all the mutilization of children, we are fighting that. But what I am happy to report, is, you know, close to my heart, is that I am, I’m privileged to be able to fight a lot of the election integrity irregularities. So, I got a number of cases right now.”

    • In Gates’ statement about being hired by the Trump administration, he said, “I am profoundly humbled and honored for this opportunity to serve the American people at a time like this - to advance President Trump's "America First" agenda, fight to restore law and order throughout the country, and fight to restore faith in the Nation's justice system.”

    • Via his twitter, post dated April 24th 2026: “(Rob Bonta) sued Children’s Hospitals to FORCE trans surgeries on MINORS and he fought for SECRET trans grooming in schools by teachers! (...) Sicko!”

    • Via his twitter, post dated March 28, 2025, he posted about the Federal Government investigating CA over AB 1955, a law that prevents school districts from requiring teachers to forcibly out students to their parents. He said, “Going on offense against California’s unconstitutional AB 1955 - a law that inserts State educators in the parent child relationship on gender issues. Proud of DOE for fighting to protect families by combatting State overreach! (US Flag Emoji, US Flag Emoji, US Flag Emoji)”

    • When asked his take on the Attorney General’s responsibility to the homelessness crisis, Gates replied, “...cities cannot simply allow dangerous encampments to grow or refuse to address conditions that threaten public safety and quality of life. On homelessness, I believe enforcement and treatment must go together. Anti-camping laws matter because public spaces should be safe and usable for everyone.”

    Endorsed by: (For the complete list, click the hyperlink)

    • California Republican Party

    • Lincoln Club of Orange County

    • Patriots4Freedom-San Diego

    • California Rifle & Pistol Association

    • American Independent Party of California

    ***Note: American Independent does not mean No Party Preference. AI is a far-right party.

    • California Parents Union

    • California Cities for Local Control

    • The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN)

    • Don Wagner,Orange County Supervisor

    • Janet Nguyen, Orange County Supervisor

    • Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder

    • Shari Friedenrich, Orange County Treasurer

    • Claude Parrish, Orange County Tax Assessor

    • Sonja Shaw, CVUSD Board President and anti-trans extremist

    • Steve Knoblock, Mayor Pro Tem of San Clemente who tried to institute an abortion ban in the city

    • Steve Hilton, Candidate for Governor of California

    • Mike Munzig, Mayor Pro Tem Aliso Viejo who tried to institute a Pride Flag ban

    • All members of the Huntington Beach City Council

    • Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff

    • John Zanoni, Fresno County Sheriff

    • Donny Yongblood, Kern County Sheriff

    • Michael Boudreaux, Tulare County Sheriff

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    Not applicable

    Follow the Money:

    • $9,800 from the Newport Beach Police Association Political Action

    • $5,900 from the campaign fund for Chad Williams for City Council 2024

    ***Campaign Finance Filings for this race are still being processed, so this is an incomplete list.


Secretary of State

The California Secretary of State serves as the state's chief elections official and oversees the formal registration of businesses and non-profit organizations. In addition to managing the state’s historical archives, they protect civil rights by expanding voter access and ensuring that every Californian can participate in a secure and transparent democratic process.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide

    Campaign Statement:

    “Shirley N. Weber | DEMOCRATIC

    I will never give up on protecting your voting rights. We are not in normal times. We need strong leaders to stand up and fight for what is right and just. I was born in the Jim Crow south to sharecroppers who couldn't vote. California welcomed us with open arms and has been my home ever since. My parents cast their first votes here and even used our family living room as a polling place. America is the only country in the world where within one generation a family can go from Jim Crow disenfranchisement, to administering elections in the largest state in the nation. We've come so far, and I've seen it firsthand. However, there are people that want to roll back that progress. They want shorter polling hours, fewer days to vote and the removal of vote-by-mail ballots. Some of them have even threatened the lives of election officials when their preferred candidate loses. This behavior will not be tolerated in California. As Secretary of State, 28 statewide and special elections were successfully held. When our voting rights were under attack, I fought for us in the courts, and won. I've been a transparent leader because trust is everything. Every eligible Californian should register to vote and cast their ballot whether we agree politically or not. I will continue to fight to make sure that nothing stands between you and the ballot box. Vote Dr. Shirley N. Weber for Secretary of State. Visit www.DrShirleyWeber.com to learn more.

    E-mail: info@drshirleyweber.comFacebook: facebook.com/ShirleyWeber4SOSX: x.com/drweber4ca”

    Email: info@drshirleyweber.com 

    Campaign Website: https://drshirleyweber.com/

    Priorities listed on her website: 

    • A Defender of Voting Rights

      • Restoring Trust and Transparency:

      • Encourage Californians to Vote:

    She goes on to say on her campaign website’s main page, “Voting Rights Are Under Attack –

    Dr. Weber Is Our Defender.  In her first year as Secretary of State, Dr. Weber has already overseen a safe, secure, and seamless statewide election, and solidified California’s reputation as a national leader on strengthening the right to vote for every community. She’s also worked with the Governor and state legislature to make California a permanent, universal vote-by-mail state.”

    Some of the experiences she has listed on her website include: 

    • Protecting poll workers and election officials

    • Authored legislation to extend and ensure the right to vote for parolees

    • Fought for legislation on education, civil rights, public safety, food insecurity, protections for persons with disabilities, and voting rights

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • In an interview with CalMatters, Weber said she has focused on expanding voter outreach to rural corners of California and encouraging voter registration on high school and college campuses — something she said she would continue to focus on in her second term if she is re-elected.

    • For those who followed the city of Huntington Beach’s efforts to pass Voter ID laws for polling places within the city, Weber worked with current Attorney General Rob Bonta to successfully sue the city over this effort, and prevent Voter ID laws within the city that would have violated CA state laws. 

    • Prior to her time in government, Weber served as a professor at San Diego State University and at California State University at Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College. Source

    • Weber faced criticism from some disability advocate groups who sued the state over what they felt were barriers to voting accessibility. Source

    Social Media Links: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyWeber4SOS 

    Campaign Twitter: https://x.com/drweber4ca?s=21

    Personal Twitter: https://x.com/drshirleyweber?s=21 

    (Defunct) Instagram for an earlier legislative race: https://www.instagram.com/asmshirleyweber/

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • JD Vance (This is the “Vice President” account, so we’re unsure if she specifically followed Vance or if this is an account she followed prior to the current administration)

    • Barack Obama

    • Kamala Harris

    • Beyonce

    • (Twitter) Sharon Quirk-Silva

    • (Twitter) Rob Bonta

    • (Twitter) CA Legislative Women’s Caucus

    • (Twitter) Jennifer Siebel Newsom (Spouse of Gavin Newsom)

    • (Twitter) Vote America

    • (Twitter) California Black Media

    • (Twitter) National Women’s Political Caucus California (Pro-Choice Caucus)

    • (Twitter) Alliance For Youth Action

    • (Twitter) VoteRiders (Organization to help voters navigate Voter ID laws)

    • (Twitter) UCLA Black Project

    • Emerge CA (An organization that trains women to run for office)

    • California Faculty Assoc. 

    • Equal Justice Society

    • The King Center (MLK Jr. Memorial)

    • Yes on Prop 16 (Repeals the ban on affirmative action at Public Institutions)

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • In response to criticisms about the slow process of counting votes in the 2024 election, Weber said, “I know the value of being fast for some folks (...) For me, accuracy is far more important.”

    • On protecting personal voter information from the Trump administration, she said, “If we were giving (voter information) away like candy, who would trust us … to protect their records?”

    • In an interview with the LA Times regarding the Huntington Beach City Council’s efforts to push through Voter ID laws, Weber said, “I will continue to uphold my promise to Californians to protect our democracy, and I will continue to challenge this administration’s disregard for the rule of law and our right to vote.”

    • During an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act where Weber was a guest speaker, she said, “When the president wanted to offer Martin Luther King all kinds of other things. They wanted him to have a housing act. They wanted him to have a poverty act. They wanted him to do all of these other things. But they never wanted to offer him the voting rights act. And King rejected all of those in 1964 because he understood the power of voting and the importance of making it possible for all people in this nation to be able to vote because that was their voice, that was their power, that was their expression. And so, as we have tried in this office as Secretary of State to make sure that we bring forth a number of things that people have forgotten, I discovered that a lot of folks don't know much about the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They thought it granted people the right to vote when it did not. They already had the right to vote, but they had to secure the vote. They had to make sure that people had access to it and they were not denied their opportunity to vote. (...) And so now, this is the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (...) When I took office a few years ago, I came to realize, as I pointed out to the governor and others, that this is going to be a critical period in our lives because we've all had an opportunity to vote. We've had this wonderful experience in this nation, and we knew that voting was under attack. And the question was always, are we as strong as our ancestors? Are we able to fight like they fought to maintain the right to vote and to exercise that right in going to the polls? So, we want to remind folks of what it means to be what the Voting Rights Act of 1965 did and those who were part of it, who lived through it and who understood why it was so very important for us to have it.”

    Endorsed by: 

    •  Orange County Democratic Party

    • Rob Bonta, Attorney General

    • Fiona Ma, State Treasurer

    • Malia Cohen, Controller

    • Ricardo Lara, Insurance Commissioner

    • Tony Thurmond, Superintendent of Education

    • Cecilia Aguiar Curry, Assemblymember

    • Blanca Rubio, Assemblymember

    • Dr. LaShae Sharp Collins, Assemblymember

    • Buffy Wicks, Assemblymember

    • Akilah Weber, MD, State Senator

    • California Professional Firefighters

    • Steamfitters & Refrigeration UA Local 250

    • California Federation of Teachers

    • AFSCME

    • UDWA/AFSCME Local 3930

    • CA State Council of Laborers

    • Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DPSFV)

    • California Women’s List

    • Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG)

    • AFSCME District Council 36

    • California State Retirees

    • California YIMBY

    • SEIU

    • SEIU 1000

    • Westside Young Democrats

    • Democratic Women’s Club of San Diego

    • San Diego Democrats for Equality

    • Avance Democratic Club

    • Fallbrook Democratic Club

    • Association of California State Supervisor (ACSS)

    • NWPC California

    • California Teachers Association

    • California Donor Table

    • Communications Workers of America

    • Jane Fonda Climate PAC

    • Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club

    • Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee

    • Central City Democrats

    • California Nurses Association

    • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

    • SFWPC

    • Stonewall Young Democrats

    • Black Women’s Collective PAC

    • Chino Valley Democratic Club

    • Bernal Heights Democratic Club

    • Iranian American Democrats of California (IADC)

    • ILWU Southern California District Council

    • California Black Women’s Collective PAC

    • Contra Costa Young Democrats

    • San Francisco Latino Democratic Club

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • During her time in the state legislature, Weber received an “A” score from People’s Courage, who rate legislators based on how likely they are to cave to corporate lobbyist interests. 

    • Weber championed AB 392, a bill that called for police reform by redefining the standard for police use of deadly force from "reasonable" to "necessary”.

    • Weber was one of 14 legislators to receive a score of “100” from the ACLU during her time as a legislator.

    • Weber authored AB 3121, which establishes the “Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans” to summarize existing evidence of the institution of slavery that existed within the United States and the colonies and to recommend, among other things, the form and mode of compensation that should be awarded to descendants of people who were enslaved.

    Follow the Money: There is limited campaign finance reporting available for this race so far, but we did find this: 

    • $19,600 from the California Teachers Association/Association For Better Citizenship

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement, if any:

    “Donald P. (Don) Wagner | REPUBLICAN

    As Secretary of State, I will restore Californians' trust in our election system and protect every eligible voter's fundamental American right to participate in our democracy. California's election system is broken. Thirty-six states and most democratic nations require voters to establish their identities at the polls. California does not. Election security is so weak at least one dog was registered to vote in California—and had its vote counted! While other large states can finish vote counts and announce results on Election Night, California takes 30 excruciating days. We are usually the last state in the country to stop counting and report final results. That's embarrassing and unacceptable. You deserve an excellent election system that is secure, efficient, accurate, and accessible to eligible voters only. As Secretary of State, I will work to institute common-sense reforms including: 1) Require Voter ID at the polls; 2) Require mail ballots to be returned by Election Day; 3) Prohibit “ballot harvesting” by paid canvassers. The Secretary of State also has a role in fixing California's business climate. The office must be modernized and made business friendly. As Secretary of State, I will fight against bad business policies that make California unaffordable and drive away our families, friends, and employers. I have the experience to deliver. I have served as a member of the California Legislature, Mayor of lrvine, Orange County Supervisor, and owned my own business. I pledge to protect your vote as Secretary of State. Learn more at WagnerforCalifornia.com.

    4100 MacArthur Blvd., Ste. 310Newport Beach, CA 92660Tel: (714) 785-5949E-mail: donwagner@WagnerForCalifornia.comWagnerForCalifornia.com”

    Email: donwagner@WagnerForCalifornia.com

    Campaign Website: https://wagnerforcalifornia.com/ 

    Don’s website leans hard into dog-whistles about the conspiracy that voters who are ineligible to vote are fraudulently voting. His website leads with this statement; “Californians deserve an excellent election system that is secure, efficient, accurate and accessible to every eligible voter.  I will make sure that every eligible voter can participate in our democracy while also protecting the security of elections by ensuring that only eligible voters cast ballots.”

    His priorities listed are: 

    • Only eligible voters cast ballots

    • Elections are secure, efficient, accurate, and accessible

    • The Secretary of State's business division is "small-business friendly"

    He also has on his website’s main page, “Don Wagner fully supports the Voter ID initiative that will soon be gathering signatures to go on the ballot in 2026!”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Wagner, currently on the OC Board of Supervisors, voted in 2023 to ban the Pride Flag from county properties, openly acknowledging that the agenda item was specifically about the Pride Flag, which he called “divisive”. 

    • The Irvine Tolerance Coalition posted on Instagram a critique of Wagner, stating, “guess who’s back? On Aug. 26, Supervisor Don Wagner helped slide his old pal Christina Shea onto the OC Older Adults Advisory Commission — with a term that just happens to match his. Coincidence? Or a soft launch for Shea’s next political play? Let’s not forget: Shea’s record includes pushing anti-LGBTQ+ policies and leading the ugly fight for Measure N. Now, with a new appointment, and cryptic “recall” posts, she looks less like a seniors’ advocate and more like someone staging a comeback. Irvine deserves better than recycled hate politics.” ***Note: We are sharing this perspective as opinion from another source, not face.

    • Wagner expressed support for OC Sheriff Don Barnes when Barnes was criticized for collaborating with ICE, which is illegal under CA state law. Per the LA Times, “Supervisor Don Wagner pointed out that the 226 inmates who were referred to ICE constituted a small part of the more than 48,000 bookings that occurred in the jail last year. “The sheriff is to be saluted,” Wagner said, “not condemned for the very judicious use of his power that he’s outlined today.”

    Social Media Links: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonWagnerCA/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donwagnerca/

    Wagner’s OC Supervisor Instagram has a handful of posts celebrating holidays, including Good Friday, Easter, Passover, and Cinco De Mayo.

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Wagner does not follow anyone on Instagram

    • On Facebook, Wagner’s following list is limited to his elected peers (bipartisan), local government bodies, and a handful of local nonpartisan organizations.

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Wagner was given a questionnaire by the OC Register for this campaign. The news article led with the statement, “Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.” Some of Don’s comments are as follows: 

    • “I would also ask the legislature to remove the COVID-inspired mailing of ballots to everyone on the cluttered voting rolls. Having so many ballots out there, coupled with bloated voting rolls, allows for the possibility of interference and illegal influence over our elections. And even if such interference is not happening, the widespread perception of such interference undermines confidence in the system.”

    • “The mailing of ballots to every name on the bloated voting rolls, the extremely long “cure and correct” period and the 30-day counting period before certification are a few examples of changes to election laws that have led to widespread distrust. The secretary of state should have argued against those changes and worked to undo them rather than being a cheerleader for them. As secretary of state, I will work to undo these state election laws to restore transparency and trust.”

    • When asked about increasing accessibility, he said, “I do not believe typical Sacramento “one size fits all” mandates are necessary to increase accessibility. Local problems can and should be solved by working with, and having respect for, the local officials trying to solve the problem.”

    • When asked about Voter ID laws, Wagner said, “Because I support the voter ID initiative, I certainly will enforce it. But more importantly, since much of the state’s current political establishment opposes it, and has a history of not vigorously enforcing — or suing to stop — initiatives they don’t like, I pledge to the people of California that I will sue to protect voter ID if passed by the people. In fact, I will enforce the will of the people in a nonpartisan way as secretary of state. Regardless of my personal belief in the wisdom of an initiative or a candidate, if the people vote for that measure or person, I will consider it my sworn duty to enforce the people’s will.”

    Endorsed by: 

    • Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Assoc.

    • Pete Wilson, Former California Governor

    • Bruce McPherson, California Secretary of State (Ret.)

    • Bill Jones, California Secretary of State (Ret.)

    • Mike Munzing, Councilmember, Aliso Viejo (Introduced a Pride Flag Ban)

    • Ken Calvert, Member, US House of Representatives, R-Corona (Regularly votes in opposition of LGBTQ+ and minority rights, supports Voter Suppression)

    • Janet Nguyen, Member, Orange County Board of Supervisors, Fmr. State Senator

    • Diane Dixon, Assemblymember, Newport Beach

    • Shawn Steel, Fmr Chairman, California GOP (Significant Donor of anti-LGBTQ+ efforts)

    • Gracey Van Der Mark, City Councilwoman, Huntington Beach (Publicly Anti-LGBTQ+, Champion of Book Banning efforts)

    Candidate in the News:

    Follow the Money: 

    There is a significant amount of overlap and confusion when researching campaign finance filings for Don’s campaign, as he is also running a campaign committee named “Don Wagner Ballot Measure Committee to Protect Fair Elections” which Wagner is running in an effort to get Voter ID on the ballot, and the election committees overlap in search engines. His campaign finance filings for the Secretary of State race do not appear to be fully filed at this time.


Lieutenant Governor

The California Lieutenant Governor serves as the state’s second-highest executive, acting as the President of the State Senate and sitting on powerful boards that manage public lands and higher education. They protect civil rights by using their tie-breaking vote in the Senate and their influence on university boards to advocate for inclusive policies and equitable access to state resources.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide

    Current Position: 34th state treasurer of California since January 7, 2019; Re-elected to second term in 2022.

    Political Party: Democrat

    Campaign Statement: 

    “California stands at a crossroads in America's history. We need clear-eyed, proven leaders willing to stand tall and fight on behalf of every Californian. Defending California's values and people—especially women and immigrants—will be my top priority as your Lieutenant Governor. I'm the daughter of immigrants and there's no place for fear or intimidation in our state. I'll protect birthright citizenship from Trump's attacks, and hold ICE accountable for excessive violence. I've spent my life in public service standing up for women. As California State Treasurer, I funded reproductive health, birth control, and cancer screenings when Trump cut Title X funding. As Assemblywoman, I chaired the Select Committee on Domestic Violence to protect survivors. The Lieutenant Governor serves on the Coastal Commission and Boards of UC and CSU. I will fight Trump's plan to reopen offshore drilling, while defending universities and protecting academic freedom. I'll vote to freeze tuition so middle-class families can afford college. My mother was a public school teacher. That's why I'm committed to delivering a quality education to every California student. We live in an unprecedented moment—and California must chart the path forward—a future that embraces a shared belief in a better California for all. Join us, California Professional Firefighters, California Federation of Teachers, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Building Trades, Carpenters, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and more than 30 labor unions in our campaign at www.fionama.com. I love California and I humbly ask for your vote for Lieutenant Governor.”

    Email: Fiona@FionaMa.com 

    Campaign Website: https://fionama.com/ 

    She doesn’t have her priorities listed. However, on her website, she says she’s running because; 

    • “I believe in the California dream

    • Making Government Work for Us (“get the most value for your tax dollars”)

    • Fighting for Our Future (“grow our economy, attract investment, and create high-quality jobs. I’ll work to make college more affordable and ensure seniors can age with dignity”)”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Fiona has served as state treasurer for the past seven years.

    • In 2021, Ma was accused of sexual harassment and racial discrimination in a lawsuit filed by a former employee. The suit was settled in 2024 by the state of California for $350,000. Per the AP, “The agreement filed Friday in Sacramento County Superior Court stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by a former employee of the treasurer’s office — Judith Blackwell — who alleged Ma exposed herself and crawled into bed with her when they shared rooms at a hotel and a rental unit (...) Blackwell said that while sharing rooms, Ma called her into her bedroom several times, exposed her nude backside and climbed into Blackwell’s bed with her at least once.” Fiona said of the settlement, “From day one, I said this was a frivolous lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee who fabricated claims in an attempt to embarrass me in hopes of receiving millions of dollars in a settlement.” This case was settled with a settlement, not a trial. 

    • Fiona participated in the San Francisco Pride parade in 2025 - she can be seen from a parade float in these photos here. She’s also the Equality Icon Grand Marshal in the Long Beach Pride Parade. source

    Social Media Links: 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On May 1st, Fiona posted on her instagram, “This Mayday, we stand in solidarity with the hardworking men and women in labor who power our economy! Fiona Ma is proud to be the labor candidate in this race — fighting for the wages, workplace protections, and a bright future all Californians deserve.”

    • When interviewed by the OC Register, Ma said, “As state treasurer, I expanded college savings through CalKIDS and financed affordable housing. As lieutenant governor, I will scale student housing, expand need-based aid and strengthen transfer pathways from community colleges to four-year institutions. I will also align higher education with workforce needs, so students graduate into good-paying jobs. Access without completion is not equity, and I will fight to deliver both.”

    • When the San Jose Mercury News asked Ma what her three priorities were if elected, she replied with, 

      • “Higher education affordability: One of my top priorities will be to build more affordable housing units on and around college campuses so that students do not have the burden of commuting long distances to school or sleeping in cars. I have also been working to improve our state financial aid system. 

      • The environment: I will work to keep our coastlines clean and protect our water from pollution. 

      • Health care: Access to quality, affordable health care is something every Californian deserves, regardless of their zip code or income level.”

    • In an interview with the OC Register, Ma said, “Equity must be built into every level of the system, not treated as an add-on.”

    Endorsed by: 

    • CA Federation of Labor Unions

    • California Nurses Association

    • Stonewall Young Democrats

    • Costa Mesa Democrats

    • Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

    • Secretary of State Shirley Weber

    • State Controller Malia Cohen

    • Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens

    • San Jose Mercury News

    Candidate in the News:

    Follow the Money: There isn’t much in the way of filed campaign filings yet. South AFL-CIO reported their contribution:

    • $307.15 total in April from South Bay AFL- CIO Labor Council Committee On Political Education

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement, if any: None Found

    Email: None Found

    Campaign Website: https://www.gloriaromero4ltgov.com/

    On her “About Me” page on her website, Gloria has highlighted a photo of her at a Steve Hilton rally in Huntington Beach, standing alongside Huntington Beach City Councilmembers Andrew Gruel (who called left-wing protesters ‘circus animals’ in 2025) and Gracey Van Der Mark (who pushed for the city’s Pride Flag Ban and has gained notoriety for her efforts to ban books in the HB library), as well as Calvary Chapel of Huntington Harbor lead pastor Joe Pedick, who has openly espoused extreme anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.

    Her website also highlights her consistent support for charter schools, merit-based education reform, and “parental empowerment”. Important to note, the “Parents Rights” caucus is widely acknowledged by LGBTQ+ advocacy caucus to be a dog-whistle for anti-LGBTQ+.

    Priorities: 

    • “Restore merit in admissions, protect academic standards, and stop setting students up for failure.” 

    • “Gloria will hold administrators and university officials accountable to ensure non-discrimination in access to every campus and academic programming.” 

    Note - in the language about this stance, Gloria specifically calls out protections for Jewish students, but does not cite any other specific demographic.  

    • “Gloria will proudly stand up for women’s sports and Title IX. Fairness matters. Women deserve a level playing field, not excuses.” It’s worth noting that Lt. Governor is responsible for the state college system, and trans women are not allowed to compete or receive sports scholarships at the collegiate level. 

    • Regarding the Lt. Governor’s responsibilities on the state’s land and coastal policies, Gloria will push for “a strong, common-sense voice for fire prevention, smarter land management, and faster rebuilding when disaster strikes.”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Romero was a registered Democrat when she was elected to the State Senate in 2001 - in 2024, she announced that she was switching her party registration to Republican. Publicly, she stated that her motivation to switch was her view that Democrats had abandoned working families and education reform.

    • Romero endorsed Trump’s 2024 run, and spoke at his Coachella rally.

    • Romero is a proud member of the Lexit movement (Latino Exit from the Democratic Party). Leaders in this movement have been heavily involved in extremist anti-LGBTQ efforts across Southern California, especially in the Inland Empire with Sonja Shaw.

    • Romero was elected in 2001, then again in 2006. She was ineligible to run in 2010 due to term limits. While specific district lines have changed, she represented the East Los Angeles area. She served as the Senate Majority Leader during that time. 

    • Beyond her time as a State Senator, she also served a few years in the State Assembly.

    • She is the Founder/Executive Director of Scholarship Prep Charter School located in Santa Ana, CA. 

    Social Media Links: 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Harmeet K. Dhillon. Dhillon is Asst. Attorney General in the Trump DOJ and co-founder of the Center for American Liberty, a law firm that actively fights to dismantle LGBTQ+ civil rights. 

    • Kevin Kiley, CA Congressman

    • Michael Gates

    • Spencer Pratt

    • Steve Hilton

    • Chris Rufo, far-right activist deeply involved in the anti-trans movement

    • Jennifer Sey, extremist anti-trans activist and founder of XX-XY Athletics

    • Corey DeAngelis, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation

    • Antonio Villaraigosa, former LA Mayor and Democratic Candidate for governor

    • America First Policy Institute State Action

    • Yoshi the Patriot, extremist far-right activist and content creator

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • In an editorial piece she wrote for the California Post (right-wing publication, affiliated with the New York Post) in September of 2024, she said, “President Ronald Reagan warned that if fascism comes to America it will come as liberalism, and he was right: I have witnessed individual freedoms being trapped, silenced, censored. I’ve seen the terrifying modification of language that condemns me for saying that I can define a woman and can distinguish between biological sex and gender identity. I am a mother and refuse to call myself a “birthing person.” I’m pro-choice, but I do not support abortion till birth. What happened to “safe, legal and rare”? The Trump-led Republican Party has become the party of peace, while Democrats have marched toward endless war.”

    • Later in that same piece, she said, “As a Mexican-American, I have long embraced pathways to citizenship, but I reject the mockery of throwing open our southern border to all comers.”

    • In an interview with the OC Register; “Students and families should not be the first place government looks when there is a budget problem. I do not support treating tuition hikes like the easy answer. California families are already stretched too thin.”

    • On Twitter in 2024, Gloria posted, “So honored to speak at Coachella yesterday! @realDonaldTrump⁩ had the cojones to plant a giant MAGA flag in California! We are not a Blue state. We are not a Red state. We are THE GOLDEN State & Californians are voting ⁦@TeamTrump @LexitMovement1”

    • In June of 2025, she replied to a post about LA Sheriff Luna on Twitter, saying, “Sheriff Luna is a puppet of the ultra woke and FAILED Board of Supervisors who all suffer from intense TDS”

    • In September of 2024, she posted a reply to Leo Terrell on Twitter, saying, “With you as my inspiration, I proudly join President Trump @realDonaldTrump and MAGA nation to do my part to Make America Great Again! Gloria 2.0 @TrumpWarRoom” Terrell is a member of the Trump DOJ and a former Fox News contributor.

    • In July of 2022 (BEFORE she switched parties), Romero posted a reply on Twitter to Sen. Manchin and Sen. Schumer about not raising taxes, “And we’re not in a recession, women are birthing people, men get pregnant, the border is secure, blah blah blah @Sen_JoeManchin @ElAmerican_  @CARebelBase @KATYSaccitizen @Hamletgarcia17 @pnjaban @SoledadUrsua”

    Endorsed by: Her endorsements are not listed on her website, but we found these:

    • CA GOP (She is running on the Steve Hilton ticket)

    • April's Common Sense Cali Voters (Sway voting group by April Silverman (Cali MAGA Barbie)) 

    • Elizabeth Barcohana's Lady with a Brain Voter Guide (Sway voting group by Elizabeth Barcohana) 

    • Let’s Vote Differently LA! (Sway voting group by Nicole Eff) 

    • Liberty For All (Sway voting group by Mark Ragains) 

    • Reform California's Voting Group (Sway voting group by Reform California)

    ***A sway group is a group that is not explicitly affiliated with a political party. In practice, sway groups do still often align on one side of the political aisle more than another.

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    Romero was a state legislator in the 2000s, during which time she was involved in a number of pieces of LGBTQ+ related legislation. 

    • Voted yes on California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act (2003), a piece of legislation that granted domestic partnerships most of the same rights as married couples. 

    • Co-authored AB 2208 (2004), which legally required insurance companies to extend all of the same privileges given to insured married couples to include couples in registered domestic partnerships. 

    Follow the Money:  Campaign Finance Filings for this race aren’t out yet; however, we’ve found the following campaign contributions to other races she’s made. 

    • $100 to No Recall, Parents Protecting our Kids Against the Recall of OUSD Boardmembers Ledesma and Miner

    • $100 to (Tim) Shaw for OC Board of Education 2024

    • $250 to Friends of Ken Williams OC Board of Education 2024

    • ***Pride at the Pier note: All of these individuals are widely criticized by LGBTQ+ Advocacy groups in Orange County for their record of voting against the interests of LGBTQ+ students. 

State Treasurer

The state treasurer acts as the state's chief banker, managing its investments, overseeing billions of dollars in public funds, and handling the sale of bonds to pay for big projects like schools and roads. By managing these resources, they can promote civil rights by investing in underserved communities and ensuring that state-funded housing and infrastructure projects are distributed fairly and equitably.

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide

    Campaign Statement:

    “Eleni Kounalakis | DEMOCRATIC

    I'm a businesswoman, financial expert and daughter of Greek immigrants. I believe in the California dream and as Lieutenant Governor have worked hard supporting small business, education and opportunities for hard working families. I'm running for State Treasurer to be a disciplined, responsible manager of California's finances, focused on protecting working families, strengthening our economy, and making smart investments that reflect our values. I'm running for State Treasurer to: Build affordable housing using public finance. Fight Trump's attacks on our health care and immigrants. Protect the pensions of hard-working Californians. Invest in the financial future of children and families. I have the support of Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. I also have the support and endorsement of over 450,000 California teachers. California's firefighters, first responders and health care workers also support my candidacy and I hope to have yours as well. As a businesswoman, I spent decades building housing communities, using infrastructure financing, and delivering results. As California's 50th Lieutenant Governor and a former Obama diplomat, I've brought real-world financial expertise to some of the state's toughest challenges. I've created clean-energy jobs, managed public lands, and voted to approve more than 60,000 new beds on college campuses to help lower costs for students and families. I'm a fierce fighter for democracy. I'm on the front lines against Donald Trump's attacks on immigrant communities and women's reproductive freedom—all while protecting our environment and California's core values. EleniForCA.com”

    Email: info@eleniforca.com

    Campaign Website: https://eleniforca.com/

    Eleni’s website does not have her priorities, issues, etc listed, which is unusual for a campaign website. Normally we’d provide that information in this guide. However, her campaign website highlights a number of elements of her experience she finds important, including: 

    • “Eleni joined her father in building one of California’s most respected housing development firms, AKT Development.”

    • “In 2010, she was appointed by President Obama as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, where she worked to advance democracy and American values abroad.”

    • “In her roles as chair of the State Lands Commission and a voting member on the University of California Board of Regents and California State University Board of Trustees, she has helped oversee billions in public assets.”

    • “...approving the construction of over 60,000 beds on college campuses.”

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • As Lt. Governor in 2021, Kounalakis established the state’s Transgender Advisory Council, a first in the nation, “a council of transgender leaders to create a dialogue between state leaders and the transgender community in California”, with a goal of “bring(ing) attention to the issues faced by the transgender community by inviting stakeholders in advocacy, government, and different industry sectors to hear directly from the council.” Regarding the establishment of this council, she said, “Here in California, I’m proud we have enacted many protections for LGBTQ+ people, but we still have work to do, and that is especially true for issues facing our transgender and nonbinary family, friends, and neighbors (...) establishing this council gives transgender leaders the space to have an open dialogue with key stakeholders who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to hear directly from them. I hope bridging this gap will help to amplify important issues and bring more understanding of the community. I look forward to the opportunity to listen, to learn, and to help elevate the voices of the members.”

    Social Media Links: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EleniKounalakis

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/EleniForCA

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleniforca

    • On Instagram, she posted a selfie with Pete Buttigieg, with the caption, “It was great to support my friend @Pete.Buttigieg yesterday! I am grateful for the work he is doing to help build and invest in the new generation of politics and political leaders who will lead our country into this new era of democracy.”

    • She also shared her endorsement from Equality CA on Instagram, with the caption, “It is an honor to have earned the endorsement from @EQCA! Equality California is the largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization that fights to protect LGBTQ+ Californians at the local, state, and national levels, and I am proud to stand alongside them in the continued fight for equality.”

    • She shared an endorsement from Reproductive Freedom for All, too, with the caption, “We’re endorsing Eleni Kounalakis for California Treasurer! As Lieutenant Governor, @EleniForCa worked to safeguard and strengthen access to essential reproductive care. And as State Treasurer, she will continue to protect our fundamental freedoms.” To clarify, this post was made by RF4A, and Eleni is a collaborator on that post. 

    • She also posted on Instagram a celebration of the democratic defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orban, who is one of the biggest global leaders in the anti-LGBTQ movement, saying, “As the former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, I witnessed firsthand the early rise of Viktor Orbán and the consolidation of power that followed. Yesterday, the Hungarian people made their voices heard—choosing a new path that puts democracy, accountability, and the future of their country first.”

    • You can read the 2024 statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance, issued by Kounalakis’ Transgender Advisory Council, here. 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Equality California

    • Reproductive Freedom for All

    • NUHW Healthcare Union

    • California Environmental Voters

    • California Coastal Commission

    • West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District

    • Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club

    • Fresno State Cross Cultural Gender Center

    • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

    • SF Women's Political Committee

    • CA Dept of Corrections

    • California Volunteers

    • Second Lady Usha Vance

    • Stop AAPI Hate

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • In an LA Times article reprinted by Yahoo, Kounalakis said her approach would be to 'lean in’ to clean investments. “But it has to be balanced with recognizing that the returns at CalPERS and CalSTRS are very important for the hard-earned pensions of those whose retirement is being managed (...) My top priorities would be to manage the state's finances with responsibility and experience,’ she said, ‘and to build more housing and the infrastructure to support it, to protect our pensions and manage our investment portfolio with transparency and accountability.”

    • Eleni ran for governor in 2023, but ended her campaign to redirect to the State Treasurer race. Of the decision to switch races, she said, “I am very happy because it is so closely aligned with my skill set (...) I think it's so important to have a state treasurer who has that kind of experience to manage our financial future responsibly (...) I have been using my international experience serving the state as our representative for international trade and investment, which has a very heavy economic development piece to it.”

    • When asked about her priorities, she said she’d lean into investments into clean energy, continuing, “My top priorities would be to manage the state's finances with responsibility and experience (...) and to build more housing and the infrastructure to support it, to protect our pensions and manage our investment portfolio with transparency and accountability.”

    • Speaking on AB 245, which required CA higher education institutions to allow trans students to change their names on their diplomas and records, which she co-sponsored, she said, “California is taking an important step towards protecting and supporting trans and gender nonconforming students in California’s public higher education institutions by ensuring that every student receives a diploma that accurately reflects their chosen name.”

    Endorsed by: (See link for full list)

    • Equality California 

    • Kamala Harris

    • Hillary Clinton

    • Barbara Boxer (Fmr. CA Congresswoman)

    • Adam Schiff (CA Congressman)

    • Alex Padilla (CA Congressman)

    • Nancy Pelosi (CA Congresswoman)

    • Pete Buttigieg

    • Gavin Newsom

    • Fiona Ma (Current State Treasurer)

    • Malia Cohen (Current State Controller)

    • Rob Bonta (Current State Attorney General)

    • CA Labor Federation

    • Teamsters CA

    • California Federation of Teachers

    • California Teachers Association

    • California State Association of Electrical Workers

    • East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club

    • San Francisco Women’s Political Committee

    • Sierra Club

    • Reproductive Freedom for All

    • California YIMBY

    • California Environmental Voters

    • California Council for Affordable Housing

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • As Lt. Governor, Kounalakis co-sponsored AB 378, the Gender Equity in Leadership Act, which removes gendered language relating to the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Controller, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Board of Equalization. Source

    • As Lt. Governor, Kounalakis co-sponsored AB 245, which requires California's public colleges and universities to allow transgender and nonbinary students to update their academic records—including diplomas—with their affirmed names and correct gender markers, preventing them from being deadnamed. Source

    Follow the Money: via the link

    (*not available for CITY government positions)

    • https://www.transparencyusa.org/ca/candidate/eleni-kounalakis/

    • $11,571,047 Cash on Hand

    • $9,367,777 Total Contributions

    • $14,202,620 Total Expenditures

    • Top 10 contributors:

      • $572,141.68 Eleni Kounalakis

      • $310,615.48 Aggregated Unitemized Contributions

      • $53,800.00 Tina Thomas

      • $39,200.00 California Professional Firefighters Ballot Issues Committee

      • $39,200.00 California Teachers Association/association for Better Citizenship

      • $39,200.00 Professional Engineers in California Government Pecg PAC

      • $39,200.00 Ronald Conway

      • $38,800.00 Association of California School Administrators PAC

      • $37,800.00 Richard J Saker

      • $34,400.00 Raise the Wage California Sponsored by the California State Council of Service Employees and Its Affiliates

  • *Information as of our June 2026 Primary Guide*

    Campaign Statement:

    “Jennifer Hawks | REPUBLICAN

    I am not a career politician, and that perspective is exactly why I’m running for California State Treasurer. A Silicon Valley resident since 1983, I’ve watched California grow, innovate, and face increasingly complex financial challenges. I raised my family here, worked inside large organizations, and served on community and public boards where budgets had to balance and decisions carried real consequences. Those experiences taught me that good intentions are not enough. Sound financial management requires discipline, follow-through, and accountability. California’s fiscal challenges did not happen overnight. They are the result of years of decisions made without sufficient scrutiny or long-term discipline. I am detail-driven and persistent, and I believe the Treasurer has a responsibility to ask hard questions, follow the money, and provide clear answers to the public when something doesn’t add up. Honesty, integrity, and transparency are not slogans; they are essential duties of this office. The Treasurer’s Office should operate with rigorous oversight, measurable performance standards, and full transparency for taxpayers, local governments, and investors. As Treasurer, I will prioritize thorough audits, clear reporting, and practical financial discipline to strengthen California’s fiscal foundation. This office exists to safeguard public money, independent of political agendas. My focus will be on what best serves the people of California. Responsible stewardship, accountability, and long-term financial stability. Vote Jennifer Hawks www.hawksforus.com”

    Email: info@hawksforus.com

    Campaign Website: https://hawksforus.com/

    Her campaign website has the following piece of Biblical scripture on it, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. - Joshua 1:9”. The book of Joshua is part of the Old Testament in the Bible covering the story of the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land, and the scripture she’s quoting appears to be the New International Version translation of the Bible. 

    Her website has a page labeled “The Problem”, which says the following; “Breaking: CAL DOGE Exposes $435 Billion in Fraud & Waste (...) $435 Billion Lost. Zero Accountability.

    That's over $22,000 stolen from every California taxpayer. The Controller has missed federal audit deadlines three years running.” 

    Among other things listed on her campaign website highlighting ‘The Problem’ with the State Treasurer’s office, she also includes, “The Human Crisis”, which goes into detail about the homelessness crisis in CA, mostly referring to the unhoused population living rough on CA states. “Since 2018, California has spent more than $24 billion on homelessness programs. Over the same period, the unhoused population has grown to more than 180,000 people — the largest in the United States. The crisis didn't shrink. It accelerated.”   

    • Pride at the Pier Note: Over 50% of the population of homeless trans people in the United States live in CA, largely contributed to by the massive refugee crisis of hundreds of thousands of trans people fleeing states that are hostile to trans people. 

    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Hawks sat for an interview with former Republican Congressmember Matt Gaetz, who now has a show on OAN. As a reminder, Gaetz was pushed out of Congress largely as a response from even members within his own party after details of his sexual conduct with minors became public knowledge. Source

    • Hawks has never served in elected office before, something she feels makes her uniquely qualified for this seat, as she is outside of the political establishment. 

    Social Media Links: 

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/votehawks

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/votehawks

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585043011188 

    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • David Tangipa, CA Assemblymember and anti-trans activist

    • Rogan O’Handley, “DC_Draino”, America First Lawyer

    • California Republican Party

    • Gloria Romero, Republican Candidate for Lt. Governor

    • Michael Gates, fmr. HB City Attorney, fmr. Trump DOJ, Candidate for CA AG. Anti-LGBTQ+ activist.

    • Herb Morgan, Republican candidate for State Controller

    • CA Rifle & Pistol Association Political Action Committee

    • California Globe, Right Wing Biased news engine

    • Nick Shirley, Far-right influencer involved with Trump administration

    • James O'Keefe, founder of Project Veritas

    • Cam Higby, Far-right media figure

    • Reform California

    • Carl DeMaio, CA State Assemblymember and chair of Reform CA

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On instagram, “When i'm in office Fraudifornia will be a distant memory because we will track every dollar spent.”

    • On instagram, “Right now, we are living in a dark time, and you can see it running rampant on the streets of Los Angeles.”

    • When asked by the OC Register where she stands on the question of divesting CA state funds from Israel, she replied, “I favor smart investing, so Californians get the best rate of return possible for their money. So whatever is going to maximize our investment returns is what matters most. CalPERS and CalSTRS manage a $1 trillion portfolio combined. Those funds are invested in a wide variety of banks, bonds, and companies, based on what is going to profit Californians. The target is 7% to remain solvent. Between $1 and $2 billion is invested in banks, bonds and stocks linked to Israel. Some of those companies are well-known multinational corporations, like Caterpillar and Chevron. And the return on those for fiscal year ’24-’25 was 11.6% for CalPERS and 8.5% for CalSTRS, well above the target 7%. So 0.1-0.2% of the portfolio is putting $100 to $227 million into their trusts, helping cover unfunded liabilities and reducing the amount of taxpayer money the state must contribute in the future to keep the pension system solvent. That just makes financial sense; it’s smart investing.”

    • When asked how her background prepares her for this role, she answered, “I am not a career politician; I’m a retired businesswoman and mother. I know what it means to balance a budget for both a company and a household. I built my career on managing complex budgets and teams with care and precision. Career politicians treat our state’s funds like a blank check because they’ve never worked in the private sector, where you have to balance the books, meet payroll, ensure there’s a return on every dollar spent and hold vendors to account. As a businesswoman, I know how to cut unnecessary costs and deliver results. I will bring the discipline, transparency and tough love that I learned from years as a business owner to Sacramento.”

    Endorsed by: 

    • California Republican Party

    • California Republican Assembly

    • California Rifle and Pistol Association

    • California Women's Leadership Association PAC (CWLA PAC)

    • Carl DeMaio

    • Reform California

    • American Independent Party Note: this is NOT the same thing as No Party Preference. The AI Party is an extreme far-right political party. 

    • Santa Barbara County Republican Party

    • United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California

    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None found, as Hawks has never served in an elected capacity before. 

    Follow the Money: 

    • https://www.transparencyusa.org/ca/candidate/jennifer-hawks/ 

    • $38,436 Cash on Hand

    • $32,447 Total Contributions

    • $19,011 Total Expenditures

    • Top 10 Contributors:

      • $7,500.00, Joy Craft

      • $5,500.00, Carl DeMaio (Chair of Reform CA)

      • $5,000.00, Thomas Gutshall

      • $1,500.00, Robert Varich

      • $1,000.00, Anna Kramer

      • $1,000.00, Carol Ann Petty

      • $1,000.00, Cynthia Varich

      • $1,000.00, Dale Broome

      • $1,000.00, Debbie Brookfield

      • $1,000.00, Marya Keeth