2026

Below you will find every single race that can be found in Tustin, 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.

Tustin

City Council Race

  • Tustin City Council District 3 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “RAY SCHNELL | Councilmember/Business Executive

    Tustin is my home. My wife Cheryl and I have raised our two daughters here and watched them thrive in this wonderful city. Over the past twenty years, I have come to deeply value the small- town character and quality of life that makes Tustin so very special. My background as a business executive and entrepreneur, along with my MBA from Chapman University, has shaped how I approach public service: practical, honest, accountable, and focused on results that matter most to our residents.

    Four years ago, I asked the good people of Tustin for the opportunity to serve with three clear priorities: public safety as job number one, economic vitality paired with fiscal responsibility, as well as honest, transparent government. As the city’s current Mayor Pro Tem, and with your support, I have delivered on every one of them.

    On public safety, police funding and officer staffing have increased, technology and equipment upgraded, and school safety strengthened. The results are clear – total crime has fallen 46 percent over the past four years. I am proud of this work and have earned the endorsements of the Tustin Police Officers Association, the Tustin Police Support Services Association, the Orange County Sheriff, and the Orange County Firefighters Association Local 3631 because they know I will continue fighting to keep our neighborhoods and schools safe.

    On economic vitality and fiscal responsibility, I have supported and delivered balanced city budgets every year. Voted to advance smart, thoughtful development that grows revenue while

    preserving Tustin’s unique small-town character. I have also kept city fees and taxes low, reduced unnecessary regulations, accelerated our city pension paydown to retire this debt early, and increased investments in public parks, roads, traffic relief, and essential infrastructure. These steps protect affordability and ensure we can fund the critical services and quality of life measures residents depend on and enjoy.

    On transparency, I have insisted on open financial disclosures, public budget workshops, and meaningful community engagement so residents can see and have a say in how their hard earned tax dollars are being spent. These same priorities continue to guide my work. With proven results and principled leadership, I will keep working tirelessly to ensure Tustin remains a safe, strong, and prosperous place for our families and the generations to follow.

    I respectfully ask for your vote to continue serving the great city of Tustin. Learn more at www.rayfortustin.com.”


    Email: 

    No campaign email address found


    Campaign Website: https://rayfortustin.com/


    Priorities: 

    • Public safety

    • Economic Vitality & Fiscal Responsibility

    • Transparency


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Currently Mayor Pro Tem of Tustin

    • Has served as a City Council Member since 2022 

    • Voted to increase funding for the Tustin Police Department to reduce turnover of tenured police officers and attract both seasoned officer transfers and new recruits. 

    • Hired additional officers and expanded police force to increase patrols in Tustin.

    • Approved funding for a comprehensive integrated public safety technology platform that modernizes the Tustin Police Department's body-worn and in-car cameras, less-lethal devices, real-time operations crime center, and digital evidence management systems. These changes will improve response times and enhance overall public safety for Tustin residents 

    • Ray is a business executive with experience at Fortune 500 companies and as an entrepreneur starting several small businesses. His expertise in due diligence, cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and M&A transactional risk has helped large corporations and private equity firms maximize enterprise value and drive operational excellence. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester and a Master of Business Administration from Chapman University, graduating Beta Gamma Sigma.

    • Ray's public service includes representing Tustin on the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies (as Director and Member of the Finance & Investment Committee), serving as Trustee and Vice Chair of the Orange County Cemetery District, and acting as alternate for the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency and Senior Fund Board of Directors. Prior to his election, he served on boards such as the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, Tustin Schools Superintendent Advisory Council, Peter's Canyon Elementary School Site Council, El Dorado HOA, and as President of the Chapman University MBA Alumni Association.

    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • GOP Asian American Committee

    • Tustin Police Department

    • Orange County Sheriff’s Department

    • California Republican Party

    • OC Sheriff Don Barnes 

    • CHP Border Div Recruitment 


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Ray responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire. 

      • Question: How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

      • Answer: “As a business executive, I believe city government must live within its means, cut wasteful spending, and prioritize results for residents. Since I’ve been on the city council, we have balanced the budget every year, accelerated pension paydowns (on track for early retirement of the obligation in 2036), kept fees and taxes low, reduced unnecessary regulations, and invested in roads, parks, traffic relief, and infrastructure. New revenue should come primarily from economic development and smart growth that expands the tax base by attracting families and businesses — not from higher taxes or fees that burden residents already facing inflation. Trimming inefficiency and aligning spending with resident priorities remains essential, alongside building prudent reserves. This combination of fiscal discipline, pro-business policies, and targeted investments protects affordability and funds the services people rely on.”

      • Question: In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

      • Answer: “Public safety remains job number one, alongside preserving quality of life and economic vitality amid growth pressures. We have increased police funding, expanded the force, modernized technology, and strengthened school safety — contributing to substantial crime reductions (total crime down 46% the past 4 years). I will continue fighting for the resources our police, fire, and schools need to operate successfully. At the same time, we must continue disciplined fiscal management, smart development that grows revenue without sacrificing character, and transparent governance. These priorities will keep Tustin safe, strong, and prosperous for families.”

    • Voice of OC asked Ray during his 2022 campaign what he thought the biggest issue was in the city. He replied, “Ensuring we have a plan to preserve Tustin’s amazing quality of life, even as communities around us grapple with increasing crime, homelessness and cost of living.” (x) 


    Endorsed by: 

    • Tustin Police Officers Association (TPOA) 

    • Tustin Police Support Services Association (TPSSA) 

    • Don Wagner 

    • Young Kim 

    • Don Barnes 


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record: 

    • Voted to increase funding for the Tustin Police Department to reduce turnover of tenured police officers and attract both seasoned officer transfers and new recruits. 


    Follow the Money: 

    • Tustin Police Officers Association PAC ($5,900)

    • OC Firefighters Association ($5,900)

    • ECP Investors LLC ($2,500)

    • Tustin Police Services Association ($5,900)

  • Tustin City Council District 3 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    THOMAS JAMES "TJ" REED 

    AGE: 36

    Assistant Professor

    My name is Dr. Thomas James “TJ” Reed. I’m running for Tustin City Council District 3 because Tustin shaped who I am, and I’m committed to helping shape its future. I want future generations to experience the same quality of life I was fortunate to have growing

    up and preserve what makes Tustin special.

    Tustin is home. My desire to make a difference started at a young age, when I served as President at Arroyo Elementary School and ASB President at Foothill High School.

    My campaign is built on three pillars: community, integrity, and service. I believe in celebrating the diversity that makes Tustin strong, leading with integrity and accountability, and putting the

    needs of our residents first in decisions.

    I choose to personally fund my campaign rather than accept outside donations. This grassroots effort reflects my commitment to making decisions based on what’s best for Tustin residents and ensuring the community's voice remains at the center of local government.

    I’ve spent my life learning how to serve others in public service. I earned a Bachelor’s in Communication from Pepperdine University, a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a PhD in Leadership and Organizational Consulting from the University of San Diego. I completed leadership and governance programs through George Washington University and Harvard University.

    I served on the Del Rey Neighborhood Council as Director of Area E and was appointed to the Del Rey Neighborhood Council Land Use and Planning Committee, where I worked with residents to address local priorities and strengthen community engagement.

    Presently, I serve as an Assistant Professor at California State University, Long Beach, where I’m appointed to the President's Commission on Economic and Workforce Development. I’m an

    Adjunct Professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School and the National Judicial College, and trainer at University of San Diego’s Center for Restorative Justice.

    One lesson I tell my students is: “We are the leaders we have been waiting for.” I’ll lead with service and integrity, pursuing policies that do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

    I advocate for preserving the safety of our community, uplifting local businesses, strengthening the Tustin Unified School District, supporting first responders, ensuring economic responsibility,

    addressing public health and environmental concerns, promoting transparency and accountability within local government, valuing community input in development decisions to fit the needs and values of our residents, and preserving Tustin as a community

    where families live, work, shop, and thrive for generations.

    An elder in my family's Native American Tribe, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, gave me a name meaning, "He is a Good Man." Every day, I strive to live up to my name.

    Deep roots, strong future. Tustin, together we rise.

    tjfortustin.com | @tjfortustin | tj@tjfortustin.com” 


    Email: tj@tjfortustin.com


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


    Priorities: (TJ lists these as what he advocates for)

    • Promoting transparency and accountability within local government

    • Ensuring economic responsibility

    • Uplifting local businesses

    • Strengthening the Tustin Unified School District

    • Addressing public health and environmental concerns

    • Maintaining and improving local infrastucture

    • Preserving the safety of our community

    • Supporting first responders

    • Valuing community input in development decisions to fit the needs and values of our residents

    • Keeping Tustin as a community where families live, work, shop, and thrive for generations to come


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • TJ is a dual citizen of both the US and of the Native American Tribal Nation of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, a federally recognized sovereign Indigenous government and a founding member of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. The Iroquois Confederacy is the one of the oldest participatory democracies in the world, predating European colonization of North America by hundreds of years. TJ shared in an article with Voyage LA that the name given to him by elders within his family’s Oneida tribe when he was a child is Lukwe’tiyó, which translates to ‘He is a Good Man’. Reed also shared his connection to his English, Irish, and German heritage, saying, “I see myself as a bridge between cultures.” (x)

    • If TJ is elected, he will be only the second openly indigenous person to be elected at the local government level Orange County, following José Trinidad Castañeda in Buena Park, who was elected in 2022. At the state level, Assemblymember Avelino Valencia was a member of the Californian Native American Legislative Caucus - although Valencia is primarily identified in public spaces through his Latino identity. 

    • Reed received his Bachelors in Communications from Pepperdine, his Masters in Public Administration at CSU Long Beach, and his PhD in Leadership and Organizational Consulting from University of San Diego.

    • Reed is a professor at both the Virginia School of Law and at CSU Long Beach. In addition, he is a trainer at the University of California at San Diego, educating students on the principles and practices of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice, in short, focuses on repairing harm by bringing victims, offenders, and community members together to talk. Instead of just punishing the offender (retributive justice, like our modern American carceral justice system), this process encourages them to take responsibility for their actions and actively fix the damage. The ultimate goal is to heal the victims, rehabilitate the wrongdoer, and strengthen the community.


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Fmr. Tustin Mayor Letitia Clark

    • Politics in the Wild (left-wing commentary account) 

    • CA Attorney General Rob Bonta

    • Allyson Muniz Damikolas (TUSD Trustee, reliable LGBTQ+ ally) 

    • Ataaxum Pomkwaan (Indigenous Advocacy)

    • The OC Bookfair (Pride at the Pier will be a guest at the next one)

    • Austin Lumbard

    • Mayor Rex Richardson (Long Beach)

    • Decolonize Myself

    • Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation

    • One Seed Community Garden

    • Stop AAPI Hate Action

    • Intertribal Friendship House

    • Orange County Animal Allies

    • Notorious Cree (indigenous content creator)

    • CSULB Women's & Gender Equity Center

    • Orange County Rescue Mission

    • Dolores C. Huerta

    • UCLA American Indian Studies Center

    • Friends of Puvungna

    • CSULB Africana Studies Student Association

    • National Congress of American Indians

    • Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians- Kizh Nation


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Reed did an in-depth interview with Voyage LA. One of the questions asked was, “Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?” Reed answered, “There have been some struggles along the way.

    During my undergraduate education at Pepperdine University, I dropped out of school twice before eventually completing my bachelor’s degree.

    When I was a graduate student at Cal State Long Beach, I fell on hard times. For about a year, I could not afford eating consistent meals. I often would get through the day by eating scoops of peanut butter, if I had any. Every day I would skateboard 6 miles to class one way and 6-miles back from class to get home.

    At one point I visited the student health center on the CSULB campus, and Dr. Kimberly Fodran told me if I lost any more weight, I would need to get checked into the ER immediately as my body was not absorbing nutrients.

    My time at Cal State Long Beach as a graduate student was filled with some of the best classes I’ve ever taken in my life, and also filled with some of the most difficult times in my life. I was pointed to resources like the food pantry on campus. I was given some Emergency Relief Student Meals through our University’s cafeteria. An American Indian Studies professor even bought me lunch once, and I remember crying as I ate, as I had not eaten in two days before that.

    After looking at 23 different PhD programs, the top program I wanted to go to had a $40 fee to apply. At the time, I only had $45 to my name. I went forth and graduated with my PhD from that program.

    In Tupac Shakur’s book of poetry, “A rose that grew from concrete,” Tupac said “just because you grow there, doesn’t mean you have to go there.” Meaning, if you grew up in a hard situation, whether that be trauma, poverty, abuse, illness, loss, etc. know that your story doesn’t have to end there.

    There is still so much life for you to live.

    A big lesson I have learned in my own life is about being brave enough to be who I am in this world. About being brave enough to carry forth the legacy of our ancestors. I often heard some people tell me I’m ONLY one fourth Oneida. Only. I struggled for a long time with feeling native enough or looking native enough. And for a long time I listened to people who told me I was not enough. 

    But let me tell you: now, I do not care.

    In the words of Zitkala Sa, “I am what I am. I owe no apologies to God or man.” And in the words of the opening dialogue from the film, “The Doe Boy”: “Nobody cares how much blood runs through a deer. But everyone wants to know how much blood runs through an Indian. It’s kind of hard to tell unless you cut one of us open and watch all the stories pour out.”

    Don’t be afraid to be who you are.” (x)

    • NOTE: We felt strongly about including this quote - as Pride at the Pier has a trans mutual aid fund and network where we try to provide community care for trans folks in crisis in Orange County, we see how many members of our community suffer seriously with food and housing insecurity. There are very few candidates for public office who we have seen speak openly about their struggles with poverty, if they’ve had any. It matters to include those narratives - voting is not an activity limited to middle class and wealthy people. 


    Endorsed by: 

    Candidate did not list any endorsements, but a few “collaborators”. These collaborators are his campaign staff. 

    We have never seen a candidate share and uplift his campaign staff before - this was a new one for us. 


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record: 

    None, candidate has not held public office


    Follow the Money: 

    • $5,000 donation from candidate to campaign (self-funding)

City Mayoral Race

  • Tustin Mayor Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “LETITIA CLARK | Community College Director

    Dear Neighbors,

    As your Mayor and City Councilmember from 2016 to 2024, I led Tustin through COVID-19, protected small businesses, supported frontline workers, approved more than 2,100 new homes at Tustin Legacy, and made City Hall more accessible through online meetings and the Engage Tustin app.

    Tustin is home. I graduated from Tustin High School, built my career through education, culminating in earning my doctorate, and with my husband we’ve proudly raised our three  children here. Those experiences shape every decision I make and keep me focused on building a Tustin where every family can thrive. 

    I'm running for Mayor to put that experience to work again with a clear plan for Tustin's future. That means supporting local businesses, investing in parks, roads, housing, public safety,  mergency preparedness, and mental health services, while partnering with our schools to expand mentorship and career opportunities for young people. My goal is to make Tustin the best city it can be for today's residents and the next generation, including my own children.

    You know my record, my values, and my commitment to this community. I respectfully ask for your vote for Mayor on or before November 3, 2026.

    To learn more, please visit www.letitiaclark.com”


    Email: Info@letitiaclark.com 


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

    Letitia’s campaign website opens up on a photo of her smiling during an event in downtown Tustin. 

    Priorities: 

    • Thriving Local Economy

      • Support small businesses and attract responsible development that creates jobs, aligns with community values, and preserves Tustin’s unique charm.

    • Quality Amenities and Infrastructure

      • Invest in parks, community spaces, housing, and modern infrastructure to enhance our quality of life and meet the needs of a growing and diverse population.

    • Public Safety & Health

      • Ensure continued investment in public safety, emergency preparedness, and mental health services for a safe and resilient Tustin.

    • Youth and Education Support

      • Strengthen partnerships with schools and youth organizations to expand mentorship, leadership, and career pathways for Tustin’s next generation.

    • Community Engagement and Unity

      • Lead with transparency, listen actively, and foster inclusive civic dialogue to bring people together and build trust in city government.


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • On June 2, 2020, Letitia read The Tustin Solidarity Proclamation, a statement to declare Tustin's solidarity with those who protest peacefully against injustice, racism and hate at a Tustin city council meeting, following a vote from the council to pass it. That proclamation reads; (x) 

      • “June 2, 2020

    Whereas, Tustin residents and businesses support one another when we are hurting, and today is no exception; and

    Whereas, many of us cannot begin to understand the depths of anguish and pain caused by the inexcusable treatment of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We share in the anger and exhaustion that his death has sparked; and

    Whereas, the anguish, suffering, and pain caused by injustice, racism, and hate are reverberating throughout our country; and

    Whereas, we stand with the African-American members of our community, with all people of color in our community, with all those who have been marginalized and disenfranchised. We stand with the entire Tustin community;

    Whereas, Tustin’s Police Department operates under a set of values that prioritize the community in public safety and policing efforts. The longstanding Chief Advisory Board is made up of local residents, and it operates to engage in candid dialogue with Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg about how to serve the community effectively; and

    Whereas, the City Council supports peaceful protests in Tustin that can serve as a critical tool for public awareness. We simultaneously condemn riots, often fueled by outside agitators, that are followed by violence and vandalism; and

    Whereas, the City Council’s commitment to community policing will not only continue but will be enhanced in response to recent events; and

    Whereas, the City also intends to engage the community to promote open dialogues about intolerance of racism, implicit bias, and discrimination. We are Tustin and we are strong.

    Now, Therefore, the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, does hereby proclaim its solidarity with those who protest peacefully against injustice, racism and hate. Dated this 2nd day of June, 2020.”

    • Outside of city government, Letitia serves as a Chief Communications Officer for a community college district, where she advocates for education, workforce development, and housing at the local, state, and federal levels. She has been nationally recognized for her leadership and is the author of two books about balancing motherhood and public service.

    • Attended John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

    • Letitia is a graduate of Tustin High School, where her own children have also attended. She lives in Tustin Ranch with her husband and three kids. 

    • She’s the author of award-winning book, “Mommy is the Mayor”, which she wrote for her own kids. (x) 

    • Per the OC Register, Clark said housing would be a priority, and she aims to bring back a version of Tustin’s “workforce housing” program that she championed. (x) 

    • The OC Register reported on the complex reality around Clark’s initial run for office as one of very few Black women to run for office in Orange County, a region filled with historically sundown towns, history with the Klu Klux Klan, and that still feels the impacts of redlining, with only approximately 2% of the county being Black. The Register reported; “Clark said she was advised to run as an independent, while some suggested she not include a photo on her mailers so voters wouldn’t know her race.

    A Black woman and single mother of twins at the time, she said she refused all of it.

    “Look, I am who I am. They will find out eventually,” she said. “I want to know that if I win, it’s because people knew exactly who I was. And if I don’t win, and the city’s not ready to elect someone like me — then that’s OK, too.”

    Then in 2020, nine people vied for three council seats, including Clark, who came out on top with more than 15,000 votes — which she said was the most a candidate has earned in Tustin’s history. She said her colleagues then voted to appoint her to the mayoral role, making her the city’s first Black woman to serve as mayor, and its first woman in that role in nearly two decades.” (x)


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • OC Equality Coalition

    • Orange County Labor Federation

    • NAACPOC

    • OC Action

    • OC Equality Coalition (LGBTQ advocacy group)

    • Planned Parenthood

    • OC Young Dems

    • WAVE

    • Women in Leadership


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • When interviewed by Voyage LA in 2022, she was asked to explain how she got to where she was today (2022). Letitia replied, “My story really begins in the 3rd grade when I first ran for a student council position. I continued to serve in student government throughout my academic career and into my college years because of that successful 3rd grade election that gave me the confidence to be a voice for others. However, it wasn’t until I started to work on campaigns in New Orleans, LA as a student at Xavier University that I first saw other Black women running for office. As an Orange County kid, I never saw this “in real life”. Until then, I thought the extent of my opportunity to be involved with the law was being a lawyer, which is why my major was pre-law. Once I began to meet the women behind the campaign flyers and was inspired to make laws instead of just learn the law, I changed my major to political science and public administration.

    Upon graduation, I got an internship and then later a low-level legislative position with the New Orleans City Council. I was a new-ish employee when Hurricane Katrina was approaching the city and immediately became essential personnel. I then worked to help the city respond to the disaster, seeing the good and bad behind disaster recovery. The most poignant lesson for me was to learn how local elected officials sacrificed so much to be there for the community in the greatest time of need. Something changed in me after I was part of those efforts. And even though I experienced loss, losing all of my possessions (as much as a 22 years old could possess), I was inspired to continue a career in local public service.I went on to do some government relations work, lobbying, and staffing for other elected officials in Atlanta and New Orleans.

    After going through a divorce, I moved back home to Orange County and used my connection to my hometown and the experiences down south to run and win in Tustin—becoming the first African-American woman to be elected to the Tustin City Council in 2016 and then selected Mayor in 2020.”

    • In an interview with the OC Register, Clark said, “A lot of folks are asking, what can the mayor do? It’s just another vote on the City Council (...) I think the mayor has a big hand in what the tone is of the council, and the staff, and the direction and the vision of the city. The mayor is the spokesperson, and we can use that platform for good or for bad — or do nothing with it.”

    • When asked what makes her a good leader, and how she would represent the diverse communities in her city, Clark replied, “Leadership starts with listening. As a communications professional, I understand the importance of building trust, communicating clearly, demonstrating empathy, respecting cultural differences and creating genuine two-way dialogue.

    I am also a student of sound government, with a master’s degree in public policy, a doctorate in public administration and Harvard training in effectively managing organizations. I would combine that education with my previous elected experience and residents’ input to develop innovative, practical solutions to Tustin’s greatest needs.

    Early in my career, I worked for both Democrats and Republicans, learning to seek common ground and focus first on what unites us. As state and federal rhetoric becomes increasingly divisive, Tustin needs a leader who can bring people together around local solutions.

    Serving as an essential worker during Hurricane Katrina taught me how to lead through adversity and prepared me to help guide as Tustin’s mayor during COVID-19, focusing on response, restoration and recovery.

    As a Tustin High School graduate, former Miss Tustin participant, TUSD parent and longtime supporter of local youth organizations, I know and love this community. I am not seeking to be a politician. I am a public servant committed to ensuring every resident feels heard, respected and represented.”


    Endorsed by: 

    • Rep. Dave Min

    • Cottie Petrie-Norris - CA State Assemblymember

    • Sharon Quick-Silva - CA State Assemblymember

    • Katrina Foley - Orange County Supervisor

    • Vicente Sarmiento - Orange County Supervisor

    • Democratic Party of Orange County

    • California Democratic Party

    • WAVE

    • OC Action

    • UAW Region 6

    • Planned Parenthood

    • OC DSA (recommend)

    • Sierra Club

    • OC Indivisible


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record: 

    • Voted to pass the Tustin Solidarity Proclamation in 2020 in response to the police murder of George Floyd that led to a mass engagement with the Black Lives Matter movement. Letitia authored this resolution, and managed to get the city council to vote yes unanimously on it. (x)


    Follow the Money: 

    • Painters and Allied Trades District Council ($9,500)

    • Southern California District Council of Laborers PAC ($1,500)

    • Tustin Police Officers Association PAC ($5,900)

    • VA Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union NO. 582 PAC ($5,900)

    • Women in Leadership PAC ($2,500)

  • Tustin Mayor Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “AUSTIN LUMBARD

    Tustin turns 100 years old next year, and our community is full of energy and optimism. When you elected me four years ago as your mayor, I made commitments to you. Those promises have been kept. Together, we have invested in Tustin’s future, increasing police and fire resources, strengthening our finances, and cleaning up our streets and parks.

    My work is dedicated to you. My family plays in our parks and visits our shops and restaurants. My children attend Tustin public schools. We volunteer with our wonderful non-profits. Most of our evenings and weekends are spent on our fields for baseball, football, soccer, or basketball. Everywhere we go, I meet folks who love our town and care deeply about protecting and strengthening our city. And I am honored to serve as your mayor and to help shape a safer, more resilient, and prosperous Tustin for every resident.

    Strengthening public safety: I am proud to be endorsed by OC Sheriff Don Barnes, Tustin Police, and OC Firefighters who recognize our success in expanding public safety resources to every neighborhood, business, and school. Our commitments resulted in reduced crime - 35% reduction in violent crime and 17% reduction in property crime - increasing Tustin’s home values and keeping Tustin residents safe.

    Reinforcing financial discipline: we delivered strict budget policies that reduced our city’s unfunded pension liabilities and increased rainy-day funds. We are leveraging strategic partnerships and attracting new businesses to increase revenue, instead of increasing taxes.

    Cleaning up our community: we are refreshing our beautiful parks and cleaning up our tired streets and medians. We are reducing homelessness and blight by partnering with experts and securing state and federal funding, including creating a facility for families with children experiencing homelessness.

    Promoting Tustin’s character: we are investing in Old Town infrastructure and amenities; we are increasing public art; we opened Tustin’s first dog park; and we added to our thousands of city-maintained trees. We are expanding public facilities and promoting sustainable development. Together, we have focused on what makes Tustin special and invested in our future.

    I am humbled to be endorsed by a long list of Tustin’s leaders including current Tustin Councilmen Ryan Gallagher, John Nielsen, and Ray Schnell, and a long list of former mayors. Please join them in supporting me.

    I would be honored to receive your vote!

    To find out more or to join Team Tustin visit www.Austin4Tustin.com”


    Email: None found. Campaign website has an online contact form instead


    Campaign Website: https://www.austin4tustin.com/


    Priorities:

    • Business & Nonprofit Support

    • Dynamic Development

    • Great Schools

    • Public Safety

    • Quality of Life


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Austin is the incumbent Mayor of Tustin, and was Mayor when the North Tustin Hangar (owned by the US Navy, outside of the city’s direct jurisdiction) burned down, a 24- day fire and tragedy that impacted people across the city directly as toxic materials drifted in the air. Lumbard and the Tustin City staff did respond to this. 

      • Some criticism of the city’s response was in that the nearby schools were not closed until two days after the fire began - including one school that is a stone’s throw from the fire. A member of the Pride at the Pier team lived in Tustin at the time, and recalls how they were able to drive right up to the fence of the hangar around 11 AM that morning, approximately 10 hours after the fire started, and saw asbestos pieces on the ground that anyone could pick up - and lots of people were there watching, unobstructed by any government barriers beyond the existing chain-link fence. However, once the schools and surrounding businesses were closed and the surrounding area evacuated, the city’s response did escalate. 

      • In another move that was highly criticized, the City of Tustin advised residents who were outside of the direct evacuation zone to clean up any asbestos-ridden fire debris and dispose of it in their trash bins - despite the fact that the city’s waste hauler, CR&R, does not take asbestos. 

      • The city declared a public emergency two days in, and advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible. 

      • A month after the fire started, the Orange County Health Care Agency declared any risk to Tustin residents from the hangar fire was low and that asbestos fibers in the air played a “limited role.” Based on the experience of our Pride at the Pier team member, we know that at least some Tustin residents felt unconvinced by those statements from the OCHCA. That same month, the city announced the $900,000 followup study out of an abundance of caution.

      • Lumbard and other city staff worked to ensure the US Military, who were responsible for the property, would be paying for all of the damages of the fire. As of May 2024, the US Navy had promised up to $61 Million in recompense, but the city was in the process of trying to increase that number. We don’t have a more current update. 

      • In another issue that came out after the immediate crisis that has caused concern amongst residence - a study had been done of the South Hangar by the city of Tustin (not the one that burned, but nearly identical to the North Hangar just a short distance away on the same property) in 2017, which revealed the existence of hazardous materials within the building materials including asbestos, lead, biological contaminants, and groundwater contaminants that may result in vapor intrusion issues, per the report. Later reports referenced back to this initial report and brought up the concern that the city was aware prior to the North Hangar fire that the materials burning and drifting in the wind over Tustin residences was in fact, highly toxic - which brought into question the delays in their response, and their decision to encourage residents outside of the immediate disaster area to handle the materials themselves. 

        • NOTE: We are discussing this in Lumbard’s guide, with the understanding that as the Mayor, he would have been involved in all of the decisions and actions taken, in a leadership capacity. However, we also acknowledge that all of the work done must also be attributed to the many city staff and additional agency members across the county that were involved in resolving this crisis. 

    • Austin Lumbard holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. 

    • On September 18, 2026, he was one of a few Mayors who attended the Orange Coast Christian Outreach’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, the program of which included a “God of the City” video (we’ve looked for it but can’t find it online), and choir performances by the Vanguard Choir. John Moorlach was the emcee; Moorlach is a former state legislator out of Irvine, who received praise during his time in office from anti-LGBTQ hate group California Family Council for his reticence to support Concurrent Assembly Resolution 99 in 2019, which, among other things, urges religious leaders to counsel on LGBTQ matters from a place of love and compassion, while recognizing the psychological and emotional harms associated with conversion therapy. The event was posted by Irvine Mayor Pro-Tem James Mai.  (x) (x) 


    Social Media Links:

    • Facebook

    • Instagram

    • Austin’s Twitter account, @AustinLumbard, was suspended for violating platform rules before Elon Musk bought the platform, and that suspension has not been lifted. 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook

    • Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco (Constitutional Sheriff, extremely anti-LGBTQ, pro-ICE)

    • Lincoln Club OC

    • Prager U

    • Ben Shapiro

    • Log Cabin OC

    • Lincoln Institute CA

    • Orange County Conservatives

    • OC Gun Owners

    • Greg Laurie (Head of Harvest Christian Fellowship, currently facing lawsuits for serious allegations that he willingly covered up multiple cases of sexual assault and pedophilia from church employees under his responsibility) (x) 

    • Senator Ted Cruz

    • Robert F Kennedy Jr (current United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, leading the charge to block access to gender affirming care for trans Americans)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • When Tustin resident Narciso Barranco and father of three US Marines was badly beaten on camera by Border Patrol in agents in the neighboring city of Santa Ana - you may remember the viral video of the man running through an intersection holding his weedwhacker looking for safety before being tackled by multiple Border Patrol agents, as another agent held his gun sideways and pointed at motorists - Austin was asked to speak on the matter, as the man’s Mayor. Austin’s response was, “This seems like a Santa Ana issue — I’m mayor of Tustin and I’m very proud of how we’ve been able to keep people from all walks of life safe in our city. (...) The credit is largely due to the professionalism and bravery of our police and firefighters.” (x) 

    • In an interview with the OC Register, Lumbard said, “Everybody used to stop in our Old Town and get their tires changed, and they’d go across the street and get a glass of lemonade (...) The 5 freeway went in, and it kind of got bypassed. We’re bringing that back (...) We have a lot going on in our city. We’ve got about 80,000 residents, but we’re not in the news a lot because we don’t have flashy headlines.” (x)

    • In an interview with the LA Times in the aftermath of the Tustin Hangar Fire, Lumbard said of the Navy’s responsibility to cover the costs of the damage, “We’re spending on behalf of the Navy (...) They’ve committed to paying for the impacts, and we’re taking them at their word. We need them to expedite the government funding process to pay for the incursion.” (x) 

    • On June 25, 2022, on his now-suspended Twitter account, Lumbard says, “Why is it okay for a state government to be allowed to weigh in on mandated “vaccinations” and at the same time NOT okay for a state government to weigh in on abortion?” (x) 


    Endorsed by:

    • Tustin Police Officers Association

    • Tustin Police Support Services Association

    • Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes

    • Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner

    • Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen

    • OC Board of Education Trustee Jorge Valdes

    • OC Board of Education Trustee Tim Shaw

    • Orange County Professional Firefighters

    • Republican Party of Orange County

    • The Lincoln Club of Orange County

    • Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs

    • United States Congresswoman Young Kim

    • California State Senator Steven Choi


    Candidate in the News:

    Follow the Money: 

    • Orange County Professional Firefighters ($5,900)

    • Tustin Police Officers Association PAC ($5.900)

    • William S. Dodgeridge - President Goldenwest Diamond Corp ($1,000)

    • Patterson Auto’s PP and J Automotive ($5,900)

    • Al Murray for City Council ($4,000)

    • Patrick Remolacio - EBS Realty Partners ($5,000)

    • Karen Perricone - Retired ($5,900)

    • Joseph Perricone - Retired ($5,900)

    • U.A. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union No. 582 ($5.900)

    • Tustin Police Support Services Assn PAC ($5,900)

    • Fred Whitaker - Lawyer at Cummins & White LLP ($2,500)

    • ECP Investors, LLC - Peter Zappas ($2,500)

    • Tustin Toyota - Glenn Kashima ($1,500)

    • Fieldstead and Company - Howard Ahmanson ($5,900)

    • Manufactured Housing Education Trust PAC ($2,000)

Tustin Unified School District

  • Tustin USD Area 3 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “KELLY FELTON | Educator/Professor/Parent

    As a parent, educator, and scientist, I am running for the Tustin Unified School District Board of Education to ensure every student receives an outstanding education in a safe, supportive, and

    academically focused environment.

    My husband and I raised our two sons in public schools, and I understand firsthand the importance of strong schools and engaged families. I hold a doctorate in education and two master's degrees in science, and have spent more than 20 years teaching science at the college and high school levels.

    From cancer research labs to biotechnology classrooms, I know the value of critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and preparing students for success in college, careers, and life.

    As a Board member, I will keep students at the center of every decision, promote academic excellence, ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency, and strengthen partnerships with parents. I will support career technical education, arts, music, and athletics, plan for declining enrollment and aging schools, and protect taxpayer resources.

    I will bring practical leadership, put students first, and preserve the district our community is proud of. I would be honored to serve. 

    Dr. Kelly Felton | www.feltonforschoolboard.com”


    Email: None found


    Campaign Website: https://feltonforschoolboard.com/ 

    In her “biography”, it says, “She supports strong extracurricular programs, biology-based science education, and the teaching of accurate history — free from political agendas.”

    Priorities: 

    • Ensure Budget Accountability

    • Increase Parent & Community Engagement

    • School Safety


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Kelly ran for this same seat in 2022 but lost with a 15 point margin against incumbent Lynn Davis. Source

    • In 2022, Felton posted a call to action for the TUSD school board meeting on October 10th, asking for opposition to state law that allows trans students to participate in school sports on the teams that match their gender. source

    • Kelly, as a private citizen, was behind the efforts to implement a Forced Outing policy in Tustin USD in 2023, which did not get past the board. source

    • Kelly is involved in the California Parents’ Union, an offshoot of the California Family Council. CFC is the main anti-LGBTQ organization in California, and is probably best well-known for their leadership of the Prop 8 campaign in 2008 to ban gay marriage in the state. She has posted about her involvement with the group on social media multiple times, and openly recruits for their team. 

    • Felton’s career in higher education spans nearly 17 years, with experience as adjunct faculty in multiple schools, including National University and California Baptist University. She does not have a PhD, but does have an Ed.D in Education Leadership and a Masters in Molecular Biology and Immunology. Source

    • She participated in the North Tustin Area Republican Women candidate forum in March 2026 source

    • In August 2024, Kelly liked a post from extremist instagram page “RecallTUSD”. (This page has, among other things, made posts targeting and outing trans faculty members in the district). The post in question misidentified Olympic boxer and cisgender woman Imane Khelif as a trans woman and pushed for the exclusion of trans women from sports. The caption said, in part, “Title IX helped give girls equality and now woke policies take it away”. source


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: 



    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • At the October 9th, 2023, Tustin USD school board meeting, Kelly said in her public comments to the board, “Social transitioning of children with gender dysphoria without parental knowledge is unacceptable. Why are you in this position? The majority of your constituents don’t agree with the secret gender policy and want to see a parental rights policy implemented. There are lawsuits now that show that secret gender policies will not hold up in court. (...) You do not care about the safety, emotional stability, and development of our children”. For clarity, the ‘social transitioning’ Kelly spoke about refers to using the name and pronouns a student requests, which she considers ‘secret gender policies’. At this time, there have not been any successful lawsuits requiring teachers and faculty to misgender their trans students in California. Studies consistently show that supporting trans students in their name and gender is beneficial to their safety, emotional stability, and development.

    • On October 1st, 2022, Felton posted on her instagram in opposition to Congressional Democrats voting against forced outing policies, saying, “I believe parents are the primary educators of their children. No parent should be left in the dark when it comes to medical decisions for their children. No one can take these rights away!!! When you vote for Kelly Felton, you are electing a watchdog, mamabear that will inform all parents of legislature and how we can protect our kids from policies that hurt families.” (This is a direct quote, we did not adjust the grammar here).

    • On July 22nd, 2022, Felton posted on her instagram, “It is my duty as a parent to research and question everything for the sake of my children; not blindly trust. Doctors are not the authority, teachers are not the authority, the government is not the authority. I am.” 

    • Kelly ran for TUSD in 2022 as well. In her candidate statement she said, “Parents are the primary educators of their children and should maintain all rights to decide when, where, and how their children will be educated. Sex education should be biology-led, and parents should be able to opt-in, not opt-out for sex ed instruction. I believe in teaching accurate historical events but do not support critical race theory or social justice as educational tools in the K-12 curriculum.” You can read the full 2022 statement here. 

    • Felton commented on a post from extremist instagram page “RecallTUSD”. (This page has, among other things, made posts targeting and outing trans faculty members in the district) The post was about the inclusion of the book “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison in AP Literature classes at Foothill and Tustin High. This book has been targeted by book banning efforts for years, as it includes content about child r*pe and incest. Felton commented, “Parents should be well aware of what their kids are reading. This book is triggering for anyone who has lived through the trauma, insensitive to those who are involved, and inappropriate for the innocent minds that could never fathom being in the situation in the first place. Shame on TUSD for supporting this smut book! Parents beware!” source

    • Felton responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire. 

      • 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.)” 

    Answer: “Kids learn to disagree respectfully by practicing it, not by being told to. In science class, we argue about evidence all the time, and students pick up pretty fast that changing your mind when the facts point the other way is a good thing.

    That carries over to other subjects. Debate, mock trial, student government, and class discussions all give kids a chance to disagree with someone and still be friends afterward. I would like to see more of that in regular classes, with clear rules for how discussions work and training for teachers so they feel comfortable leading conversations on tough topics instead of steering around them.

    I want students to learn three things: find out where information came from, be able to explain the other side fairly, and go after the idea, not the person. Those same habits help them sort out what is true online.

    The board matters here, too. Kids pay attention to how adults act. If our board meetings show people disagreeing respectfully, that teaches something. If they do not, no lesson plan is going to fix it.”

    • 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.)”

    Answer: “AI is already in our schools, whether anyone planned for it or not. Before we talk about adding more, I would like to know how much time our kids already spend on screens every day. We handed out a lot of devices quickly and never really stepped back to look at what that did.

    AI can be helpful, especially for teachers. It can save time putting together lesson materials, and that is time they can spend with students.

    The worry for students is that it does the thinking for them. That matters most for younger kids who are still learning to read, write, and figure things out on their own, so I would keep it very limited in the early grades.

    Teachers should be trained on it before it is used more widely. Older students should learn that AI gets things wrong and can sound very sure of itself when it does. And student information needs to be protected, with a real person, not a program, making decisions about grades, discipline, and anything on a student’s record.”


    Endorsed by: 

    • 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)

    • 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.)

    • Mari Barke, OC Board of Education Trustee and Director at California Family Council

    • Will O’Neill, Fmr. Newport Beach Mayor and OCGOP Chairman

    • Kathy Copeland, Tustin USD Trustee who won with the endorsement and funding of anti-LGBTQ organization California Family Council in 2022 

    • Ryan Gallagher, Tustin City Council Member

    • Austin Lumbard, Tustin Mayor

    • Tim Shaw, OC Board of Education Trustee with anti-LGBTQ voting record

    • Lisa Sparks, OC Board of Education Trustee with anti-LGBTQ voting record

    • Jorge Valdes, OC Board of Education Trustee with anti-LGBTQ voting record

    • Ken Williams, OC Board of Education Trustee with anti-LGBTQ voting record

    • Lincoln Club of Orange County 

    • Orange County GOP


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • Felton has not served in an elected seat at this time. 


    Follow the Money: 

    • $1,000 from Kathy Copeland, current Tustin USD trustee with California Family Council connections

    • $250 from Ryan Gallagher, Tustin City Councilmember

    • $100 from Rhonda Shader, candidate for State Senate out of Placentia

    • $2,500 from Lisa Vandorpe, a major funder of anti-LGBTQ+ candidates in Orange County. She’s contributed $23,000 to local anti-LGBTQ+ candidates in the last 4 years

    • $5,000 from Orange County Charter Advocates for Great Public Schools PAC, a conservative PAC focused on charter school advocacy that focuses their contributions on right-wing candidates.

    • $3,500 from The Lincoln Club of Orange County State PAC, a conservative anti-LGBTQ group. 

    • $250 from Jorge Valdes, current OC Board of Education trustee with a consistently anti-LGBTQ voter record. 

    • $1,000 from Wayne Lindholm, president of the Lincoln Club of OC

    • $200 from Amy Connelly, anti-LGBTQ activist in Tustin

  • Tustin USD Area 3 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “LYNN DAVIS | Governing Board Member, Tustin Unified School District Trustee Area 3

    Education: Harvard MBA, BA Mathematics Claremont McKenna College

    As a school board member, I have successfully advocated for fundamentals – quality  phonics-based reading instruction, rigorous standards in math and science, practical support for classroom teachers and hands-on Career Technical Education that prepares students both for college and well-paying careers.

    A past corporate CFO, fiscal responsibility matters. As Board President, I’ve led bond refinancings saving local taxpayers over $48 million - dollars you won't be paying! We earned an upgraded rating from Moody’s.

    The independent website Niche.com ranks TUSD in the Top 4.2% of over 10,000 districts  nationwide. We’ve had 17 California Distinguished School awards in the past five years. The independent Education Scorecard report from Stanford placed TUSD in the Top 20% nationwide in overall student achievement, Top 10% in Academic Growth, found students learning math faster than 90% of other districts and low-income students among the fastest improving academically. Over 70% of our graduates are prepared for four-year colleges, giving them control over their futures.

    In challenging times our schools need proven leaders with vision and results. Thank you for your support over the years! Re-elect Lynn Davis to protect taxpayers, maintain safe schools and support increasing excellence in our school district.”


    Email: LynnDavisforTUSD@gmail.com 


    Campaign Website: https://lynndavisfortusd.com/ 

    His website leads with this paragraph, “Great schools aren’t created overnight. They’re built year after year through thoughtful leadership, sound financial decisions, excellent teachers and a community working together. School board stability is vital for building and improving strong neighborhood schools.”

    His website also highlights a photo he took at a Tustin USD resource fair with TUSD trustee Jonathan Abelove, Democrat Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, and TUSD trustee Jonathan Stone. 

    Priorities: (While not listed in bullet-point format, these are taken from his website)

    • Quality phonics-based reading instruction

    • Rigorous standards in math and science

    • Practical support for classroom teachers

    • Hands-on Career Technical Education that prepares students both for college and well-paying careers


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Davis is currently the incumbent for Trustee Area #3, and the TUSD board president.

    • Lynn Davis faced a recall effort in the 2021-2022 school year from area conservatives, who wanted to recall him for, as the complaint said, “the teaching of CRT – a teaching practice that promotes racial based division aroung students.” (misspelling original to the complaint). The recall effort did not make it to the ballot, as the required petition signatures were not submitted by the deadline. Source source 

    • When a Tustin-area constituent placed an item on the TUSD board meeting agenda in late 2025 to push for the exclusion of trans girls in school sports, Lynn Davis abstained from voting. He did not make any comments from the dais about the agenda item prior to his abstention vote. source

    • In 2023, another anti-LGBTQ constituent led an effort to try and push for the implementation of forced outing policies in TUSD. Davis did not comment on the trans community that would be impacted by such a policy, but did express disapproval for the negative characterization of educators by some of the supporters of the policy. source

    • Davis has been serving on the TUSD board for multiple generations of students - he was first elected in 2002. 

    • Davis also served on the board of directors for The Prentice School, an Orange County private school geared towards students with language-based learning disabilities and challenges, such as dyslexia and ADHD. Davis was on the board from 2001 to 2013.

    • Davis, along with the other members of the TUSD board, was represented in a letter from the district to the OC Grand Jury regarding AI implementation and policies in TUSD schools, wherein it was confirmed that TUSD is encouraging district teachers and faculty to implement AI. Read the full letter to the Grand Jury here for further context. Signing off on this letter and the recommendations from the Grand Jury would have been approved during a consent calendar vote in a TUSD meeting. There generally isn’t discussion on consent calendar votes.


    Social Media Links: 


    His personal facebook has a cover photo that says, “I’m with Ukraine”, with a Ukrainian flag in a heart. 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Austin Lumbard, Tustin Mayor

    • John Cleese, actor and comedian who has faced criticism from the trans community in recent years over his support for JK Rowling - although many people outside of the trans community don’t know that about Cleese.

    • Andrea Yamasaki, OUSD Trustee who has been openly supportive of the trans community

    • Latter-day Saints for Democracy

    • Progressive Mormon Teachings

    • Sikh Center of Orange County

    • Donald J. Trump

    • Unfundamentalist

    • Tustin Educators Association

    • Joe Biden (archived)

    • Ana Page, OUSD Trustee who has been openly supportive of the trans community

    • Jonathan Stone, TUSD Trustee who has been openly supportive of the trans community

    • Gavin Newsom

    • Connor Traut, Buena Park Councilmember

    • Don Wagner, Orange County Supervisor

    • Todd Spitzer, Orange County District Attorney

    • Interfaith Youth Alliance

    • GOPocalypse (“Relentlessly Resisting Republicans since 2012”)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • During the October 9, 2023 TUSD meeting, when anti-LGBTQ activists organized to push for forced outing policies to be implemented in TUSD, Davis responded with disapproval towards the public commenters who were suggesting that teachers were indoctrinating kids, that they couldn’t be trusted, or that they were groomers. He said, “...I am still stunned at the number of speakers earlier who chose to repeat big lies about teachers. My grandmother was a teacher, many of my family members are teachers, many of us have family members who are, or were, teachers. Almost everybody who is a parent knows teachers, respects teachers, knows the sacrifices that they’ve made…and for anybody to think that the way to persuade others to support a policy that you favor is to tell big lies, falsehoods, about the people who are at the core of our profession, of our organization…. It’s just stunning to me. That’s my comment.” He ended his comment there. source 

    • Davis responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire. 

      • 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.)”

    Answer: “IBM’s supercomputer Watson beat Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter on Jeopardy. IBM’s Deep Blue defeated chess world champion Garry Kasparov. But this was not the end of the story. Today, chess players who are less capable than Grand Masters yet expert users of AI systems win tournaments against both the best humans and the best computers by combining machine speed and human strategies. In the future, well-trained, hard-working TUSD graduates will regularly use AI systems to help them become winners in many endeavors.

    David Brooks has said that the winners in the age of artificial intelligence will prevail by gaining the same habits of mind and character that have led to thriving in the past, namely to value hard work, want to build their knowledge and capabilities, valuing self-restraint, self-reliance, trustworthiness, gratitude, contributing to the well-being of others and respecting the dignity and worth of all people. Modeling and teaching these habits and values will continue to serve students well.

    Artificial intelligence speeds medical therapies that save lives, and it can help kill people. Students already use it for assignments. We train young drivers to drive safely. We must and will train students in the safe use of AI.”

    • 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.)

    Answer: “The key to civil discourse is understanding that each person is worthy of our respect and of value regardless of differences of opinion or cultural differences. Another key is curiosity about the other person and what it is that leads them to think differently.

    Our students practice civil discourse every day as their teachers lead them in conversations about subjects from the book they are reading to history to science to language to mathematics. Public schools should model civil discourse for students all the time.

    Civil discourse and respect for each person also need to be modeled in each home and in other public arenas if we want our students to understand it as the norm. Welcoming all is a great first step to civil discourse.

    It is important that each child in our community knows that they are welcome at Tustin Unified schools, and that we will help them to grow and thrive, learn and succeed in becoming the adult they are meant to become – to live their best life.”


    Endorsed by:  

    • Tustin Educators Association

    • Congressman Dave Min (D)

    • Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D)

    • Tustin USD Trustee Allyson Damikolas (proven voter record of LGBTQ+ advocacy)

    • Tustin USD Trustee Jonathan Stone (proven voter record of LGBTQ+ advocacy)

    • Tustin USD Trustee Jonathan Abelove (proven voter record of LGBTQ+ advocacy)

    • Retired Tustin USD Trustee James Laird

    • Orange County Labor Federation


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record: No votes on LGBTQ+ issues or other marginalized community members to note.


    Follow the Money: 

    Contributions made by Lynn Davis: 

    • $3,500 to the 2024 Campaign for Jonathan Stone for TUSD Trustee (two separate transactions)

    • $500 to 2024 Campaign for Allyson Muniz Damikolas for TUSD Trustee

    • $100 made to the campaign for Connor Traut for OC Supervisor in 2025

  • Tustin USD Area 5 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “JONATHAN ABELOVE | Governing Board Member, Tustin Unified School District, Trustee Area 5

    As a longtime Tustin Unified Trustee, I've helped guide our students to some of the strongest  results of any school district in California: a 97% graduation rate, faster learning gains than the state average, and reading and math scores among the top 20% in the nation.

    I'm leading our expanding workforce and career pathways so every graduate leaves ready for what's next. I also worked with my colleagues to save taxpayers over $48 million through smart bond restructuring, and championed districtwide modernization, ensuring Tustin Unified schools benefit from upgraded classrooms, new facilities, and enhanced safety and security features.

    I believe strong schools are built through partnership, which is why my service to Tustin doesn't stop at the dais. I serve as President of Tustin Scholarships and Executive Vice President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tustin, working alongside educators, staff, and families every day.

    It's also why I'm proud to carry the sole endorsement of the Tustin Educators Association,  representing our classroom teachers, along with support from local leaders like Congressman Dave Min, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, former Tustin Mayor Letitia Clark, and dozens more.

    I'm running for re-election to keep this momentum going for every Tustin Unified student, and I look forward to earning your vote on or before November 3, 2026.

    Learn more at www.Abelovefortusd.com.”


    Email: abelovetusd@gmail.com


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

    Jonathan’s website leads with his slogan, “Fighting for a better TOMORROW. Join our campaign for the future of Tustin families!”

    Priorities: 

    • Not listed on his campaign website


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Jonathan attended a summer 2026 OC fundraiser held to support the Christopher Street Project, the nation’s only trans rights PAC that works to build a more trans-friendly Congress. 

    • Jonathan is on the Board of Directors for the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts. source

    • Jonathan is the President of the Board of Directors for Tustin Scholarships. Source

    • Abelove is the longest serving member of the Tustin USD Board, having first been elected in 1994. 

    • He is an alum of both Penn State University (BS, Industrial and Organizational Psychology) and John Hopkins University (MS, Coursework Administrative Science).

    • He is on the Chief’s Advisory Board with the Tustin Police Department, and is a member of both the local rotary club and the League of Women Voters.  

    • Abelove, along with the other members of the TUSD board, was represented in a letter from the district to the OC Grand Jury regarding AI implementation and policies in TUSD schools, wherein it was confirmed that TUSD is encouraging district teachers and faculty to implement AI. Read the full letter to the Grand Jury here for further context. Signing off on this letter and the recommendations from the Grand Jury would have been approved during a consent calendar vote in a TUSD meeting. There generally isn’t discussion on consent calendar votes.


    Social Media Links: 

    Abelove posted on his campaign Instagram on September 17th, “Laurie and I are so excited to attend Heritage Night. Last year we enjoyed eating our way around the world and learning about the countries they originated from. This year an anonymous school source said it will be bigger and better than last year. If you’re coming, come hungry!” Countries represented: Australia, Mexico, China, Thailand, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, Israel, Germany, Poland, England, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Yemen and Multi-cultural table.


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments: 

    • Jonathan responded to the OC Register’s 2026 candidate questionnaire. 

      • 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.)

    Answer: “AI is a tool, and like any tool, it’s safe when it supports learning and a problem when it replaces it. It has real value in helping teachers personalize instruction, catch a student who’s falling behind before a test shows it, and cut down on administrative work that pulls teachers away from students. That’s where I’d expand it. Where I’d limit it is anywhere it substitutes for a student actually doing the thinking and writing themselves, especially in early literacy and math, where struggling through a problem is the point.

    It also needs real boundaries around student data privacy. This isn’t something that should be decided classroom by classroom. The board needs a clear policy that gives teachers guardrails and gives parents confidence that we know exactly how it’s being used with their kids.”

    • 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.)

    Answer: “I’ve been a father and a board member for over 30 years now, and both roles taught me the same lesson: Kids learn how to disagree by watching how the adults around them handle it. Civil discourse is healthy, and I want our students engaging with hard topics, not avoiding them. But healthy discourse depends on students being able to tell the difference between fact and opinion, and between a credible source and noise. That’s a skill we have to teach directly, not assume kids will pick up on their own. I’d like to see our district build that into how we teach media literacy and critical thinking from an early age, so students are equipped to evaluate what they’re hearing before they form an opinion on it.

    And the board has a responsibility to model it ourselves. When our own meetings and our own disagreements with other elected bodies stay grounded in facts and mutual respect, we’re teaching a lesson too. That’s the kind of steady, experienced leadership this board needs: People who’ve been in the room long enough to know the difference between a real debate and a manufactured one.”


    Endorsed by: 

    • Dave Min (United States Congressman (CA-45))

    • Cottie Petrie-Norris (California State Assemblymember)

    • ORANGE COUNTY LABOR FEDERATION

    • Vicente Sarmiento (Orange County Supervisor)

    • Dr. Letitia Clark (Tustin Mayor & Councilmember (Fmr.))

    • Melinda Liu (Irvine City Councilmember)

    • Lee Fink (Tustin City Councilmember)

    • Barry W. Cooper (Tustin Mayor, Pro Tem (Fmr.))

    • Allyson Damikolas (Tustin Unified School Board Member)

    • Lynn Davis (Tustin Unified School Board Member)

    • Jonathan Stone (Tustin Unified School Board Member)

    • TyRon Jackson, Founder and CEO, Operation Warm Wishes*

    • Soledad Rivera, Tustin Community Leader, and Community Relations Director, Cal Optima Health*

    • Kristin Simpkins, Former President and Dino Dash Chairperson, Tustin Public Schools Foundation (TPSF)*

    *Titles for Identification Purposes Only


    Candidate in the News: 

    Public Voting Record: No votes on LGBTQ+ issues or other marginalized community members to note.


    Follow the Money: 

    • No contributions for his 2026 Campaign yet publicly available

  • Tustin USD Area 5 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:


    “ZIGGY MCBRIDE | Educator/Librarian/Parent

    I am running for the Tustin Unified School District Board of Education because every decision should begin with one question:

    What is best for students?

    For more than seven years I have served TUSD as a Library Media Technician and Literacy Specialist, helping students develop a love of reading, strengthen critical thinking, and build confidence. By modernizing library programs, leading family literacy initiatives, and supporting parents, I have seen firsthand how strong public schools change lives.

    My experience also includes securing grants, managing budgets, coordinating volunteers, directing youth camps, and building community partnerships. These roles have prepared me to make thoughtful, responsible decisions that support students, educators, and families.

    As a Board member I will keep students at the center of every decision, support our teachers and staff, promote academic excellence and be responsible with fiscal stewardship. I will work

    to strengthen parent partnerships, and ensure transparency, open communication, safe schools, and balanced technology use.

    Tustin Unified is exceptional because of its outstanding students, dedicated educators, and engaged families. I would be honored to help our district continue to thrive for generations to come.

    Learn more at www.ziggyforschoolboard.com”


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: https://ziggyforschoolboard.com/

    Ziggy’s website places transphobic dog whistles front and center in the section on “Fairness in Girls’ Sports”, saying, “...I will work to ensure athletic opportunities are protected for all students — preserving the integrity of both boys' and girls' sports in Tustin Unified schools.”

    Priorities: 

    • Fairness in Girls’ Sports

    • School choice for families

    • School Safety


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Ziggy was named Classified Employee of the year in 2018 for Beswick Elementary School in TUSD. There were 25 other honorees across the district that year. source

    • Her campaign website says that she was “named Tustin Unified's 2026 Classified Employee of the Year”. She was among 30 honorees to be given that title across the district. source

    • McBride is an Elementary Library Media Technician within TUSD. In California, this role requires a K-12 teaching credential, as well as a Teacher Librarian Services Credential. It does not require a specific Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS), as a full, professional Librarian needs. A K-12 teaching credential in California is separate from a bachelor’s degree. The minimum education requirement to be a LMT in Tustin USD is a high school diploma or equivalent. We were not able to find McBride’s Linkedin or any other information about her educational background, and so have been unable to verify what her highest level of education is. 

    • Ziggy has homeschooled her own two children. 

    • Ziggy is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ in Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, a Mormon congregation, where she was thanked on their social media for her involvement in youth programming over the last 15 years. She mentions in her candidate questionnaire that she co-directs “Hero Camp”, a summer camp serving more than 100 children - that camp is the faith-based youth programming for that church. We are not sharing the source for this social media post, as the faces of minors are visible in that content. 


    Social Media Links: 

    Ziggy posted on September 25th on her campaign instagram, stating “Jonathan Abelove voted YES on the policy that lets boys compete in girls’ sports. 5-0. No discussion”. FACT CHECK: California state law dictates that transgender students are legally allowed to access school sports that align with their gender, and school boards do not have the legal ability to challenge state law. This is not Abelove’s policy, it’s the state’s. It is factually inaccurate to suggest that a discussion or a vote would have changed the state law that protects fair and inclusive access to school sports for all students. 

    Ziggy made an instagram post on August 6th on her campaign instagram stating, “Championing Parents’ Rights… I will champion your right to choose the learning environment that fits your family’s needs and values.” Madison Miner, chair of the Orange County Moms For Liberty chapter, commented, “Yes Ziggy!”, a comment that Ziggy liked. 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • TUSD candidate Kelly Felton (private instagram)

    • TUSD candidate Kelly Felton (campaign instagram)

    • Mari Barke, Orange County Board of Education Trustee and Director of CLEO at California Policy Center (CPC), a political organization hostile to the LGBTQ+ community

    *Her accounts are mostly private, limiting our ability to determine who she follows.


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Ziggy answered the OC Register’s Candidate Questionnaire. 

      • 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.)”

    Answer: “I believe artificial intelligence can be a valuable educational tool when it is used thoughtfully, safely, and with clear boundaries. AI should enhance learning, not replace the teacher or the critical thinking students need to develop.

    I would not support making AI a regular part of classroom instruction before high school. Elementary and middle school students need to build strong foundations in reading, writing, research, problem-solving, creativity, and interpersonal skills. Those skills require practice, productive struggle, and human connection. Students should learn how to think before relying on technology to help them think.

    In high school, I would support expanding AI in age-appropriate ways that prepare students for college, careers, and a world where AI will be part of their future. This should be guided by teachers who have received meaningful professional development in AI and understand both its opportunities and limitations. Used well, AI can support research, creativity, personalized learning, and problem-solving while teaching students to evaluate information and use these tools responsibly.

    At every level, we need safeguards around student privacy, accuracy, and academic integrity. TUSD should embrace innovation when it truly benefits students, while ensuring technology never comes at the expense of foundational learning or meaningful relationships with teachers.”

    • 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.)”

    Answer: “I believe civil discourse is an important skill that students should learn and practice throughout their education. Schools can create opportunities for students to share ideas, ask thoughtful questions, listen to different perspectives, and respectfully disagree. Learning how to have productive conversations is just as important as learning what to think about.

    As a longtime TUSD employee, parent, and PTA leader, I have seen the value of bringing people together, listening first, and finding common ground. I believe our schools should model those same principles for students.

    I would like to see TUSD intentionally incorporate civil discourse into classrooms through age-appropriate discussions, literature, collaborative projects, and opportunities to explore multiple perspectives. Teachers should have the support and resources they need to facilitate these conversations in a way that encourages curiosity rather than division.

    Most importantly, we should create a school culture where students feel safe expressing their ideas while understanding that respect is required when engaging with others. Our goal should be to graduate students who can think critically, communicate thoughtfully, and participate constructively in their communities even when they encounter ideas with which they disagree.”


    Endorsed by: 

    • 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)

    • 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.)

    • Tim Shaw, Orange County Board of Education Trustee

    • Lisa Sparks, Orange County Board of Education Trustee

    • Jorge Valdes, Orange County Board of Education Trustee

    • Ken Williams, Orange County Board of Education Trustee

    • Lincoln Club of OC

    • Lisa Davis, Capo USD Trustee who is openly transphobic

    • Lisa Zollinger, Capo USD Trustee who is openly transphobic

    • Republican Party of Orange County

    • Mari Barke, Orange County Board of Education Trustee and Director of CLEO at California Policy Center (CPC), a political organization hostile to the LGBTQ+ community

    • Kathy Copeland, Tustin Unified School District Trustee and CPC funded elected official

    • Ryan Gallagher, Tustin City Council Member

    • Austin Lumbard, Tustin Mayor

    • John Nielsen, Tustin City Council Member

    • Will O’Neill, OC GOP Chairman

    • Ray Schnell, Tustin City Council Member


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • McBride has not held elected office before, so none found.


    Follow the Money: 

    • $1,000 from Kathy Copeland, current Tustin USD trustee with California Family Council connections

    • $100 from Sheryl L. Franke, president of the Tustin Area Republican Women Federated (TARWF)

    • $250 from Ryan Gallagher, Tustin City Councilmember

    • $5,000 from Orange County Charter Advocates for Great Public Schools PAC, a conservative PAC focused on charter school advocacy that focuses their contributions on right-wing candidates.

    • $2,500 from Lisa Vandorpe, a major funder of anti-LGBTQ+ candidates in Orange County. She’s contributed $23,000 to local anti-LGBTQ+ candidates in the last 4 years

    • $200 from Sandra Rittmanic, of Provo, Utah

    • $250 from Fredric Kern, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 

    • $250 from Jorge Valdes, OC Board of Education Trustee

    • $2,000 from Corrine Haynie of Provo, Utah. Haynie is McBride’s maiden name, so likely family.

    • $3,500 from The Lincoln Club of Orange County State PAC, a conservative anti-LGBTQ group.

Santa Ana Unified School District

  • Santa Ana USD Area 4 Trustee Candidate, Incumbent, 4 year term

    Challenger is Sylvia Iglesias


    Candidate Statement:

    “KATELYN BRAZER ACEVES | Governing Board Member, Santa Ana Unified School

    District, Trustee Area 4

    As President of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education and a school employee with the Orange County Department of Education who works directly with students and parents every day, I've applied my experience as an educator and proven leadership to help improve our schools. Additionally, I am the candidate officially endorsed by the Santa Ana Educators’ Association (SAEA) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Santa Ana Chapter 41.

    During my first term, SAUSD achieved academic gains across every California School Dashboard indicator for the first time.

    Together, we placed reading coaches at every elementary school, strengthened support for English Learners through new courses and targeted interventions, and increased college and career readiness by creating new internship opportunities in high-demand fields.

    I led the creation of our districtwide Immigration Support Plan to help students safely attend school and families access resources, created two Student Board Member positions, and established the SAUSD Community Budget Advisory Committee to strengthen fiscal

    transparency.

    Through building no-cost community partnerships, I've increased resources to students and families without relying on district general funds. This allows more money to be invested in classroom instruction where it matters most.

    Under my leadership, voters overwhelmingly approved the largest K–12 school bond in Orange County in 2024, securing over $355 million to modernize aging schools and provide safe, high-quality learning environments for every student.

    katelynbrazer.com”


    Email: katelynbrazer@gmail.com


    Campaign Website: https://katelynbrazer.com/

    Her campaign website leads with the words, “I’m running for re-election to keep building schools where every child is supported, every family belongs, and every student can succeed.”

    Priorities:

    • Improving Academic Achievement

    • Securing New Partnerships & Resources for Our Schools

    • Elevating Student and Parent & Expanding Resources for Families

    • Strengthening Fiscal Transparency

    • Modernizing Our Schools


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Aceves is the incumbent in this seat. 

    • She is a Community Resource Specialist with the Orange County Department of Education, along with her role as a Trustee. source 

    • First-generation college grad with a Master’s Degree

    • In 2025, Aceves voted with her fellow trustees on the board to censure Trustee Brenda Lebsack after Lebsack made repeated transphobic statements from the dais. source

    • Katelyn was the guest on the first episode of a new podcast and video series from Orange County Business Council and the Orange County Department of Education. In it, Brazer-Aceves discusses how the importance of school can look different in every household and shares examples of how family workshops and parent outreach can help remove barriers to engagement. She also describes how stronger connections between families and schools can contribute to increased student success. source

    • According to a FB post dated Aug 1, 2026, she held a fundraiser on Aug 2, 2026 at Ra Yoga with Tracy La, President of VietRise and GGUSD candidate. VietRise is a progressive group active in Orange County’s Vietnamese community.


    Social Media Links: 




    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: ocworkingfamiliesparty, arlis4costamesa (Arlis Reynolds), sandraforsantaana (Sandra de Anda - Pres. of OCRRN), dgarciaofficial (Davis Garcia from OCYD), farrahforOC (Farrah N Khan), tracyla.oc (Tracy La), thaivphan (Councilmember Thai Viet Phan), carlosiperea (Leader of Harbor Institute), officialmuneton (Walter Muneton, GGUSD Boardmember), oc_dems_and_progressives, santaanaclimateresilience, oc_justicefund, chispa.oc, liberalmomsofnorthorangecounty, ocdsa


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • During a school board meeting in May 2025, Aceves and her colleagues criticized the transphobic statements made by fellow trustee Brenda Lebsack. In voting to censure Lebsack, Aceves said, “I support this resolution because it reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful environment for all students. Words matter, especially when they come from individuals in positions of public trust.” source

    • In response to the many legitimate fears brought forward by mixed-status immigrant families as attacks by ICE on the community increased beginning in summer 2025, Katelyn supported streamlining access for impacted students to attend the Virtual Academy that was set up during the COVID pandemic. “We are making it very clear that we are to limit any barriers, and we're being extremely flexible as far as age and grade level to meet the needs, if there is a concern around immigration at this time (...) We tasked our superintendent at the time to create our immigrant support plan, and within that to create policies to respond to ICE activity”. Source

    • The LA Times reported on an SAUSD meeting where mass layoffs were announced by the board due to budget constraints. The article reported; ‘Trustee Katelyn Brazer Aceves choked up with emotion during her prepared remarks on the layoffs. “It is my ethical obligation to ensure that we maintain a positive budget,” she said, fighting back tears, “so that we can continue to provide a full, robust and competitive scope of services to our students as well as pay our employees on time.”’ source

    • She responded to the Orange County Register’s Candidate Questionnaire during her 2022 race. 

      • Question: A lot of attention has been on banned book lists (fake and real) popping up around the country. Should the school board have a role in regulating or “banning” books? Should it encourage reading a variety of topics?

      • Answer: “As a board member, I would encourage all students to read a plethora of books to expand their literary exposure. I would encourage the district to continue expanding access to books that are culturally diverse and reflect the experiences and history of our students and community.” source


    Endorsed by:

    • Vicente Sarmiento, Orange County 2nd District Supervisor

    • CSEA, AFL-CIO (Union for Classified School District Employees)

    • Angie Gomez, SAUSD Parent & Alumna

    • Hector Bustos, SAUSD VP, first openly LGBTQ+ school board trustee in Orange County

    • Alfonso Alvarez, SAUSD Clerk

    • Valerie Magdaleno, SAUSD Trustee

    • Carolyn Torres, Former SAUSD President

    • Rigo Rodriguez, Former SAUSD President

    • Benjamin Vazquez, Santa Ana City Councilmember, DSA slate candidate

    • Jessie Lopez, Santa Ana City Councilmember

    • Jonathan Ryan Hernandez, Santa Ana City Councilmember

    • Thai Viet Phan, Santa Ana City Councilmember

    • Jessica Guerrero, AUHSD President

    • Juan Alvarez, AESD President

    • Dr. Jose Moreno, Former AESD Trustee and Anaheim City Councilmember

    • Click Here for More Endorsements


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • Candidate has consistently voted in support of LGBTQ+ issues whenever they come up on the agenda

    • Candidate has consistently voted in support of support for immigrant and mixed status families in SAUSD whenever they come up on the agenda

    • Candidate voted in support of layoffs due to budgetary constraints


    Follow the Money:  Katelyn Brazer Aceves for School Board 2026

    • $550 to Jessie Lopez for Assembly 2026

    • $500 from Unite Here Local 11

    • $2500 from Laborers International Union of North America

    • $244.47 (YTD) from Charis Galeas, Program Director, Latino Health Access

    • $460 (YTD) from Kerith Dilley, Fundraiser, AltaMed

    • $473.55 (YTD) from Hadela Sanchez, Adjuster, Sedgwick

    • $500 from Sabroso Mexican Kitchen!

    • $250 personally donated to Tracy La for GGUSD, Area 4 2026

    • 05/17/26, $530 from Sabroso Mexican Kitchen! (In form of Comped and discounted food for fundraiser)

    • 05/17/26, ($717.75) paid to Sabroso Mexican Kitchen! for Restaurant Fundraiser Costs (Food)

    • 03/10/26, $250 from Jennifer Brazer

    • 03/05/26, $1000 from Dr. Rigo Rodriguez for Santa Ana Unified School District 2028

    • 03/04/26, $106.25 from Sergio Contreras

    • 02/26/26, $130 from Cito Coffee F460C (Coffee Donation)

    • 02/26/26, $600 from Vicente Sarmiento

    • 02/26/26, $212.20 from Sarah Grabarsky

    • 02/26/26, $250 from Hector Bustos

    • 02/26/26, $500 from Peter Gutierrez

    • 02/26/26, $106.25 from Diana Tercero

    • 02/26/26, $159.23 from David Allen

    • 02/25/26, $140 from Angie Gomez

    • 02/25/26, $106.25 from Monica Leyva

    • 02/22/26, $159.23 from Daisy Rueda

    • 02/21/26, $106.25 from Stephanie Fuentes

    • 02/21/26, $530.05 from Janelle McLoughlin

    • 02/20/26, $1000 from Dr. Rigo Rodriguez for Santa Ana Unified School District 2028 

    • 02/16/26, $150 from Valerie Magdaleno

    • 02/09/26, $159.23 from Jessica Hernandez

    • 02/02/26, $265.18 from Kristin Erickson

    • 01/22/26, $500 Loan from Candidate

  • Santa Ana USD Area 4 Trustee Candidate, 4 year term

    Note from Kanan to M: Sylvia is connected to Brenda Lebsack (@FreeThinker Q: I added a paragraph in Other Interesting Info linking them via La Unión de Padres)


    Candidate Statement:

    “SYLVIA IGLESIAS | Parent/Teacher/Educator

    I’m an Elementary Public School Teacher and Parent. Homegrown Leader, lived in Santa Ana since 1979 having immigrated from El Salvador; resided in Trustee Area-4 since 1990. My children and I are products of Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD). I proudly graduated from Santa Ana Valley High School, Santa Ana College and California State University-Fullerton.

    With over 30 years of public service from Orange County Social Services Agency, gained experience reviewing budget, policy making, trained staff and connected residents to services.

    As a first-generation college graduate, Parent and Teacher, I believe education is important to our families and is society’s great equalizer. I will Always:

    • Put Students First

    • Ensure All Students are prepared for College or Workforce

    • Spend money directly in classrooms, benefiting Students-Not

    • Bureaucrats. Ensure Accountability and Transparency.

    • Provide Safe and Strong Schools

    • Defend Tax-payer dollars and Not increase Your Taxes

    • Champion Parents' Rights and support Educational Options

    • Increase College Dual-Enrollment

    • Support great teachers/staff; ensure they have resources/tools to support students.

    Please join Parents, Community/Faith-Based Leaders, Teachers, Law Enforcement Officers and Students to elect Sylvia Iglesias for SAUSD Trustee Area-4.

    With your vote, together, we Will Put Students First, build strong future leaders and make SAUSD Great.

    Visit www.iglesias4sausd.com or iglesias4education@gmail.com”


    Email: iglesias4education@gmail.com


    Campaign Website: https://iglesias4sausd.com/


    Priorities: 

    • Champion Parents’ Rights

    • Support Educational Options

    • Ensure Academic Success for ALL Students


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Secretary of La La Unión de Padres, the Spanish-language organization tied to California Policy Center’s Parents’ Union. This is an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group. Source Source source source

    • Sylvia has been connected to SAUSD Trustee Brenda Lebsack since at least 2024, through their mutual involvement in La Union de Padres/ Parents Union and the California Policy Center. Lebsack is an anti-trans activist and Heritage Foundation speaker. Read more about Lebsack here. Source source

    • Sylvia ran unsuccessfully for this seat in 2022.

    • Teacher at Vista Public Charter School

    • Iglesias’ campaign website critiques the math and reading scores of SAUSD with number back to 2015, but doesn’t provide any solutions. Reading levels have improved, to about the same or better than 2019 levels, and Math levels have slightly improved as well. Check here to consider factors such as 91.5% of SAUSD are economically disadvantaged, 38.4% are English learners, 19.1% experience homelessness, and 16.9% of students have a disability. These issues are not addressed on her website.

    • Looks to be related to Cecilia “Ceci” Iglesias, the former SAUSD Trustee and Santa Ana City Councilmember and now sits on the Rancho Santiago Community College Board. Cecilia reposts every one of Sylvia’s posts and appears in pictures with her. Cecilia Iglesias is also the founder of California Policy Center’s Parents Union and La Union de Padres, explicitly anti-LGBTQ groups.


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • New Santa Ana (far-right ‘news’ in Santa Ana)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Sylvia interviewed with Gustavo Vargas on his ‘VOZ News’ channel in a video titled, “PARENTS: IF YOU DON'T DEFEND YOUR CHILDREN, PUBLIC SCHOOL WILL DESTROY THEM”. In the first 10 minutes, Vargas talks about “Parents’ Rights” and the dangers of sending their child to public schools in fear of them being indoctrinated. The host, Gustavo Vargas, claims that “The Left” wants as many students as possible to not be able to read, do math, or think so that they will be “sheep” and easy to indoctrinate their minds to become activists and/ or confuse them about their sexuality and/ or gender identity and/or expression. At 1:47 into the video, a picture of a teacher holding a rainbow flag in front of an elementary grade classroom of students. Sylvia repeatedly affirms to Vargas that she agrees with him, and she goes on to say, “...many parents realized during the time of the lockdown when COVID happened, right? They realized what they were teaching our children and many of them were proactive in taking the kids out, and they are homeschooling or they put them in private schools, all those who can, right? …. And with that (tax money the schools) get, we as parents should demand our rights, and have them teach what they need to teach, which is the good stuff.” 

    • Further on in the interview, Gustavo launched into a 3-minute long tirade advocating for book bans, referencing “pornography” in public schools, and discussing the book All Boys Aren’t Blue, young adult memoir-manifesto written by Black nonbinary author and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson, published on April 28, 2020. Gustavo encouraged parents to ask for information about curriculum and library books (which parents already have the ability to do) and ask about ‘pornography’, advising them to check out a book banning website, before saying, “And remember, you can do what is called an opt-out. You can decide that your children do not receive this type of information. Find out when they are going to give them all this information about genders and gender fluid, and ‘you can be whatever you want’, as I already showed you they are doing in California public schools”. At this point the camera cuts to Sylvia, who is nodding along in agreement. He asks her, “what do we do with all this pornography in public schools?” She responds, “Yes, as you say, Gustavo, it is very necessary and important that parents and grandparents, or aunts and uncles, that they see, that they go to that website that you mentioned and see in their district how many books are being provided in the library and in our schools for our children. Because what’s happening is that the schools, especially here in Santa Ana, that Santa Ana District, they say, well, nobody is complaining. We have three people who complained, and it turns out those three people who complained were teachers, and they say, well, the parents aren’t saying anything, and that’s their, as they say, their easy way out, and so they keep teaching this to our kids. And it’s very sad, because, let’s say a little kid, a little 5-year old, what business do they have reading these books? And there’s this book called, “You Are So Gay”. They ask the kids to read it, and they make it very colorful, like a cartoon, with pink girls on swings and everything.”

      • FACT CHECK: At least one of the three teachers she mentions here is the aforementioned Brenda Lebsack, who was previously a PE teacher in SAUSD and has repeatedly put out calls to action to the church her husband is a pastor at in LA County for congregants to come to SAUSD school board meetings and complain about the books because parents within the district aren’t doing it. 

      • FACT CHECK: The book “All Boys Aren’t Blue”, written by nonbinary author and Black activist George M. Johnson that Gustavo referenced is only available in the high school libraries in SAUSD, where no five year old would ever be able to access it. 

      • FACT CHECK: There is no widely known book called “You Are So Gay”. We assume Sylvia is referring to the book, “This Book Is Gay”, which is a popular target for the book-banning advocates across Southern California. THAT book is recommended for grades 7-12, not a part of any SAUSD curriculum, and is not available in elementary school classrooms where a five year old would be able to access it, either. 

      • FACT CHECK: The kids are not asked to read these books. They are colorful like most books are. Books are not snakes, being colorful is not a trap for prey. 


    Endorsed by: 

    • Brenda Lebsack (SAUSD Trustee, anti-trans activist, Heritage Foundation Speaker)

    • Fmr. State Senator Gloria Romero (Ran for Lt. Governor in June on an anti-LGBTQ platform)

    • Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (Republican, founder of far-right organization Reform CA)

    • Hon. Sal Tinajero (President Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee-Ret.)

    • Hon. Phil Yarbrough, President Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee

    • Hon. Daisy Tong, Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee

    • Hon. Jorge Valdes, Orange County Board of Education

    • Community Leader, Tim Rush former President Wilshire Square NA

    • Community Leader, Robin Nordell

    • Jon Paul White via his FB group Operation FIGHT BACK “This project has been created to assist Conservatives and Patriots retake our CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS.” 

    • Craig Huey

    • 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)


    Candidate in the News:

    • “Sylvia Iglesias, Santa Ana Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire” The Orange County Register, Oct 5, 2026 (The candidate posted the questions and her answers on her campaign FB account on Oct 5, 2026)

    Public Voting Record: None Found


    Follow the Money: Iglesias for SAUSD Trustee 2026

    • $4000 loan from candidate on 10/01/26

    • $1000 from Charter Public Schools PAC

    • $2000 from Orange County Charter Advocates for Great Public Schools Committee

    • $2000 from Orange County Advocates for Great Public Schools, sponsored by California Charter Schools Association Advocates

    • $500 loan from candidate on 09/19/26

    • $2500 from Salvador Tinajero

    • $600 loan from candidate on 08/19/26

    • 06/10/26, $800 from Sylvia Iglesias

    • 05/12/26, $800 from Sylvia Iglesias

    • 04/30/26, $1000 from Sylvia Iglesias

    • $300 each to appear on five different Slate Cards: Save Prop 13, California Public Safety Voter Guide, California Tax Reduction Committee, Taxifornia Tax Fighters’ Newsletter, and Woman’s Voice

    • Paid differing amounts to some campaign consultants, including $330 (see page 11 of form) to Jon Paul White, who is calling for the banning of Muslims from serving in public office again and calls elected officials belonging to the Democratic Party communists.

  • Santa Ana USD Area 5 Trustee Candidate, Incumbent, 4 year term

    Challenger is Alejandra Rodriguez


    Candidate Statement:

    “HECTOR BUSTOS | Governing Board Member, Santa Ana Unified School

    District, Trustee Area 5

    As a proud product of the Santa Ana Unified School District, serving on the School Board has been the honor of my life. When I was elected four years ago, I was a recent college graduate who ran for office because I believed our schools deserved student-centered leadership.

    As School Board President, we delivered the district's strongest academic gains in over a decade, protected essential student services despite severe underfunding, strengthened college and career programs that prepare our students for the future, and partnered with UC Irvine to create a model elementary school that brings the latest research into the classroom. 

    I'm proud to be the candidate in this race endorsed by the Santa Ana Educators Association and the California School Employees Association. These associations represent thousands of employees, including our teachers, counselors, cafeteria workers, special education professionals, and campus safety officers. Their support reflects the trust we've built and my commitment to the workers who serve our students daily.

    Parents have always played a critical role in the decisions I make. Santa Ana families support my re-election because we've made responsible use of their taxpayer dollars by creating safer schools, expanding mental health support for students, and modernizing aging school facilities.

    With your support, we’ll continue building the high-performing schools our students deserve. 

    www.hectorbustos4sausd.com


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: http://www.hectorbustos4sausd.com

    Priorities: Hector’s priorities are listed with the title, “Hector’s R.E.A.L. Student Success Agenda”. 

    • R - Resources for Student Mental Health

    • E - Expanding Career and Technical Education

    • A - Accountable and Responsible Budgeting

    • L - Literacy and Learning Recovery

    His website also has a page for his accomplishments, listing the following; 

    • Academic Achievement and Student Success

    • Investing in Schools and Innovation mental health and student support

    • Standing up for Immigrant families college, career, and workforce readiness

    • Student voice and well-being


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Hector is openly gay, and is the first openly gay school board trustee to be elected in Orange County. He’s also the first openly LGBTQ+ individual to be elected to any office in Santa Ana, starting from when he was elected in 2022 at 23 years old. 

    • Bustos’ high school alma mater is Segerstrom High School, after which he graduated with his Bachelors in Political Science and Government from the University of San Francisco in 2021. Source

    • Prior to his time on the council, Hector was a board member of the Orange County Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Source Additionally, he also served as a Congressional Intern in late 2020 with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington D.C. source   

    • Hector’s campaign held a major fundraiser event at the LGBTQ+ bar in Santa Ana, Queen’s Lounge, on June 25th. source

    • In 2025, as Board President, Bustos signed an agreement to settle a case brought by an actively Zionist law firm over three ethnic studies courses that did not adhere to Zionist perspectives of the history of the Palestinian region and the current crisis, as well as concerns about the lack of community engagement over the creation of the courses. The SAUSD district superintendent at the time, Jerry Almendarez, made a statement regarding the settlement his office produced for the board; “At no time has the district supported the teaching of instructional content to students that reflects adversely on any group on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, or national origin as alleged in the lawsuit.” The settlement, which did not constitute a judicial determination of the allegations, suspended the courses until they could be redesigned through a public process and required multiple perspectives when controversial subjects are taught. The law firm, The Brandeis Center, is one of a handful of law firms that have targeted school districts across the state over their curriculum. source 

    • In a 2021 editorial piece for The Voice of OC, Bustos criticized the Orange County Board of Supervisors for prioritizing financial reserves over services for residents struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that the county’s failure to distribute available federal relief funding rapidly and equitably placed an unnecessary burden on low-income families, immigrants, and communities of color. Bustos called for greater investment in rental assistance, food security, health services, and other community programs, contending that government budgets should place residents’ immediate needs ahead of accumulating reserves. Source

    • In a major 2025 controversy, SAUSD was hit by some major layoffs amid a budget and enrollment crisis. The SAUSD Board approved 262 layoffs as the district confronted declining enrollment and a substantial budget deficit. Hector Bustos explained that enrollment had fallen from more than 50,000 students to approximately 34,000 and said the district had to adjust to this financial reality. He also criticized Trustee Brenda Lebsack’s opposition to the layoffs, arguing that her vote should not be interpreted as support for educators because of her opposition to unions, alignment with charter-school interests, and record of criticizing the district’s transgender-inclusive policies. source


    Social Media Links: 

    Bustos’ social media is full of posts uplifting the queer community, immigrant communities, and other marginalized people in the district. Find some examples here: May 22, 2026. March 12, 2025. December 7, 2024. November 7, 2024. October 20, 2024. June 4, 2024.  June 1, 2024. May 31, 2024. 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Alan Vargas (Immigration Activist)

    • Isuri S Ramos (Santa Ana City Councilmember, Ward 6)

    • Ada Breciño (Co President UNITE HERE Labor Union)

    • Benjamin Vazquez (Santa Ana City Councilmember, Ward 2)

    • Jessie Lopez (Santa Ana City Councilmember, Ward 3)

    • Valerie Magdaleno (SAUSD Board Trustee, Area 3)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Bustos spoke at an October 2025 Santa Ana City Council meeting; “My name is Hector Bustos, and I proudly serve as the President of the Board of Education at Santa Ana Unified. Tonight, I’m speaking not only on behalf of myself, but on behalf of the thousands of students and families who call Santa Ana home - the same families who you represent, the same families who are now living in fear because of a recent surge of violent federal immigration enforcement in our community here in Santa Ana. We’ve heard the stories from our schools, children who are afraid to walk to school, parents who are scared to leave for work, families unsure if they’ll have a place to live next month because a parent who was the sole breadwinner of the family has been detained… These are not distant issues. These are the stories, the realities that our students are bringing into the classroom every single morning. At SAUSD, we have done our part and everything in our power to ensure that our schools remain safe havens for our students and community. We have clear district-wide protocols to prevent immigration enforcement from entering our campuses without proper legal documentation. We have trained our front office staff and educators on how to respond to immigration enforcement actions and how to protect the rights of the students and their families. We have reached over 10,000 community members through Know Your Rights workshops that we’ve done in collaboration with organizations like the Orange County Justice Fund and the Orange County Rapid Response Network. We’re partnering with local organizations to host food drives, and personally deliver groceries to families in need. We continue to offer virtual options for our students who may need to remain home due to fear or family hardship. We’re providing a multi-tiered system of support for the mental health needs of our students. And so in short - we’re doing our part as a school district. We’re working every day to shield our students from the fear and instability caused by this enforcement - but as much as we’re doing, we can’t do it alone. As you heard from our superintendent’s presentation earlier today, we’re deeply committed to providing high quality instruction and safe learning environments for our students, but we can’t expect our students to perform well academically when their parents are being torn away from them. And that’s why I’m here to urge you to expand funding for the Ayuda Sin Fronteras financial assistance program. Through this program, the city has already provided critical support to SAUSD families facing detention, job loss, and housing insecurity. Within our district alone, 67 applications were submitted, 49 were funded or withdrawn by the family themselves, and 18 went unfunded simply because the resources ran out. We still have 22 more families that we’ve identified that didn’t even get to apply because these funds have been exhausted - so, we ask you, and, and we beg, that you please expand the funds, that you provide more for our families that are in need, so that we can continue to support our children here in Santa Ana. Thank you.” source 

    • When he voted for the censure of fellow SAUSD trustee Brenda Lebsack for repeatedly saying transphobic things from the dais, Bustos said, “It is well established that school boards have the inherent authority to control the decorum in order of their meetings and to uphold the integrity of board accepted governance and personnel policies. It is also well settled that school boards retain the right to dissociate themselves from the remarks of an individual board member, school boards are entitled to deplore the mechanism of censure to accomplish these ends”. source 

    • During a February 2024 SAUSD school board meeting in which the board voted to fly the Pride Flag from district buildings during June, Hector said, “We can’t just celebrate our LGBTQ+ community during the month of June. We need to do more.” This is a reference to his efforts to ensure comprehensive policies creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students in the district, such as the guidance provided to staff on how to support transgender and gender-non-conforming students. source 


    Endorsed by: (This is a partial list. Find his full list here)

    • LGBTQ Victory Fund (A national organization focused on supporting openly LGBTQ candidates for office)

    • Santa Ana Educators Association

    • CSEA, AFL-CIO (Union for Classified School District Employees)

    • CA Working Families Party

    • Orange County Democratic Party

    • Orange County Labor Federation

    • LA/OC Building Trades

    • LiUNA! Local 652

    • Orange County Young Democrats

    • Planned Parenthood

    • WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics) - see FB post from 9/19/26

    • Supporters of Public Education (SOPE OC)

    • Lavender Democrats of Orange County

    • CAIR Action

    • Chispa

    • Tony Thurmond, CA Superintendent of Public Instruction

    • Vicente Sarmiento, OC Supervisor, District 2

    • Jessie Lopez, Santa Ana City Councilmember, Ward 3

    • Benjamin Vazquez, Santa Ana City Councilmember, Ward 2

    • Katelyn Brazer Aceves, SAUSD Trustee, Area 4

    • Valerie Magdaleno, SAUSD Trustee, Area 2

    • Supporters of Public Education

      • Orange County organization supporting public education and candidates committed to strong public schools.


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record: (This is an incomplete list, his other votes can be found throughout his guide page above. Some of the votes described earlier we struggled to find the exact dates and resolutions to reference, due in part to the prolific voter history he has).

    • (February 14, 2023) Voted YES on Board adoption of Resolution No. 22/23-3491 - Acknowledging Ancestral Land of Indigenous People. This passed, and now SAUSD board meetings all begin with a land acknowledgement. source 

    • (May 9, 2023) Voted YES on Board Policy 5145.31 - Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Nonconforming Students. This 8-page policy document lists its scope as “The purpose of this Board Policy is to provide District staff guidelines regarding issues related to transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming students. The Governing Board is committed to addressing the safety needs of all students, including those needs related to a student's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The Board recognizes that a safe and supportive environment is necessary for students to have equal access to all school programs and activities which is integral to student success. The Board acknowledges its role in providing students with an understanding of and respect for differences in the gender identity and gender expression of others.” Read the policy in full here. Vote source 

    • (Jun 13, 2023) Voted YES on Approval of New Job Description: School-Based Mental Health Specialist I. This is one of several mental/behavioral health staffing increases Bustos has voted yes on during his term. Source


    Follow the Money: Bustos has a large number of small-value donations filed. Here’s some of the larger ones - Hector Bustos for School Board 2026 FPPC ID: 1448990 

    • $2000 from International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Political Action Together Political Committee

    • $1000 from Lavender Democrats

    • $1000 from Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Workers’ International Union (S.M.A.R.T.) Local 105 PAC

    • $500 from Sprinkler Fitters Local 709 PAC Small Contributor Committee

    • $1,000 from Southern California Pipe Trades District Council #16

    • $1,500 from STEAMFITTERS & REFRIGERATION U.A. LOCAL 250 PAC

    • $100 from Valerie Magdaleno (fellow trustee on the board)

    • $517.80 from Jesus Bustos (presumably a family member)

    • $103.80 from Felicity Figueroa (activist in OC involved in immigration justice, LGBTQ+ rights, etc)

    • $2,500 from Laborers International Union of North America / Laborers Local 652

    • $1,000 from Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) California General Purpose Committee

    • $250 from Katelyn Aceves (fellow trustee on the board)

    • $500 from Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties’ Community Action Fund PAC

    • $250 from EducateUS

    • $250 from Building a Stronger West sponsored by Western States Regional Council of Carpenters

    • $259.05 from Bulmaro Vicente (Policy Director with Chispa)

    • $1036.85 YTD from Janelle McLoughlin (Retired)

    • $519.05 from Adam Overton, Community Organizer with CLUE

  • Santa Ana USD Area 5 Trustee Candidate, 4 year term

    Challenging Incumbent Hector Bustos


    Candidate Statement:

    “ALEJANDRA RODRIGUEZ | Mother

    I'm Alejandra Rodriguez, running for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education, Trustee Area 5, because every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, every parent deserves to be heard, and every school deserves strong, transparent leadership.

    I am a Santa Ana native who attended Washington Elementary, McFadden Institute of Technology, MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate, and Saddleback High School. I have children attending SAUSD schools, giving me experience as both a former student and a parent.

    I have been involved in my children’s education through the School Site Council, PBIS, the Community School Council, the PTO, and school committees. These roles have allowed me to listen to families, work with educators, and understand our schools’ needs.

    I have served as a City of Santa Ana Commissioner for Historic Resources and Parks and Recreation and as a Neighborhood Association leader.

    As your trustee, I will focus on improving reading, writing, and math, supporting teachers, keeping schools safe, and preparing students for college, careers, and life. I will advocate for students with disabilities and their families.

    Santa Ana is my home, and our children deserve leadership that puts students first and works with families.

    I respectfully ask for your vote.

    alejandra4sausd.com”


    Email: Alejandra4SAUSD@gmail.com


    Campaign Website: http://alejandra4sausd.com/

    • On her campaign website, she leads with, “Are our kids actually learning? Who gets to raise your child? Where is the money going? Santa Ana deserves real answers. Alejandra is running to get them.” https://www.alejandra4sausd.com/

    • On her Issues page, she has most of what Sylvia Iglesias’ page on student performance. She uses one of the bar graphs on Iglesias’ page, which compares the proficiency rates for reading and math from 2015 to 2025 (except 2020-21 due to the COVID pandemic). She admits that test scores have improved but are unacceptable. This is the text above the graph: 

      • “These numbers should alarm every parent, taxpayer, and community member. A large share of our students are below grade level—not because they can’t succeed, but because the system is failing them.

    Year after year, this district has allowed unacceptable outcomes to continue, and our children are paying the price. This is not a minor issue or a temporary setback; it is a crisis.

    We cannot afford more excuses, delays, or half-measures. It is time for decisive leadership, real accountability, and immediate action to ensure every student gets the education they deserve.” https://www.alejandra4sausd.com/issues


    Priorities: 

    • Parental Rights ”Your family. Your values. Your child. But somewhere along the way, Santa Ana schools started making decisions about your kids without telling you. Counseling your child was placed in without your knowledge. Library books you'd never approve. Curriculum you never agreed to. Alejandra believes the answer to 'who gets to raise your child?' should always be you. She'll fight to restore full parental notification, real opt-out rights, and a district that answers to families, not the other way around.” 

    • Academic Excellence “Parents deserve a straight answer: are our kids actually learning? Not just passing. Not just moving on to the next grade. Learning. Alejandra's commitment to academic excellence starts with holding schools accountable to that question, and building the conditions, resources, and leadership that make the answer 'yes.'”

    • Fiscal Responsibility “SAUSD's budget has more than doubled in ten years, from $432 million in 2014 to $913 million in 2025. That's a 111% increase. So why are class sizes growing? Why are Santa Ana students falling further behind in math and reading, not catching up? The money is there. The results aren't. Alejandra believes every family in this district deserves an honest answer to one question: where is the money going? She'll demand full budget transparency, accountability for outcomes, and a district that proves every dollar is reaching the classroom, not disappearing into administration.”


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Alejandra is running openly on her support of forced outing policies, the ability for parents to block schools from teaching students state-approved curriculum, and other conservative, anti-LGBTQ dogwhistle issues.

    • Alejandra is openly in support of book bans, an issue that has been orchestrated at SAUSD by current SAUSD and Heritage Foundation speaker, Brenda Lebsack. Read more about Brenda here. 

    • Has children at 3 different SAUSD schools.

    • Served as a parks and Recreation Commissioner, appointed by Santa Ana Councilmember Jonathan Ryan Penaloza in 2025. The Commission has now been dissolved. source

    • AKA Alee Rodriguez


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:


    Endorsed by: 

    • 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)

    • Sylvia Iglesias, 2026 Candidate for SAUSD Board, Area 4

      • Note: Sylvia Iglesias serves as Secretary of La Unión de Padres, the parental-rights and school-choice organization led by her sister, Cecilia “Ceci” Iglesias. Brenda Lebsack has also participated in La Unión de Padres activities; Cecilia Iglesias publicly thanked Lebsack for participating in the organization’s 2025 Orange County Charter Schools Parent of the Year event. Thus, Rodriguez’s endorsement by Sylvia Iglesias provides an identifiable connection to the same parental-rights advocacy network that has included Lebsack. Rodriguez’s own campaign likewise makes “Parental Rights” one of its three core priorities.  

    • Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua (see FB post on August 25th of Valerie Amezcua Mayor of Santa Ana)


    Candidate in the News: None Found

    Public Voting Record: None Found


    Follow the Money: Rodriguez for SAUSD School Board 2026 FPPC ID: 1490934

    • 09/19/26, $2000 from Orange County Advocates for Great Public Schools, sponsored by California Charter Schools Association Advocates F497P2

      • This is a conservative PAC focused on charter school advocacy that focuses their contributions on right-wing candidates.

      • This organization also donated to the Sylvia Iglesias campaign.

    • $2,500 from Santa Ana Police Officers Association Political Action Committee

Rancho Santiago Community College District

  • ​Rancho Santiago Community College District Area 2 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “JOHN R. HANNA | Governing Board Member, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Trustee Area 2

    I am John R. Hanna, and it has been an honor to serve you and our community as the Trustee for Area 2 of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. My wife, Cynthia, and our seven children have lived in Santa Ana and Orange for 37 years. I am a long-time parishioner at Holy Family Church in Orange and have volunteered thousands of hours with local youth sports and community organizations. Professionally, I have served as General Counsel for two California agencies and handled government affairs for the 12-state Western States Carpenters before my

    retirement.

    As your Trustee, I have worked to maintain balanced budgets while building strong partnerships with local businesses. Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon colleges continue to have strong enrollment because of our dedicated educators and employees and our outstanding Career Technical Education and Apprenticeship programs, many of which allow our students to earn while they learn.

    Our District contributes $2.4 billion to the Orange County economy, while providing students with affordable pathways to universities and good-paying careers. I remain committed to fiscal

    responsibility, accountability and addressing challenges legally, responsibly, and transparently.

    I humbly ask for your vote.”


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: John does not appear to have a campaign website.

    Priorities: Normally we’d pull these from his website. Lacking that, these are pulled from his candidate questionnaire with the OC Register. 

    • “Adequate funding to provide skilled workforce training as well as traditional academic majors that help run businesses and help prepare students for their associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at an affordable cost for students.

    • Ensuring that Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon colleges build on the success of the past in developing partnerships with business, labor, higher education and governmental entities to ensure that our students have a pipeline into a good career, trained by an outstanding faculty.”


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • John is the incumbent in this seat at the age of 74. 

    • John also serves as the Director of Governmental and Political Affairs/Special Counsel at Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, a role he began in 2014. (x)

    • He received his JD (Law Degree) from Loyola Law School Los Angeles, and his BA in Political Science and Government from CSU Fullerton in 1974. (x)

    • In conjunction with his seat on the Rancho Santiago Community College District, he serves on the Community College League of California Advisory Committee on Legislation. (x) 

    • According to the OC Register, Hanna was a leadership member (possibly Central Committee?) in the OC Democratic Party between 1980 and 1988. (x) 


    Social Media Links: 

    • Linkedin

    • No traditional social media pages found.


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • None found


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • The OC Register asked John, “In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus?” He replied, “While I appreciate community colleges that have provided student housing, it’s expensive, and the state is no longer giving large sums of money to incentivize student housing. Only about 1% of California’s community college students utilize student housing, as most colleges don’t have the space for housing or find it too expensive when budgets are tight. In addition, a majority of students are part-time and are not on campus often.

    If state funds become available for student housing, I would support talking with Santa Ana and the County of Orange, as well as our residential and business neighbors, before proceeding further. We are providing financial assistance to many of our students. Housing would need more multi-government/private sector funding and coordination if student housing were built.” (x)

    • The OC Register also asked him, “What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.” He replied, “I Yell Because I Care: The Passion and Politics of John Burton, California’s Liberal Warrior.” John Burton was one of the toughest and brightest political leaders I have ever personally known. His book was an enjoyable walk down California’s governmental and political action from the 1950s until his passing last year. A good read on how politics is both an inside and outside game, at least if you’re good at it.” (x)


    Endorsed by: 

    • 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. 

      • NOTE: Nancy did provide this note on her choice; “Comments: Not good choices. Better than Steve Rocco.” So while it’s her “Pick”, it’s not an enthusiastic, full-throated endorsement. 



    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • $250 from Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District PAC

    • Hanna contributed $100 to the campaign of Santa Ana City Council incumbent candidate Phil Bacerra. You can read about Bacerra on the Santa Ana page. 

    • Hanna contributed $100 to the campaign of Santa Ana City Council candidate Giovanni Chavez. You can read about Chavez on the Santa Ana page. 

    • Hanna contributed $125 to the campaign of Santa Ana Mayoral incumbent candidate Valerie Amezcua. You can read about Amezcua on the Santa Ana page. 

    • Hanna contributed $125 to the campaign of Coast Community College District Candidate Sunny Zia. You can read about Zia on multiple coastal city’s pages, including Huntington Beach.

  • ​Rancho Santiago Community College District Area 2 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement: NONE FOUND


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: Rocco does not have a campaign website. 

    Priorities: Rocco has no listed priorities. He has never had listed priorities in any of his runs for office. 


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Former OUSD school board trustee 2004-2008. Rocco has run for office… a lot. He runs every cycle - he’s ran for OUSD, OC Clerk-Recorder, Santa Ana Mayor, Rancho Santiago Community College District, and more. He never has an active campaign - when he won the OUSD race in 2004 (with 54% of the vote), it was a shock to everyone, as he had essentially no campaign. Rocco himself refused all efforts to be contacted after he won, remaining elusive to the point that community watchdog groups offered a cash prize for anyone who could capture a picture of him. Rocco didn’t appear or speak publicly until the December 9, 2004 OUSD meeting where he was sworn in. (x) (x) (x) 

    • While he was on the OUSD Board, Rocco was the source of a significant amount of turmoil due to his behavior, including a school board meeting in March 2007 when he attempted to make a speech about what he calls “the partnership,” a cabal of powerful individuals he says runs the county and has tried to assassinate him. That didn’t go over too well, leading the Board to seek to change the rules for how meetings were run. (x) 

    • Speeches were not the extent of unusual behavior from Rocco while he sat on the OUSD board - multiple photographs and videos can be found online of Rocco wearing all black clothing, a dark blue beanie, and black Raybans-style sunglasses on the dias, presumably every time, along with props such as dolls, black-and-white surveillance style photos in picture frames, and signs. Rocco generally did not engage in discussion about school board matters during his time in elected office, instead tending to stick to commentary about his suspicions of a criminal cabal that was trying to kill him. (x) 

    • During his early campaigns, Rocco gained a reputation for having misled voters about being a “teacher.” Rocco does have an expired teaching credential, but our researchers cannot find any evidence of him actually being employed as a teacher anywhere. (x) 

    • As far as we can tell, Rocco won his election in 2004 largely in part because his ballot statement said he was a “teacher” while his opponent said he was a “park ranger.” (x) 

    • Tried to list himself as a “retired teacher/writer” on his 2024 designation but a private citizen challenged the designation and the ROV agreed and removed “teacher”. Private citizens are legally allowed to challenge designations on ballots for a limited time during candidate filings - this is a legal process that exists through the OC Registrar of Voters. (x)

    • The LA Times reported on Rocco in 2004 ahead of his swearing in, sharing that, “indeed, when he filed candidacy paperwork for the school board seat, Rocco included a homemade manifesto of sorts -- a sheet of densely typed text cut and pasted together, and filled with rambling prose.

    Rocco further explored his theories in a lengthy self-published book, “Behind the Orange Curtain: Secret Chronicles and Public Record Accounts of Corruption, Murder and Scandals of Corporate and Political California.” He also served as host on 17 episodes of a self-produced interview show on a public access cable channel in 1993 and 1994. Videotapes show a mustached Rocco conducting interviews from behind dark glasses with guests who included a self-proclaimed witch and a drummer from a 1960s rock band.

    In 1996 he produced one episode of another series, “Political Murder,” but lawyers for the cable company and Santa Ana College -- where the show was taped -- refused to let it air. College spokeswoman Judy Iannaccone declined to comment further on the show.” (x) 

    • When Rocco was censured by his fellow OUSD Trustees, he sued over it, claiming the censure was a violation of his first amendment rights. The judge disagreed, dismissing the case. (x) 


    Social Media Links: 

    • Rocco is famously a recluse. None Found. 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • None Found


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • In his opening speech when he was sworn in at the Orange USD board back in 2004, he said, “You change things here, you change things nationwide. The world is watching. Doing my job as trustee and fighting organized crime are one and the same. We are living in a time of secret organizations, living in a time of corruption and, most of all, living in a time of dictatorships.” (x) 


    Endorsed by: 

    • None found


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None found


    Follow the Money: 

    • None found

  • ​Rancho Santiago Community College District Area 4 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “DAISY TONG | AGE: 42 | Rancho Santiago Community College District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 4

    It has been an honor to serve as your Trustee for the past four years, including the privilege of serving as President of the Board. I believe education transforms lives by expanding opportunities, increasing earning potential, and strengthening our entire community.

    During my term, our district maintained a strong financial position, increased reserves, expanded enrollment, strengthened dual enrollment and adult education, and grew nationally recognized apprenticeship programs. From the beginning, I have been committed to helping our young students successfully transfer to four-year universities while also creating more opportunities for working adults to return to college, earn certificates, degrees, and build better careers.

    Under our leadership, Rancho Santiago Community College District expanded one of California’s largest selections of bachelor’s degree programs, opened Santa Ana College’s new Health Sciences Building, secured more than $29 million in new state funding through enrollment growth, and brought in millions of federal grants to expand educational opportunities.

    I believe public service begins with listening. I maintain an open-door policy and welcome your questions, ideas, and concerns at daisyxtong@gmail.com. I respectfully ask for your vote for Daisy Tong to continue building on this success by keeping student success our top priority while remaining a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.”


    Email: daisyxtong@gmail.com


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

    Priorities: 

    • “Progress Through Leadership

      • During my time on the Board, I’ve been proud to work with my fellow trustees and our colleges to support significant growth and new opportunities for students. Together, we have expanded educational pathways, strengthened career and workforce programs, grown Continuing Education, and maintained a strong financial foundation. There is more work ahead, and I remain committed to building on this progress.

    • Student Success & Opportunity

      • I’ve been proud to support expanding affordable pathways for students to earn degrees, transfer to four-year universities, and prepare for meaningful careers. Santa Ana College now offers three bachelor’s degree programs—Occupational Studies, Paralegal Studies, and Automotive Technology—with additional bachelor’s programs in development.

    • Education at Every Stage of Life

      • I believe community college should be an open door for everyone—from high school students and first-time college students to working adults, immigrants, veterans, and those returning to school for a second chance. During my time on the Board, Continuing Education has grown significantly and now serves more than 30,000 students throughout Santa Ana and Garden Grove.

    • Career Education & Workforce Development

      • I’ve supported the continued growth of career education, apprenticeships, and programs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, public safety, automotive technology, technology, and the skilled trades—helping connect students to meaningful careers while strengthening Orange County’s workforce.

    • Responsible Leadership

      • As a Trustee, I’ve supported balanced budgets, strong reserves, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I will continue working to protect the district’s financial strength while keeping our resources focused on students, instruction, and long-term success.”


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Tong is the incumbent in this seat, having first been elected in 2022. 

    • She’s originally from Vietnam, having emigrated to the United States with her family when she was 10 years old, identifying as a political refugee. (x)

    • Tong is a Real Estate Agent in her time outside of the school district. 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • OCGOP

    • Shawn Steel (Former Chair of the California Republican Party, known as a political Kingmaker (or Queenmaker) in conservative SoCal politics. Husband to Fmr. Congresswoman Michelle Steel)

    • Michelle Steel (Fmr. Congresswoman, solidly MAGA, anti-LGBTQ voting record)

    • Kim Colleen Bengard (Member of the Council for National Policy, Director of It Takes A Family Foundation, Director at Prager University Foundation & Family Action PAC President. For anyone unfamiliar, these are extremist, far-right organizations in the Heritage Foundation network pushing policy at a national level).  (x) 

    • Tim Bengard (along with his wife Colleen, they were among the top donors to 2008 Prop 8 effort to ban gay marriage in California) (x) 


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On December 20th, 2025, she shared an instagram post that said, “I saw a quote that said, you worry too much for someone who God has never failed. And I honestly needed to be called out like that”, with the caption, “Sometimes, when you're a little short of clarity, you ask God for a sign, and this is the first thing you see. Nothing calms you more. #godishood #blessedaways” (x)

    • Most of Tong’s social media posts were promotions of properties she was looking to sell as a Real Estate agent, or photos of her dogs, flowers, fashion, and other things that didn’t really tell our researchers much about her values or opinions. We did not find much in the way of public comment elsewhere. 


    Endorsed by: 

    • 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. 

    • Moms on the Ground — California parental-rights advocacy group that has worked in coalition with Moms for Liberty and other organizations promoting parental-rights and school-choice/charter-school policies. (momsonthegroundca, Moms for Liberty)

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

    • Young Kim – U.S. Congresswoman

      • NOTE: Kim has a long track record of voting in opposition of LGBTQ and immigrant rights. 

    • Tri Ta – California Assemblyman

    • Mario Rodriguez – Hispanic 100 Chairman

    • John Hanna – Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee

    • Lan Quoc Nguyen – Garden Grove Unified School District Board Member

    • Bobby McDonald – Veteran & Community Business Advocate

    • Jon Dumitru – City of Orange Council Member

    • Dina Nguyen, Esq. – Garden Grove Unified School District Board Member

    • Sal Tinajero – Rancho Santiago CC Trustee and Santa Ana Councilman (Former)

    • Tyler Diep – Assemblyman representing part of Garden Grove (former)

    • Allan Mansoor – Assemblyman representing the majority of Garden Grove (former)

    • Michael Vo – Mayor, Fountain Valley (former)

    • Steve Mensinger – Mayor, Costa Mesa (former)

    • Chinh Nguyen – Autism Advocate & Regional Center of Orange County Board Member

    • Flo Cudal – President SCC Associated Student Government (former)


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money:

    • Tong’s campaign contributions are not yet publicly available.

  • Rancho Santiago Community College District Area 4 Trustee Candidate


    Candidate Statement:


    “BEATRIZ MENDOZA | AGE: 50 | Parent/Businesswoman

    In 2017, I proudly served as a member of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, Measure E Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. As a former student of a community college, I

    understand firsthand the importance of having access to the best resources, a great learning environment, and infrastructure that leads to student success.

    I am a former City of Santa Ana Planning Commissioner and also served on the 7th Santa Ana General Plan Advisory Group, where we reviewed the City’s General Master Plan to help improve our city.

    While in college, I was the District Student Council Representative for the Coast Community College District and was the Associated Student Representative on the President’s Cabinet and Academic Senate. After obtaining my A.A., I transferred to UCLA and graduated with a degree in Political Science.

    As a former staff member for a congressional office, I co-chaired the Higher Education Advisory Board, where Chancellors, Deans, and college Presidents participated in a dialogue to improve higher education for all students. Currently, my oldest son attends Santa Ana College, my daughter is at UC Santa Cruz, and my youngest son is at Segerstrom High School, where I am a member of the School Site Council.”


    Email: 

    Phone: 714-866-8788


    Campaign Website: www.beatrizmendoza4ranchosantiagocollegeboard.com/ 

    Priorities: 

    • Mendoza does not list her specific priorities on her campaign website, but she does say on the landing page, “I understand firsthand the importance of having access to the best resources, a great learning environment, and infrastructure that leads to student success.”


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • When Beatriz ran for Orange County Board of Education in 2024, she attended a candidate forum put on by the OC LGBTQ Center along with the two other progressive candidates running for seats on the Board of Education. The conservative candidates did not attend. Date: February 28, 2024. (x)

    • She lists her experience on her campaign website to include “former staffer for a Congressional Office”, and her Linkedin references a “Senior Field Representative” but she doesn’t identify the member of Congress that she was a staffer for. We did find a Voice of OC article who identified her as a staffer for Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Santa Ana). (x) (x)

    • She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, American Government and Politics (x)

    • Beatriz has been involved in non-profit work as well, including CEO of the YWCA of Orange County, managing the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Office in Anaheim, the Delhi Center in Santa Ana, and Chief of Staff of the California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). 

    • Mendoza’s 2019 Santa Ana City Council campaign was backed by Planned Parenthood. (x) 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Joe Biden

    • UCLA

    • OC Dems and Progressives

    • Lavender Democrats OC

    • Benjamin Vazquez (Santa Ana City Council, LGBTQ ally, immigrant justice ally)

    • VietRISE

    • The Democrats

    • Isuri S. Ramos (Santa Ana City Council candidate, LGBTQ ally, immigrant justice ally)

    • Kris Erickson (OUSD Trustee, LGBTQ ally)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • In her 2024 campaign for Orange County Board of Education, Beatriz said, “I’m deeply concerned about the direction of our County Board. Our focus should be on student success and safety, with taxpayer money spent directly on classrooms, not squandered on lawsuits that serve a political agenda.” (x) 

    • During her 2024 campaign, the OC Register asked Beatriz, “A predominant topic in school districts lately has been parental notification policies, requirements for how school officials may inform parents if their child may be transgender. What do you see as the role schools should have in involving parents in social issues?” Beatriz replied, “There is a need for more conversations between children and their parents, especially since the pandemic, and parents need to be welcomed into the conversation and active in their child’s education and more engaged as partners. “Notification” suggests that parents aren’t partners in the development and education of their children. Students need to be put first in the decision-making and ensure that their mental health needs are addressed. Furthermore, schools should provide a safe learning environment for all students. By enacting these types of policies, we are putting their mental well-being at risk.” (x)

    • The OC Register asked Beatriz during this 2026 campaign for Rancho Santiago Community College District, “In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus?” Beatriz replied, “I think our district can continue to be a resource hub that includes partnerships with the local housing authorities, non-profit organizations that help with free or low-income housing, and living spaces. Additionally, the district can continue to work with counselors to assist students with the financial aid process to help students obtain rental/home ownership subsidies. 

    I think the district can look into student housing in the near future.” (x) 


    Endorsed by: 

    • Congressman Lou Correa

    • Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento

    • RSCCD Trustee Zeke Hernandez

    • Democratic Party of Orange County

    • Orange County Labor Federation

    • Chapter 579 CSEA

    • FARSCCD CCA/CTA Local #4351

    • CEFA


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • $2,500 from Faculty Association of the Rancho Santiago Community College District PAC

    • $500 from the campaign of Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen for Mayor 2026

    • $109 from the campaign of Ada Briceno for Assembly 2026


    • Beatriz herself contributed $250 to Benjamin Vazquez for Santa Ana Council Ward 2 2026

South OC Community College District

  • South OC Community College District Area 4 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “NARGES RAKIN | AGE: 56 | College Dean/Educator

    I'm Narges Rakin — an educator, a professor, a parent, and an advocate who has spent nearly three decades working inside California's community colleges, putting students first as a tenured professor, a faculty union negotiator, and now a Dean. That depth of experience is an asset, not just a resume line because I know this system inside and out, from the classroom to the negotiating table to the administration building, and I know where the gaps between promises and practice tend to show up.

    I'm running for the SOCCCD Board of Trustees because I believe our district's budget and decisions belong to the public, not just the boardroom. Too often, families are asked to trust institutions without being shown the reasoning behind them. I don't think that's good enough.

    As a board member, I will push for open, plain-language budget reporting that any parent or taxpayer can actually read. I will prioritize outside grant and workforce-development funding to

    grow academic programs, protecting the general fund as a last resort. And I will insist that every decision can stand up to a direct question from a student, a parent, or the public — asked openly, and answered honestly.

    I ask for your vote.

    www.therakin.org”


    Email: mailto:info@therakin.org 


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

    Priorities: 

    • Budgets built in the open

    • Growth without risk

    • Answerable to the people who pay for it


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Director of Shokooh Foundation is a 501(c) Private Charity Organization.

      • “We are a Nonprofit Humanitarian Organization for Children.”

    • From LinkedIn - Experience

      • Chancellor's Office Special AI Advisor - California Community Colleges

        • Sep 2025 - Present · 1 yr 2 mos

      • Dean of Humanities and Social Science - Cerritos College · Full-time

        • Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

      • Principal Consultant - Command Academics · Contract

        • Sep 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

      • Member - Community College League of California

        • Jan 2021 - Jun 2025 · 4 yrs 6 mos

      • Rancho Santiago Community College District - Full-time · 20 yrs

        • Professor - Aug 2004 - Jul 2024 · 20 yrs

        • Assist. Vice Chancellor- People & Culture: Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer   - Jul 2020 - Jul 2022 · 2 yrs 1 mo

        • Faculty Union President and Chief Negotiator - Jul 2011 - Jul 2020 · 9 yrs 1 mo

      • Member Of The Board Of Advisors - National Model United Nations · Freelance

        • Mar 2020 - Jun 2024 · 4 yrs 4 mos

      • Faculty Association  - FARSCCD

        • Jul 2011 - Jul 2020 · 9 yrs 1 mo

    • From LinkedIn - Education

      • University of Southern California - Doctor of Education - EdD, Organizational Leadership

      • Cornell University ILR School - Professional Certificate, Diversity and Inclusion

      • California State University, Long Beach - Master of Arts - MA, Political Science and Government

      • California State University, Fullerton - Master of Arts - MA, HISTORY

      • California State University, Fullerton - History and Political Science 

    • From LinkedIn - Volunteering

      • Director - Shokooh Foundation

        • Jul 2026 - Present · 4 mos

        • Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for children around the world who are in need – from toddlers to college students.


    Social Media Links: 

    • Personal Facebook - Small number of posts from 2013 to August 2026, all family

    • Personal Twitter - Posts starting in 2011 with most recent in December, 2020, including:

      • Feb 7, 2012 - “Way to go California same sex unions are not an issue in CA. Seriously, private lives are private.”

      • Feb 4, 2013 - “....the NRA and their minions dismantle the truth, while our living breathing children are slaughtered.”

      • Jun 26, 2015 - picture lowering Confederate flag then raising Pride flag

    • Personal Instagram - no posts visible

    • Second Personal Instagram - one post with no text

    • LinkedIn - Posts every few months starting 6 years ago, all see to be career related

    • Not found on Threads; Bluesky


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Narges Rakin, South Orange County Community College District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire - By Kaitlyn Schallhorn | kschallhorn@scng.com - PUBLISHED: October 5, 2026 at 2:22 PM PDT

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

      • The most pressing need is at Saddleback College. The district’s recent Inspire 2035 visioning sessions center on direct support for students and campus infrastructure, expanding basic needs funding and student emergency aid, extending hours at the Student Health Center, modernizing classrooms for the English and humanities departments, adding more direct financial aid and free textbooks, and addressing longstanding budget and bureaucratic bottlenecks within the district’s approval processes.

    As the Area 4 Trustee, my priority is to prioritize and fund basic-needs programs and emergency student aid in the budget, working to streamline the approval processes that staff and faculty flagged as a frustration, while championing facilities upgrades like modern classrooms.

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

    • The role of community college is to provide a broad education system to the community. The colleges must remain affordable and accessible. For a large share of students, community college is the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and a gateway to higher degrees, which can lead to a career.

    Beyond transfer, community colleges train people directly for jobs, for example, nursing, automotive technology, computer science, culinary arts, skilled trades, etc. Very often through certificate programs, these pathways take months, rather than years, to complete.

    Community colleges serve older students returning to school, people changing careers, first-generation college students, and those needing remedial coursework before tackling college-level work. Lastly, community colleges are the economic anchor of the community.

    • In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

    • Yes, student housing should be a priority, but a realistic, phased plan rather than a flagship promise. Housing insecurity is already one of the most commonly cited barriers to student success and, for community colleges specifically, even a small dedicated housing option can meaningfully increase persistence and completion rates for students who commute long distances, couch-surf, or drop classes because they can’t afford to live near campus.

    • What actions would you suggest to prevent a cyberattack similar to the Canvas data breach in May? How can your district ensure students’ information is safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

    • Cybersecurity isn’t something I’d treat as just an IT problem. It’s a board-level responsibility, especially since community colleges have become a favorite target for ransomware precisely because we’re seen as underfunded and under-defended. I’d push for the basics that actually stop most attacks — for example, multi-factor authentication — and ensure that systems are kept patched and updated, networks are segmented so one compromised computer can’t take down financial aid or enrollment systems, and backups are tested and stored separately so we’re never forced into paying a ransom. Also, establish real phishing training and a clear, blame-free way for staff to report something suspicious the moment they see it.

    On the governance side, I’d ask for a real cybersecurity policy with clear ownership of incident response, regular outside audits instead of just trusting our own systems are fine, and careful vetting of the vendors we give system access to. And honestly, I’d fight to get cybersecurity its own protected line in the budget rather than something that gets cut first when money’s tight, with the board getting regular updates.

    • 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 less.)

    • AI in the classroom is safe when it’s used with intention and guardrails, and risky when it’s adopted without either. Having taught history and political science for 24 years before moving into administration, I’ve watched technology change the classroom before, and the lesson I keep coming back to is that the tool itself is rarely the problem; it’s whether faculty and students are given the training and structure to use it well.

    AI should be a tool that extends what a good instructor already does and not a shortcut around the work of learning, and not a replacement for the human relationships that actually keep students enrolled and succeeding. As a trustee, I’d ask the district to invest in real faculty training on this, develop clear and consistent policy rather than leaving it to individual instructors to sort out, and keep asking whether a given use of AI is helping students think more, or think less.

    • 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 less.)

    • As a professor for 24 years, I’ve seen firsthand that civil discourse doesn’t happen just because students are in the same room together; it has to be taught deliberately. It starts with actually structuring opportunities for students to disagree productively, for example, formal debate programs, moderated discussions on contested issues, and classroom norms that reward genuine engagement with an opposing view rather than just winning an argument or shutting someone down.

    Faculty play a huge role here, too, where they need to model what it looks like to explore a hard question fairly, present multiple credible perspectives, and separate “I disagree with you” from “you’re a bad person for believing that.”

    I’d also want to see students practicing this across differences, not just in the abstract. This is done by bringing together people with genuinely different backgrounds, political views, and life experiences so disagreement isn’t hypothetical.

    And honestly, some of it is about giving students the tools before they need them. For example, teaching media literacy and how to evaluate a source so disagreements are grounded in facts rather than misinformation, and giving students language for disagreeing respectfully instead of either avoiding conflict entirely or treating every debate like a fight to win. Community colleges are actually well-positioned for this, since our student bodies are already so diverse in age, background, and life experience.

    • 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 less.)

    • I bring nearly three decades inside this system, with 24 years as a community college professor teaching history and political science, followed by my current role as a college dean. That combination matters in this role. I’ve stood in front of the classroom and know what students actually need to succeed, and I’ve also sat in the leadership meetings where budget, policy, and facilities decisions get made.

    Teaching history and political science for over two decades taught me how to help people understand complex systems, weigh competing perspectives fairly, and reason through hard questions without oversimplifying them. These are skills I use every day now as an administrator, and skills that a board sorely needs when it’s making decisions that affect thousands of students.

    As a dean, I’ve learned how to manage competing priorities with limited resources, how to translate faculty and student concerns into policy that actually gets implemented, and how to navigate the bureaucratic layers of a district system without losing sight of the people it’s supposed to serve.

    My priorities coming into this role are the ones I’ve lived with directly, these are student basic needs and affordability, modernizing classrooms and facilities, supporting faculty who are doing the actual work of instruction, and making sure the board’s decisions are grounded in what’s happening on the ground — not just what looks good in a strategic plan. I’m not coming to this seat to learn the system. I’ve spent 24 years teaching in it and years since leading in it, and that’s exactly the perspective I want to bring to the board table.

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

    • My mascot is the falcon. I chose the falcon because it reflects the way I lead. Falcons are known for extraordinary eyesight. They have the ability to see clearly and with precision from a height that others can’t reach. As a college dean, I’ve spent years inside this system, close to faculty, staff, and students, and that vantage point has given me the clarity to see the whole landscape, not just the piece in front of me. The falcon also carries a sense of purposeful speed, as it doesn’t wander or hesitate; it targets what matters and moves with decisiveness. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to the board: clear-eyed, grounded in experience, and willing to act rather than get stuck in bureaucratic slowness. The falcon isn’t just a symbol I picked. It’s how I intend to show up in this role.

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

    • The best book this year is Liz Wiseman’s “Multipliers.” It describes investing in people, assuming capability rather than doubting it, and creating conditions for growth, as it lines up naturally with the mission of a community college.


    Endorsed by: 


    Candidate in the News:

    • Nothing found


    Public Voting Record:

    • Nothing found, has not held office yet


    Follow the Money: 

    • From netfile.com - records from 2020 but nothing more recent found

  • South OC Community College District Area 4 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “GILA JONES | Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District

    Tested Leadership – Future Focus – Transparency

    During my twelve-year tenure on your Capistrano Unified School District board, I successfully advocated for the establishment of a new Academy for CUSD students, located on the Saddleback College campus, where students are able to take both high school and college courses, and may simultaneously earn CUSD and Saddleback diplomas. I was part of the team that hired a new superintendent; added to the already-strong Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate curricula; improved public transparency and communication with parents; and many other accomplishments.

    It’s critical that we prepare students for a very rapidly changing global economy and job market. I’ll urgently advocate for coursework in emerging fields, as well as high-demand careers with apprenticeship options, both for young people and those pursuing new fields of work or study. Public trust requires stringent oversight. The current South Orange County Community College District board failed to protect residents and taxpayers when they voted to accept a $750,000 developer inducement tied to a potentially hazardous Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), near Saddleback College, without proper scrutiny. Trustees must independently vet staff recommendations rather than rubber-stamping staff proposals that may compromise community safety.

    If elected, I’ll bring governance experience, future-driven vision, and public accountability to the board. 949-371-6662”


    Email: gilajones4collegeboard@gmail.com 


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

    Priorities: 

    • Career Education for an AI - influenced Future

    • Budget Accountability

    • Grow Dual Enrollment

    • Strengthen  Math Preparation


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Gila was in attendance at a South Orange County Pride event in early fall 2026 where she spoke briefly with Pride at the Pier. 

    • Capistrano Unified school board majority votes for resolution opposing trans athletes in girls’ sports - By Hanna Kang | hkang@scng.com - PUBLISHED: May 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM PDT | UPDATED: May 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM PDT - OC Register

      • “After several hours of impassioned testimony, board member clashes and tense public outbursts, the Capistrano Unified School District board approved a resolution calling for “fairness in girls’ sports,” and opposed the participation of transgender athletes in women’s athletic competitions.

      • The 4-2-1 vote on Wednesday, May 21, comes amid a broader debate that has increasingly played out in school board chambers across the region and country. Capistrano Unified, the largest district in Orange County, is believed to be the first OC district to adopt such a resolution.

      • [...] “This harms connectedness for some kids,” Trustee Gila Jones said, urging her colleagues to delay the vote and instead workshop the topic in a more collaborative setting. “Contentiousness on the board doesn’t move the needle for kids.” 

      • NOTE: minutes of the meeting appear to be no longer available on the capousd.org site, but found here - search for “Resolution No. 2425-30” or here is the scan of the resolution with the hand written notes of votes.

      • NOTE: Gila Jones was the abstaining vote in the 4-2-1 outcome

    • Why Did a South OC School Board Member Say the N-Word? - by Hosam Elattar and Angelina Hicks - Mar 14, 2025 - Voice of OC

      • “A South Orange County school board member’s use of the N-word at a recent public meeting – while supporting approval of a book about an enslaved man – has triggered concerns and debate across one of Orange County’s largest school districts.”

      • “[...] CUSD Board Member Gila Jones said she does not approve of the use of the N-word, adding that Bullockus did not use the word an as epithet, but in the context of a discussion about a book where the N-word is used often.  “I don’t say that word. I don’t think people should say it. I don’t approve of kids saying it to each other. I don’t approve of rap singers saying it,” she said in a Friday phone call. “It’s a bad word, but I also want to be very clear, it was in context.” She also said that a resident used the full word in their public comments before Bullockus spoke.

    • CapoUSD - Meet Our Board Members

    • https://ballotpedia.org/Gila_Jones

    • From LinkedIn - Experience

      • Candidate, Board of Trustees - South Orange County Community College District (Aug 2026 - Present · 3 mos)

      • Member of the Board of Trustees - Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) (Dec 2014 - Present · 11 yrs 11 mos)

      • Advisory Board Member - Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano (Sep 2013 - Present · 13 yrs 2 mos)

      • Member of the Board of Trustees - College and Career Advantage - Regional Occupational Program (Jan 2016 - Dec 2024 · 9 yrs)

      • Volunteer Coordinator - Kinoshita Elementary School (Sep 2009 - Sep 2016 · 7 yrs 1 mo)

      • Commissioner, Housing Advisory Committee - City of San Juan Capistrano (Sep 2009 - Sep 2012 · 3 yrs 1 mo)

      • Product Manager - VSI / V Systems, Inc. (1997 – 2000)

    • From LinkedIn - Education

      • D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University - MBA, Management Information Systems (1975 – 1977)

      • UC Irvine - B.A. (1970 – 1975)


    Social Media Links: 

    • Personal Facebook - Assumed based on limited details available

      • Posts from 2018 through September 2026 on many topics - pro Ukraine; science news stories; local events, etc.

      • November 23, 2025 - “Putin has stolen Mariupol, and likely won't stop until he completes the theft of the remainder of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Baltics. Can  he be stopped?”

    • Campaign Instagram - 6 posts, five campaign related one personal

    • LinkedIn - no posts but many likes of other’s posts - see Reactions

    • Not found on Twitter; Threads; Bluesky; Youtube


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Instagram - gila_jones_for_college_board - Gila Jones - June 1, 2026

      • “My dad's oldest brother was a gay man -- just as awkward and shy as he appears in this old photo, but also talented, wise, kind, and hilariously funny. Remembering him this #Pride Month, I wish he had lived to enjoy the kind of acceptance he would have experienced today.”


    Endorsed by: 


    Candidate in the News:

    • capodispatch - The Capistrano Dispatch - May 15, 2021

      • “The renaming has been in the works since last year, when Trustee Gila Jones originally brought up the matter following scrutiny of Father Junipero Serra, the school’s namesake. The campus is a continuation school in San Juan Capistrano.”

    • Capistrano Unified rejects parental notification policy, a first among OC school districts - By Annika Bahnsen | abahnsen@scng.com - PUBLISHED: October 19, 2023 at 8:47 AM PDT | UPDATED: October 20, 2023 at 9:37 AM PDT

      • “Capistrano Unified School District voted against enacting a parental notification policy Wednesday night, the first Orange County school district to outright deny such a proposal.”

      • “But after being asked for clarification during the discussion on Wednesday, Oct. 18, Trustee Lisa Davis, who proposed the policy, said students’ gender identity would also result in parental notification.”

      • “Trustee Gila Jones, who voted against the policy, was not in favor of using the word “notification” to describe the policy but suggested using “engagement” instead. “Engagement suggests that it is a partnership,” said Jones. “I do not think that parents are the enemy, not for a minute. I also do not think that there is anyone in the district who thinks that as well.” ”

    Public Voting Record:

    2) With AI rapidly transforming education, the district must invest in training for faculty and staff and partner with industry and community organizations that can give students real-world, hands-on experience with new technologies.

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

    • Answer: California’s community colleges were built on an open-access model to offer affordable, low-barrier education for everyone. They uniquely serve three primary groups: high school graduates who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university, those who are seeking job training or retraining, and individuals taking classes of personal interest or for self-improvement. No other California public educational entities serve these important purposes.

    • Question: In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

    • Answer: Yes, student housing should be a priority, but it must be done without burdening taxpayers or taking on excessive risk. Many California affordable housing developers will build, manage, and maintain income-restricted housing on publicly owned land through a low-cost, long-term ground lease. I will advocate for exploring this public-private model on the three SOCCCD campuses.

    • Question: What actions would you suggest to prevent a cyberattack similar to the Canvas data breach in May? How can your district ensure students’ information is safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

    • Answer: The problem arises when critical data is stored in a cloud. Outsourcing storage is attractive for the end user because it’s cost-effective, but risk management should never be outsourced. Cloud providers must meet high-level security standards, and all software contracts must include significant financial accountability for any breach.

    In addition to vendor oversight, other good practices include minimizing storage of sensitive information, requiring students and employees to update passwords frequently, and using multi-factor authorization on sign-in.

    • 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 less.)

    • Answer: AI chatbots are no less safe in classrooms than anywhere else. However, because the common use of AI chatbots is relatively new, many people may be unaware that chatbots can provide extremely inaccurate information, and that there have been instances of chatbots encouraging users toward self-harm, recommending illegal actions, and giving health advice that resulted in medical emergencies. To improve public information about chatbot risks, the first meeting of any community college class could include a handout or brief lesson about such potential hazards.

    • 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 less.)

    • Answer: Students of all beliefs (political, religious, personal) must feel welcome on college campuses. Both the Saddleback and Irvine Valley campuses encourage civil discourse by participating in the Students Vote Project, “a statewide nonpartisan program that amplifies college student voices and promotes civic engagement efforts to build a more inclusive democracy.

    Part of the issue today is that people rarely interact with those holding differing political views. To address this, individual departments or instructors could draw inspiration from NPR and StoryCorps’ One Small Step project, in which pairs people with opposing viewpoints for a non-political conversation—and encourage similar dialogue exercises in humanities courses. Building personal connections across political divides helps students see one another as individuals rather than adversaries.

    • 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 less.)

    • Answer: I have 12 years’ experience as a local public school board member, where I was involved in the development and modification of student and staff policies; hired, supervised, and evaluated a district superintendent and other executive leadership; oversaw multi-million dollar budgets and spending; and participated in the establishment of long-term strategic plans and district goals.

    I successfully advocated for the establishment of a new Academy on the Saddleback campus where high school students are able to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a two-year college degree.

    I have prioritized community outreach. As the only Spanish-speaker on my previous board, I worked to improve communication with our Spanish-speaking stakeholders. As the only board member whose cell number is published on my district’s website, I have been directly accessible to students and parents, city council members, and other local elected leaders.

    Additionally, through my legislative advocacy for public education, I have developed relationships with state lawmakers and their staff. I look forward to bringing my track record, legislative insight, and “community first” approach to the SOCCCD Board.

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

    • Answer: My mascot is a cartoon of a Gila Monster, a humorous play on my name. Using a lighthearted drawing reflects who I am and how I operate — I’m open and accessible, and I’m not afraid to laugh at myself. I’ve always prioritized real connection with the community, which is why I’m the only CUSD board member who lists their personal cell number on the district’s website. I hope the cartoon communicates that I’m friendly and approachable, and that community members should never hesitate to get in touch. (Unlike a real Gila Monster, I promise I’m not venomous.)

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

    • Answer: Most of the reading I do for pleasure is of books our schools are considering for adoption. My favorite recent read was “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro.

    Klara is a humanoid robot, called an Artificial Friend, for a child. While the author reports that AI chatbots and large language models were not his inspiration for the story, Klara had some similarities to them. Unlike a chatbot, however, Klara showed great curiosity about the world and genuinely enjoyed her relationships with humans. The character of Klara was unlike any I’d ever encountered in a book, and I was charmed by the way she interacted with people, her indefatigable optimism, and her many amusing yet logical misinterpretations of the world


    Follow the Money: 

    • From netfile.com search to see others like personal-to-campaign payments and other donations:

      • Gila Jones for College Trustee 2026 - paid to Cal Voter Guide - Slate mailer - 09/09/2026 $3,399.00

      • Gila Jones for College Trustee 2026 - paid to California Homeowners Voter Guide - Slate Mailer - 09/15/2026 $1,655.00

      • Gila Jones for College Board 2026 - paid to California Homeowners Voter Guide - 09/16/2026 $1,654.00

      • Gila Jones for College Trustee 2026 - paid to No Party Preference Voter Guide - Slate Mailer - 09/15/2026 $1,043.00

      • Carmenmara Hernandez-Bravo - paid to Gila Jones for College Trustee 2026 - 09/14/2026 $200.00

  • South OC Community College District Area 4 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “JOHN BLACK | Military Officer/Educator

    I, John Black, serving years as a Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, believe South Orange County's community colleges should open doors to good careers, four-year universities, skilled trades, military, public service, and entrepreneurship. I am running for the Board of Trustees to help students succeed while protecting taxpayer dollars.

    I have spent my career as an educator, teaching, coaching, and mentoring students, including Marines, and serving as adjunct faculty, a distinguished fellow at MIT, and guest lecturer at universities. Learning changes lives; I have spent decades helping people learn, lead, and grow.

    I have led large organizations and managed the public funds that support them. As Senior Emergency Management Program Coordinator for the Orange County Health Care Agency, I

    strengthened disaster preparedness, improved accountability for funded programs, and coordinated planning serving millions of residents. I understand budgets, oversight, and stewardship of public resources.

    I co-lead The JASSD Group and support veterans, first responders, and their families through Veterans FORWARD. My wife, Dr. Aime Black, our family, and I live in San Clemente.

    As a Trustee, I will focus on student success, academic excellence, workforce partnerships, safe campuses, and transparent governance.

    I would be honored to serve and respectfully ask for your vote.

    www.johnblack4collegeboard.com”


    Email: john@johnblack4collegeboard.com 


    Campaign Website: https://www.johnblack4collegeboard.com/ (Under Construction as of Aug 2026)

    Priorities - see campaign site for details: 

    • 1. STUDENT SUCCESS: PATHWAYS TO CAREERS, MOBILITY, AND HIGHER PAY

    • 2. SAFE, WELCOMING CAMPUSES (NOTE: He goes on to reference law enforcement in his explanation of this point)

    • 3. FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

    • *. HOW I WILL SERVE: MISSION FIRST, PEOPLE ALWAYS


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • John Black is running as an openly far-right candidate for office. He’s advertised an endorsement on his campaign website from Moms on the Ground, a local, SoCal group that is affiliated with the larger Moms For Liberty organization and regularly collaborates with the OC Chair of Moms For Liberty, Madison Miner. His pages are filled with phrases about opposing ‘ideology’ and leading with ‘faith, family, freedom’. 

    • From LinkedIn - Experience

      •  Co-Founder & CEO - The JASSD Group Consulting Services / Veterans FORWARD · Full-time (Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos)

      • Sr. Emergency Management Coordinator — OC HCA EMS, Health Disaster Preparedness (HDP) - County of Orange · Full-time (Aug 2025 - Apr 2026 · 9 mos)

      • Fellow - Business Advisory Services (Change Agility & Process Improvement) - Slalom · Internship (Aug 2022 - Dec 2022 · 5 mos)

      • Senior Director ( Commanding and Special Projects Officer ) - United States Marine Corps (Jul 2021 - Aug 2022 · 1 yr 2 mos)

      • Distinguished National Security Fellow - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Jun 2020 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo)

      • Senior Director ( Site Commander & Battalion Inspector-Instructor )  - 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division (Jun 2018 - Jun 2020 · 2 yrs 1 mo)

      • Director (Regimental Executive Officer )  - 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division & Camp Schwab, Marine Corps Installations Pacific · Full-time (May 2017 - Jun 2018 · 1 yr 2 mos)

      • Specialist in Defense and Security ( Adjunct Faculty Professor ) - Marine Corps University · Part-time (Aug 2017 - May 2018 · 10 mos)

      • Director & Sales Specialist ( Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation, American Embassy, NZ ) - U.S. Pacific Command · Full-time (Jun 2014 - May 2017 · 3 yrs)

      • Senior Manager & Sales Specialist ( Marine Corps Activities in Australia, NZ, & Oceania) - Marine Forces Pacific · Full-time (Feb 2012 - May 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mos)

    • From LinkedIn - Education

      • Harvard Business School - PLD, HBS Executive MBA Alternative (Jul 2020 – Jun 2022)

      • Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Fellow, International Relations and National Security Studies (Jun 2020 – Jun 2021)


    Social Media Links: 

    • Campaign Facebook - Posts starting September, 2026 all campaign related but last two regarding resources for those impacted by Norte fire.

    • Campaign Instagram - four posts all campaign related

    • LinkedIn - Regular posts, mostly reposts with comments

    • Not found on Twitter; Threads; TikTok; Bluesky; youTube


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On his campaign instagram on October 18th, he said, “My values are simple: Faith, Family, and Service to Country. They guided my 26 years in the Marine Corps, and they’ll guide my work for our students and taxpayers. I’m honored to be endorsed by all five members of the Orange County Board of Education, the @ocgop, @lincolncluboc, @logcabinoc, and others. 

    As trustee, I’ll put students first, keep our campuses safe, protect every taxpayer dollar, and make sure our colleges teach skills, not ideology.” (x)

    South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) is fortunate to be funded by local property taxes as a basic aid district, not reliant on Sacramento for its general operations funding. This independence gives the board greater flexibility to fund infrastructure projects and its curriculum, and it positions SOCCCD to attract, hire, develop, and retain the best faculty. As a result, WalletHub ranks Saddleback College No. 1 in California and Irvine Valley College  No. 5 in California, and both are ranked in the top 25 schools nationally.

    Our top two needs are clear: Keep education affordable and within reach for every student, and manage the district’s revenues and expenditures so this competitive advantage survives. That is the work I am prepared for: I managed Marine Corps programs worth up to $2.21 billion, taught and advised college students, and read budgets the way a homeowner would, because I am one. Disciplined stewardship will guarantee that students continue to have access to top-quality education at an affordable price.

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

      • I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. Unfortunately, it took me 15 years to pay off the loans. I remember what that debt felt like and the choices it cost me and my family, and I ran into plenty of people along the way who never finished college because it was too expensive. I don’t want people to have to go through what I went through.

    A community college exists so that story doesn’t have to repeat. It makes education accessible and affordable. Community college sets students up for success, with a credible path to a well-paying career and a life of purpose, whether it runs through university transfer, a nursing or other professional license, a skilled trade, or service in law enforcement, fire, healthcare, or the military.

    Today, community colleges also offer students a place not only to learn but to build an important social network on campus, along with critical paid internships and apprenticeships.

    As for policy and curriculum: The Board of Trustees drives policy through high-level governance, and faculty drive curriculum. The board’s job is to align resources so faculty can deliver the best and most appropriate curriculum for students.

    • In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

      • Yes. The Board of Trustees recently approved planning to provide affordable student housing on its campuses, at a current anticipated cost of roughly $180 million. Affordable student housing is a critical component that nearly every student needs.

    In Orange County, housing rental costs are extremely high. The district intends to provide student housing at less than 20% of area median income. By making student housing extremely affordable, students can focus on their education instead of working multiple jobs to pay rent or commuting long distances.

    The Board of Trustees and administration are reviewing a variety of financing options, following the district’s own funding sequence: state housing grants first, with a portion of basic aid property tax receipts and other infrastructure financing tools. I spent 26 years leading teams on critical missions in challenging environments, delivering large projects on time and on budget with someone else’s money, and seeking out funding opportunities. I know how projects slip, and how to keep them from slipping.

    • What actions would you suggest to prevent a cyberattack similar to the Canvas data breach in May? How can your district ensure students’ information is safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

      • Start with an honest premise: The Canvas breach happened inside the vendor, not on any campus. All 116 California community colleges run Canvas and were affected by the cybersecurity data breach.

    The district’s technology leadership is already proactive. It recently invested in additional cybersecurity technology to further prevent data breaches and fraudulent enrollment.

    My suggested actions target the vendor door the attackers used. I would add security requirements and breach notification to every vendor contract, give vendors only the student data they need, verify compliance with independent assessments, and drill the response before it is needed.

    Fraudulent enrollment is one of the major problems facing California’s community colleges. Fake students and AI bots sign up through the admissions process and enroll in classes, taking legitimate seats from actual students and stealing financial aid. In a single recent year, scammers stole more than $13 million in federal and state financial aid statewide, and at the peak, roughly one in three applications was flagged as suspicious.

    I’m a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and the FBI’s InfraGard partnership, and I’ve spent a career protecting people and systems. Security is a standing obligation, not a crisis response.

    • 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 less.)

      • AI is already in the classroom. Google put Gemini and NotebookLM in front of 2 million students and faculty statewide, and the Chancellor’s Office issued safety guidance this spring. The question isn’t whether to allow it, but whether we govern it or let it govern us.

    Expand it where it builds capability: midnight tutoring for a working student, practice questions for a nursing candidate, robot programming for a machinist, and readiness for a workforce that already uses these tools. I use AI daily. It’s a strong assistant and a poor substitute for judgment.

    Limit it where it erodes what college exists to build: thinking, writing, and defending a position. No AI should grade a student’s work without a human reading it. No student data should feed a tool the district hasn’t vetted. Every syllabus should say plainly what’s allowed; a rule students can’t find isn’t a rule.

    The board sets policy, not pedagogy; faculty decide how AI fits their courses. Our district wrote AI guidelines for employees. Students deserve the same protections in board policy, with a published list of vetted tools and published results, so nobody learns less because a machine did the work.

    • 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 less.)

      • You can’t effectively teach civil discourse from a slide deck. Students learn it by practicing it: structured, supervised, and face-to-face with people who see the world differently.

    The best model I’ve seen is Braver Angels, built on the rule that both sides show up in equal numbers. Its College Debates and Discourse Alliance, run with BridgeUSA and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, puts students on their feet wrestling with real contested questions, then requires them to listen, reflect, and disagree accurately without contempt.

    I want our district to bring Braver Angels-style debates to Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College, inviting students, faculty, and residents into the same room. The Board of Trustees’ role is to level-set expectations and create an environment that is welcoming to all students, regardless of their personal beliefs or political ideologies.

    I served 26 years with Americans and allies of every political stripe. Disagreement never stopped us from finishing the mission. Our students deserve that same training: courage, humility, discipline, dignity, and respect.

    • 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 less.)

      • I joined the Marine Corps in 1996, after college, and served for 26 years. I commanded an 841-person security and emergency services battalion and managed programs worth up to $2.21 billion. I’ve also taught and advised college students, helped write and refine grants, and built veteran suicide-prevention partnerships across Orange County. I’m a first-generation graduate who took 15 years to pay off student loans. I know what a tuition bill feels like. As a trustee, I want to ensure current students don’t graduate with insurmountable debt.

    My priorities: Disciplined finances, more Area 4 families in the Promise and Emeritus programs that already exist, campuses that are physically and digitally safe, and a credible career pathway for every student.

    Leadership taught me a few things. Meet people where they are, and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Listen to understand, not to reply. Get clear on the mission, then align every dollar and every hour to what matters most. When new information arrives, adjust; a plan that ignores changing conditions is a liability. And no one succeeds alone. A district of nearly 70,000 students works only when trustees, the chancellor, faculty, staff, and the community pull together.

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

      • A pack mule.

    The Marine Corps still teaches mule packing in the Sierra because when the roads end and the helicopters can’t fly, a mule gets the supplies up the mountain and the wounded back down. Nobody puts a mule on a recruiting poster. It just does the work.

    That’s the kind of trustee I want to be. A mule carries more than its share without complaint. It’s sure-footed on bad ground, which is useful when you’re managing a budget of nearly $1 billion a year, when expenses outrun revenue. It’s stubborn about the right things: It won’t step off a cliff because someone in a hurry told it to. And it’s patient enough to walk beside people who are still finding their footing, which is what a community college does for a first-generation student, a veteran coming home, or a parent going back to finish a degree.

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

      • “Higher Love” by Kit DesLauriers.

    My wife and I met Kit this summer at the Veterans Talking to Veterans Stronger Together Summit in Dubois, Wyoming, and read the book afterward. In 2006, Kit became the first person to climb, then ski, the highest peak on every continent, finishing on Everest with her husband beside her. What stayed with me isn’t the skiing. It’s how she pursues excellence. Kit is candid about fear, asking for help, and paying her own way when nobody was handing out money. She treats risk as something you manage with judgment and good partners, not something you pretend away. And the summit is only half the job. The descent, where you’re tired and margins are thin, is where people get hurt.

    I read it as a mountaineer and man of faith who has stood on high places and felt small, and as a husband whose best climbs were never solo. Both keep a person honest at altitude and in office. The book is a hero’s journey. So is every student’s adventure. Getting them in is the climb. Getting them through, safely and whole, is the descent. Finish what you start, with people you love beside you.


    Endorsed by: 

    • 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. 

    • Moms on the Ground — California parental-rights advocacy group that has worked in coalition with Moms for Liberty and other organizations promoting parental-rights and school-choice/charter-school policies. (momsonthegroundca, Moms for Liberty)

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

    • Some from Campaign site - see for more:

      • Log Cabin Republicans of Orange County (explicitly anti-trans group)

      • Lincoln Club of Orange County

      • Republican Party of Orange County


    Candidate in the News:

    • None found outside the questionnaire above


    Public Voting Record:

    • None found, has not held office yet


    Follow the Money: 

    • From netfile.com - only listing those for $1k or more,, search site for more:

      • John Black - paid to John Black - 08/31/2026 $1,800.00

      • John Black - paid to Victory Fundraising and Events - 9/05/2026 $1,500.00

      • John Black - paid to John Black - 08/20/2026 $1,400.00

      • John Black - paid to John Black - 10/05/2026 $1,200.00

      • John Black - paid to CAMPAIGN FOR MENTAL HEALTH - YESON63.ORG - COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, FAMILIES, AND CONSUMERS, AND OTHER SUPPORTERS OF INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FUNDING - 09/29/2004 $1,100.00

      • John Black - paid to John Black - 08/26/2026 $1,020.00

      • John Black - paid to Lysa Ray Campaign Services - 08/24/2026 $1,000.00

      • John Williams - paid to John Black - 10/09/2026 $1,000.00

  • South OC Community College District Area 4 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “KARIMA FELDHUS | AGE: 62 | Executive Dean

    It is an honor to seek your vote for the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees.

    For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my career to public higher education. I have had the privilege of serving as a dean at both Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, working alongside faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners to expand educational opportunities and strengthen our colleges.

    As Executive Dean of Extended Learning at Saddleback College, I oversee programs that provide lifelong learning, workforce training, adult education, and community education to thousands of students each year. I have managed multimillion-dollar budgets, secured grant funding, and developed partnerships that prepare students for meaningful careers while meeting local workforce needs.

    As your trustee, I will promote academic excellence, student success, fiscal responsibility, and accountability. I believe public service means listening, making thoughtful decisions, respecting

    diverse perspectives, and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. My commitment is to preserve the district’s tradition of excellence while expanding opportunities that benefit students, employees, employers, and our community.

    I bring experience, integrity, and a collaborative approach to governance. I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote.”


    Email: karimafortrustee@gmail.com 


    Campaign Website: https://karimafortrustee.com/ 

    Priorities: 

    • Put students first and protect academic excellence

    • Safeguard precious taxpayer dollars through accountability and responsible stewardship

    • Keep our colleges affordable and accessible

    • Support outstanding faculty and staff

    • Strengthen career and workforce pathways

    • Expand opportunities for students at every stage of life

    • Provide independent, experienced leadership focused on results


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • 2026 Ballotpedia survey responses

    • From LinkedIn - Experience

      • Academic Administrator - Saddleback College · Full-time (Oct 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 1 mo)

      • Dean of Liberal Arts and AANAPISI - Irvine Valley College (Nov 2015 - Sep 2016 · 11 mos)

      • Irvine Valley College - 7 yrs 2 mos

        • Dean, Humanities and Languages, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Library Services - Jan 2009 - Aug 2015 · 6 yrs 8 mos

        • Dean of Business Science and Fine Arts - Jul 2008 - Dec 2008 · 6 mos

      • Dean of Business and Social Sciences - Long Beach City College (Nov 2007 - Jun 2008 · 8 mos)

      • Dean of the Schools of Humanities & Languages and Fine Arts - Irvine Valley College (Jan 2005 - Oct 2007 · 2 yrs 10 mos)

      • Associate Dean of Fine Arts and Language Arts - San Jacinto College (Jul 2002 - Jan 2005 · 2 yrs 7 mos)

      • Director of the Language Acquisition Center - University of Houston (1998 – 2002)

      • Instructional Technology Specialist/Director of the Modern Languages Lab - St. Mary's College of Maryland (1997 – 1998)

      • Assistant Professor - Emporia State University (Aug 1995 - Dec 1997 · 2 yrs 5 mos)

      • Assistant Professor - Ecole normale supérieure de Kouba (Oct 1987 - Aug 1990 · 2 yrs 11 mos)

    • LinkedIn - Education

      • The University of Kansas - Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction

      • The University of Kansas - Master's degree, Linguistics

      • University of Algiers - Bachelor's degree, ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    First, Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College must continue preparing students for transfer, good jobs, career advancement, and lifelong learning. AI and technology are changing the workplace quickly, and our colleges need to stay ahead of those changes. That means listening to employers, strengthening partnerships, and making sure our programs give students the education and skills they need to succeed.

    Second, we must remain fiscally strong. I believe every precious taxpayer dollar should support our educational mission and benefit students. Board decisions should be transparent, based on good data, and made with an understanding of their long-term impact.

    I am prepared to address both because I have spent 21 years serving Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges. I know our programs, budgets, operations, students, and communities. I have developed programs, managed large budgets, and built partnerships that open doors for students. As a trustee, I would bring that experience to every decision and always ask: Does this strengthen our colleges and create better opportunities for students?

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

    • Community colleges are essential to providing accessible, affordable education and creating pathways to universities, careers, and lifelong learning. They serve students at every stage of life, from recent high school graduates and working adults to career changers and older adults.

    For a governing board, the role is to set clear policy and strategic direction, ensure fiscal responsibility, and hold the district accountable for serving students and the community. Trustees should ask tough questions, examine outcomes, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. They should not micromanage curriculum or day-to-day college operations. Curriculum belongs primarily with faculty through established academic and shared-governance processes.

    Having spent 21 years in leadership at Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College, I understand the important distinction between governance and administration. As a trustee, I would focus on the big picture: protecting access and affordability, supporting excellent academic and workforce programs, maintaining strong fiscal stewardship, and ensuring our colleges continue adapting to the changing needs of students, employers, and the communities we serve.

    • In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

    • I strongly support the Board of Trustees’ decision to move forward with student housing at Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. As a trustee, my goal would be clear: make housing an affordable pathway to student success while protecting taxpayers and our colleges’ core educational mission.

    Housing should prioritize students with demonstrated financial need or housing insecurity who are pursuing degrees, certificates, transfer, and career education pathways. In Orange County, housing costs can be a significant barrier to completing college. Affordable student housing can provide the stability students need to remain enrolled and complete their education.

    As a trustee, I would insist on clear and equitable eligibility criteria, realistic financial projections, transparent costs, and ongoing accountability. Success should be measured not simply by the number of beds provided, but by whether housing helps students stay in school, complete their education, transfer, and move into good careers.

    Tax dollars are precious, and every major investment must demonstrate value to students and the public. Our primary mission is education. I would move student housing forward in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way while protecting funding for instruction, academic programs, and essential student services.

    • What actions would you suggest to prevent a cyberattack similar to the Canvas data breach in May? How can your district ensure students’ information is safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)

    • Protecting student information must be a fundamental responsibility of the district. In my 21 years of leadership at Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges, I have seen how dependent our students, faculty, and staff have become on technology and how important it is to protect the information entrusted to us. Cybersecurity is not simply an IT issue; it is an institutional responsibility.

    The district must maintain strong cybersecurity standards, including multi-factor authentication, regular security updates and assessments, secure data backups, employee training, and appropriate access controls. We also rely on outside technology providers, so our contracts must hold vendors accountable for protecting student data and promptly reporting breaches.

    Just as important, we need a regularly tested response plan so that if a breach occurs, the district can act quickly, communicate clearly, and assist those affected.

    As a trustee, I would expect regular reporting on cybersecurity risks, preparedness, vendor compliance, and response planning. I have spent much of my career working with budgets, technology implementation, compliance, and institutional operations. I understand that good governance means asking questions before problems occur, investing wisely in prevention, and making the protection of student information an ongoing priority.

    • 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 less.)

    • Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing education and the workplace. Our responsibility is to prepare students for that reality while protecting academic integrity, critical thinking, privacy, and the human interaction that is central to learning.

    AI should be expanded when it enhances learning; for example, helping students explore ideas, receive appropriate tutoring support, develop workplace skills, analyze information, or learn how AI is being used in their chosen professions. Students should graduate knowing how to use these tools responsibly and how to evaluate their accuracy and limitations.

    At the same time, AI should not replace a student’s own thinking, writing, problem-solving, or creativity. Its use should be limited when it undermines the learning objectives of an assignment, compromises academic integrity, exposes confidential information, or substitutes technology for meaningful interaction with faculty.

    I do not believe a governing board should dictate classroom-by-classroom use of AI. Faculty should establish appropriate academic standards and guardrails within their disciplines, supported by clear district policies on privacy, security, ethics, and academic integrity. The goal should be responsible innovation: embracing useful technology while preserving the quality and integrity of education.

    • 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 less.)

    • Community colleges should be places where students feel comfortable expressing their views, listening to different perspectives, and learning from one another. We do not have to agree on every issue, but we should be able to disagree respectfully.

    I have seen the value of this through my work with Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute. Our older adult students bring tremendous life and professional experience to the classroom. They have lived through different periods of history, raised families, built careers, and contributed to their communities. There is a great deal our younger students can learn from them, and they can learn from younger generations as well. I would like to see more opportunities for that kind of intergenerational exchange.

    We can also encourage civil discourse through student forums, moderated discussions, guest speakers with different perspectives, and activities that teach students to evaluate information, question assumptions, and distinguish facts from opinions.

    As a trustee, I would support free expression and respectful dialogue. I do not believe our colleges should tell students what to think. Our role is to educate them, expose them to different ideas, and give them the critical thinking skills to reach their own informed conclusions.

    • 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 less.)

    • Community colleges open doors. I know firsthand what this opportunity means. As a first-generation college student, I worked entry-level jobs while putting myself through school and raising a family. I understand students balancing education, work, family, and financial responsibilities because I have walked in their shoes.

    For 21 years at Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, I have dedicated my career to creating opportunities for others. At IVC, as dean of multiple schools, I supported students pursuing transfer, academic achievement, and careers.

    At Saddleback, I lead Extended Learning programs serving diverse communities. Our Emeritus Institute serves more than 5,000 older adults. Adult Education provides high school equivalency and English-language pathways to education and employment. Through OASIS, adults with disabilities develop independent living and workforce skills, including training at Kaiser Permanente. Foster and Kinship Care Education supports Orange County families. Eight years leading Extended Learning have deepened my understanding of our communities’ diverse needs.

    This is what community colleges do best: meet people where they are and open doors to opportunity. After serving our colleges and communities, I feel called to continue that service as a trustee. My knowledge of our district and the people we serve has prepared me to lead at the Board level, with fiscal responsibility, accountability, and a focus on student success.

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

    • I would probably choose an owl. Owls represent wisdom and experience, which I think are important qualities for a trustee.

    After spending more than 30 years working in education, I’ve learned that you don’t always need to be the loudest person in the room. Sometimes you need to listen, pay attention, ask good questions, and then make the best decision you can.

    And an owl seems appropriate for a college district. It represents learning and knowledge, and it keeps its eyes open. I plan to do the same, especially when it comes to how we spend taxpayer dollars.

    Plus, I just like owls!

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

    • The best book I’ve read this year is “The Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner, which I read as part of Saddleback College’s One Book, One College program.

    I enjoyed his exploration of happiness across different cultures and especially his focus on community, belonging, purpose, and human connection. These ideas resonated with me because I see every day in education how important it is for people to feel connected and have a sense of purpose. I also had the pleasure of meeting Eric during his visit to Saddleback and continuing our conversation over coffee at Peet’s Café. That made the book even more meaningful to me and left me thinking about what makes both a fulfilling life and a strong community.


    Endorsed by: 

    • From campaign site - see site for more:

      • Dr. Dixie Bullock - Retired College President · Acting SOCCCD Chancellor

        • Dean of Health Sciences and Nursing Professor

      • Carolyn Inmon - President, South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees

      • Paul Medina - Former Member, California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Calbright College Board of Trustees


    Candidate in the News:

    • None found outside of Social Media posts


    Public Voting Record:

    • None found, has not held office yet


    Follow the Money: 

    • From netfile.com 

      • Karima for Trustee 2026 - paid to COPS Voter Guide, Inc. - 08/24/2026 $2,534.00

      • Karima Feldhus for SOCCD Trustee 2026 - paid to COPS Voter Guide, Inc. - 08/24/2026 $2,534.00

Irvine Ranch Water District

  • Irvine Ranch Water District Board Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “PEER A. SWAN | Director, Irvine Ranch Water District, Area 5

    As a Director of the Irvine Ranch Water District for 46 years, I have played a large role in making the District a nationally recognized leader. We pioneered the use of recycled water,

    promoted conservation, funded a program to replace worn-out plant and equipment, fully funded retirement, and built a large emergency groundwater storage facility.

    IRWD has gone from 95% dependency on expensive imported water to where more than 85% of our water is local, more reliable and less costly.

    We have achieved this high level of service and reliability while maintaining rates that are by far the lowest in the County.

    I spearheaded the creation of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary where urban runoff is naturally treated, while providing needed habitat and accessible public open space.

    As a Founding Director and Chairman for four years of the National Water Research Institute we funded research to improve water quality.

    You have my continued commitment to keep the District an innovative leader dedicated to quality service that is low priced, environmentally sensitive, and consistent with the high standards of the community we live in.

    Please Re-elect Peer Swan”


    Email: Available via a contact page on his campaign website. 


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

    Priorities: 

    • Reliable, Clean Water with Lowest Rates

    • Community Public Access to IRWD Facilities

    • The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary 

    • No Unfunded Retirement Liability


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Peer Swan was elected to the Board of Directors in 1979 and has been serving off-and-on since then, including 15 years as the Director of the Board. He was most recently elected in 2022. 

      • President: 1982 to 1995; 2006

      • Vice president: 1980, 1981, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2017

    • Other positions include; (source)

      • Water Advisory Committee of Orange County (Fmr. Chairman),

      • Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors (member)

      • Orange County Sanitation Board (member for 15 years, Vice-chair for 6)

      • Ground Water Replenishment Joint Committee (Founding board member)

      • Southern California Water Committee (Treasurer) 

      • San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (Fmr. President)

      • Steering Committee of the Southern California Water Dialog Committee (member)

      • Association of California Water Agencies (Fmr. Board of Directors)

      • California Association of Sanitation Agencies (Fmr. Chairman of Directors Committee)

      • Water Supply Pillar of the One Water One Watershed (member) 

      • Board of the Urban Water Institute (member)

    • Per two LA Times articles, Peer ran for Congress as a Republican in the late 1980s. (x) (x) He lost to another Republican, Christopher Cox. 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • None Found


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Per his campaign website, “As a statewide leader in the water community, I understand the complex legal, environmental, and infrastructure challenges facing California water.  In times of drought and climate uncertainty, my deep institutional knowledge of the statewide system ensures our local supply remains safe, steady and secure.”

    • Swan responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

      • Question: Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected. 

      • Answer: “To maintain and enhance the most reliable and high-quality water supply in the county while continuing to provide it to our customers at the lowest cost in the county.

      • Question: What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? 

      • Answer: “Water is an essential need, and I work to provide a highly reliable supply of it to our customers. We also collect and reprocess sewer water to provide reliable irrigation water. Finally, we treat urban runoff prior to it reaching the protected environment of Newport’s Back Bay. We built the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary on 300 acres of district land to provide needed habitat and opened it to the public for their enjoyment. The site also inexpensively removes excess nutrients from the water prior to reaching the sensitive Upper Newport Bay — a win-win-win solution.”

      • Question: Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work?

      • Answer: “We provide essential water deliveries, treat and convert the resulting wastewater to create a highly reliable supply of irrigation water and treat urban water runoff using natural processes to protect the sensitive Upper Newport Bay”

      • 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? 

      • Answer: My service includes membership on the boards of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California,, Orange County Sanitation District, Association of California Water District’s, Urban Water Institute, and the National Water Research Institute where I worked,to improve water quality, increase water reliability while controlling costs.

      • Question: What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well?

      • Answer: “Being nationally recognized as an innovative leader in the water industry, fully funding the district’s retirement obligations, developing a highly reliable water supply while keeping rates the lowest in the county.”

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

      • Answer: “‘Sapiens’ and the sequel ‘Homo Deus’ which explore the author’s view of the evolution of humans and the societies that they live in and project this journey into the AI future.”

    Endorsed by: 


    Candidate in the News:


    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • In 2014, the PAC “Friends of Peer Swan” contributed $2,000 to “Continuing the Republican Revolution”.

  • Irvine Ranch Water District Board Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “JEFFREY HARLAN | Attorney/Planning Commissioner

    After 45 years of the same, we need new leadership for Division 5. I bring not only the experience and expertise, but also a fresh perspective to guide the Irvine Ranch Water District through this critical time.

    For more than 20 years, I have been a dedicated Orange County public servant and community volunteer. As the first City Councilmember representing Eastside Costa Mesa, I helped create

    and renovate neighborhood parks, deliver new bike lanes, upgrade streets and alleys, and expand police and fire services. With my leadership, our Council delivered balanced budgets every year.

    As a land use attorney and Chair of the Planning Commission, I have committed my 30-year career to working with governments to improve communities and protect our environment. I understand all aspects of responsible development, including preserving our

    water supply, conserving natural resources and open space, and investing in our infrastructure.

    I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and earned a law degree focusing on environmental law from Vermont Law School.

    As your Director, I will ensure our precious resources are protected so you can enjoy a safe, reliable, and affordable water supply.

    I appreciate your consideration and hope to earn your vote.

    www.Harlan4water.com“


    Email: 


    Campaign Website: https://www.harlan4water.com/

    Priorities: 

    • “RATE INCREASES ARE UNCONTROLLED

      • Every year, we are subjected to a rate increase. We've faced jumps of nearly 50 percent over the last 5 years alone. I will ensure an open and transparent discussion to help manage costs and keep the IRWD budget in check.

    • WE NEED A MODERN VISION

      • My opponent has occupied the Board seat for over 46 years! He hasn't had a contested race since 2018. No one is entitled to a lifetime tenure, and such institutional entrenchment is not good for any organization. I will bring a fresh and diverse perspective.

    • GREATER TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY

      • The public cannot participate remotely in Board meetings. In today's electronic age, this is unacceptable and reasonable. Every customer should be able to conveniently watch, join in, and later review a Board meeting without having to drive to Irvine.”


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Harlan served on the Costa Mesa City Council from 2020-2024, running for reelection in 2024 on the platforms listed below. He lost this reelection race to Jeff Pettis, an openly MAGA candidate.

      • Tackling Homelessness

      • Ensuring Public Safety & Reducing Crime

      • Preserving & Enhancing Eastside Neighborhoods

      • Planning for Smart Growth Citywide

      • Investing in Costa Mesa

      • Protecting The Environment

      • Creating Safer Streets for Cyclists & Pedestrians

      • Reimagining Public Spaces

    • Between 2010 and 2012, Jeffrey wrote a weekly column for the Los Angeles Times' Daily Pilot newspaper where he covered civic affairs, urban planning, and business. (x) 

    • While serving on the Costa Mesa City Council, he attended the annual June raising of the Pride Flag at City Hall every year. 

    • Harlan was appointed as Chair of the Costa Mesa Planning Commission in June 2025. (x)

    • He’s an attorney, with a law degree from the Vermont Law and Graduate School. He specialized in Environmental and Land Use law. (x)

    • Jeff attended OC Pride 2024 with then-Mayor John Stephens, and was photographed holding a Pride flag and smiling. This was a ticketed event held at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. (x) (x) 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • Orange Coast Huddle

    • OC Young Dems

    • Human Rights Campaign OC/Long Beach

    • Voter Choice Irvine

    • Andy Godinez for NMUSD Area 7 (Progressive candidate for NMUSD)

    • Costa Mesa Democrats

    • Orange County Employee Association (Union)

    • Costa Mesa Alliance for Better Streets

    • Robert Garcia (openly gay Congressman)

    • Costa Mesa Mutual Aid

    • Chris Kluwe for Assembly

    • UNITE HERE Local 11


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Harlan responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

      • Question: Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected.

      • Answer: “My priority is to ensure that the Irvine Ranch Water District provides safe, reliable, and affordable water to its customers. Unfortunately, repeated IRWD rate increases have pushed the average residential water bill up nearly 40% over recent years.

    I want to ensure 1) customers are receiving the best value for their service, 2) our taxpayer dollars are invested wisely in necessary infrastructure, and 3) residents can participate easily in public meetings.

    My opponent has held this seat for nearly five decades, and we need a fresh, modern, and diverse perspective to guide IRWD for the next 50 years.

    • Question: What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? 

    • Answer: “Safeguarding our water resources is of paramount importance. As the IRWD Director for District 5, my role will be to represent — and advocate for the specific needs of — the communities in southern Irvine (including UCI, Turtle Rock, and the IBC), parts of Newport Beach (Santa Ana Heights, Newport Coast), and a portion of Eastside Costa Mesa.

    As a former city councilmember and community advocate for 20 years, I recognize the importance of working directly with residents, businesses, and local organizations to make the best decisions for our communities. Good governance requires not just technical knowledge, but also understanding a community’s interests, concerns, and aspirations.”

    • Question: Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work?

    • Answer: “For most people, the only connection to the water district is turning on your tap and getting your monthly bill. But if people want to learn more or engage in the board’s activities, then it should be easy to do so.

    Unfortunately, today the public cannot participate remotely in board meetings. I want to improve accessibility and transparency — every customer should be able to conveniently watch, join in, and review a board meeting without having to drive to Irvine.”

    • 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? 

    • Answer: “For more than 30 years, I’ve dedicated my career to working with governments to improve our communities and protect our environment. As a former city councilmember and current chair of the Costa Mesa Planning Commission, I have an intimate understanding of not only creating public policy, but also how to implement it.

    I have worked closely with neighbors, local businesses, and other public agencies to deliver new parks, roads and bike lanes, balanced budgets, and much-needed housing for our communities. And as a land use attorney and urban planner, I understand all aspects of responsible development, including preserving our water supply, conserving natural resources and open spaces, and investing in our infrastructure. Being a good public leader requires one to be thoughtful, accessible, and open-minded.”

    • Question: What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well?

    • Answer: “In every election campaign, I have spent countless hours walking precincts, talking to residents, and learning what is really important to our neighbors. That is the simplest way to build trust. Whether it’s leading a commission hearing, heading a public workshop, or attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony, I’ve continued that ongoing dialogue to inform my decision-making. I believe this is what the job of any public official demands, and I intend to take the same approach as the IRWD Director.”


    Endorsed by:  

    • United States Congressman Dave Min

    • California State Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris

    • Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley

    • City of Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder

    • City of Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens

    • Newport Mesa Unified School District Trustee Carol Crane

    • Mesa Water District Board Director Marice DePasquale

    • Coast Community College District Trustee Liz Dorn Parker


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • While on the Costa Mesa City Council, he voted every year to acknowledge LGBTQ+ Pride Month and fly the Pride Flag during June. 


    Follow the Money: 

    • Contributions to Harlan’s campaign are not publicly visible. 

    • Harlan contributed to the following campaigns: 

      • $100 to Katrina Foley for Supervisor 2026

      • $250 to Andy Godinez for NMUSD School Board 2026

      • $65 to Katrina Foley for Supervisor 2026

      • $200 to Rising Tide Community PAC

      • $157 to Katrina Foley for Supervisor 2026

      • $100 to Katrina Foley for Supervisor 2022

Municipal Water District of Orange County

  • Municipal Water District of OC Division 2 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “LARRY D. DICK | Director Division 2, Municipal Water District of Orange County

    Clean, reliable and affordable water doesn't just happen, it takes experienced leadership. As Division 2 Director on the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) Board and currently serving as Board President, I remain devoted to developing reliable

    and economical supplies of safe, high quality drinking water for our

    communities.

    For twenty years I represented Orange County as a Director of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MET), serving 19 million Californians.

    During my service on MET and MWDOC my top priorities were water quality and reliability, alongside environmental stewardship and water sustainability. Our region faces real challenges ahead: Uncertainty in Colorado River negotiations, growing impacts of climate change and continuing issues on the State Water Project, all requiring experienced leadership.

    My experience extends across the water community, including the Executive Committee of the Special Districts of Orange County, member of the Water Advisory Committee of Orange County including two terms as President and a member of the Executive Committee of the Urban Water Institute.

    I ask for your support in continuing this important work by casting your vote for me. Thank you for your consideration.

    Respectfully

    Larry Dick”


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: Larry does not appear to have a campaign website. All sources appear to lead to his official webpage on the OCMWD platform, which is not a campaign website. 

    Priorities: 

    • None Found


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Larry is an incumbent, having been first elected in 2000, 26 years ago.  Prior to becoming a board member on the OC Municipal Water District, he served for several years on the Serrano Water District and SWD Recreation, Inc. 

    • He’s on the board of directors at the OC Taxpayers Association - an organization that consistently aligns itself with and funds the campaigns of conservative candidates across Orange County, including candidates with openly anti-LGBTQ stances. This is not a 100% track record, as they’ve also supported moderate Democrats for office, but a general trend. 

      • In general, the OC Taxpayers Association is fiscally conservative and business-focused, not overtly anti-LGBTQ. That said, candidates running on anti-LGBTQ or anti-immigrant, etc platforms, have not shown to be a line in the sand for the organization. 

    • Larry endorsed AJ Ricci for Orange City Council. AJ is a conservative candidate who donated his own funds to the explicitly anti-LGBTQ slate of candidates running for Orange USD. (x)

    • In 2014, Dick held a campaign event for his re-election with hosts Ken Calvert (U.S. Congressman, Republican, deeply anti-LGBTQ, anti-POC, anti-woman voter record), Bob Huff (Fmr. Senate Republican Leader), Fred Whitaker (Fmr. Chair of the OC GOP, openly spoke about using transphobic propaganda in school board races to convert voters), and ‘special guest’ Kenneth L. Khachigian, Esq. (Former Senior Advisor to President Ronald Reagan). (x)

    • Larry’s campaign posts on his social media appear to be largely AI-Generated. 

    • His campaign treasurer is Lysa Ray Campaign Services, which has also worked on the unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign for Travis Allen, who is considered to be "California's Trump." He has used the slogans "Take Back California" and "Make California Great Again" for his campaign. She also was the campaign treasurer for OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and was involved in a minor campaign finance controversy, where she took the blame for incorrectly filed financial information. And perhaps most importantly, Lysa Ray, who was compensated as a campaign strategist for this campaign, served as County Supervisor Andrew Do’s treasurer during the events that led to his current downfall and FBI investigation for financial corruption. Lysa Ray is representing anti-LGBTQ school board candidates and other conservative candidates up and down SoCal this election season, as well as the last election season. 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • OC Around the Table

    • Karl Seckel (his fellow Trustee, District 4, endorsed by OC Huddle)

    • Congressman Ken Calvert (Republican, voter record of opposition to LGBTQ rights, reproductive freedoms, any kind of regulatory control on ICE, etc)


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • Dick responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

      • Question: Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected.

      • Answer: “The goal is to continue to ensure that our water is safe, reliable, and abundant during all conditions and delivered in a cost-effective way to the residents of Orange County.”

      • Question: What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? 

      • Answer: “MWDOC provides a significant portion of the Orange County water supply, which is imported from the Colorado River or the State Water Project.

    The department acts as a planning agency for Orange County water, offers water savings programs, facilitates leak detection services, and provides water emergency response efforts. We facilitate education programs for public and private schools. Most importantly, we regularly bring more money into the county, through grants and outside funding, than we cost our citizens.”

    • Question: Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work?

    • Answer: “The best way to promote the activities and value of MWDOC to the residents of OC is through outreach. I regularly speak at Rotary, Lions, and Chamber events on the services MWDOC provides, along with water supply reports. I would also encourage the public to visit our website as well as attend any one of our committee or board meetings to learn about the activities of the district.”

    • 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?” 

    • Answer: “For over 20 years, I represented Orange County as a director of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MET), serving 19 million Californians. During my service on MET and MWDOC, I served as senior delegate, and my top priorities were water quality and reliability, alongside environmental stewardship and water sustainability.

    Our region faces real challenges ahead: uncertainty in Colorado River negotiations, growing impacts of climate change and continuing issues on the State Water Project, all requiring experienced leadership.

    My experience extends across the water community, including the executive committee of the Special Districts of Orange County, membership on the Water Advisory Committee of Orange County including two terms as president), and membership on the executive committee of the Urban Water Institute. I have learned that public service is rewarding and at times challenging. Sometimes there are no perfect answers, only the best answer to the current issue. At all times, the top priority is to provide safe and reliable water supplies.”

    • Question: What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well?

    • Answer: “It would be my hope that I have earned the trust of our community. I have served in leadership at our church, Rotary, the Santiago Canyon College Foundation Board, and the Chambers of Commerce in Orange and Garden Grove. I have always held sacred the trust given to my stewardship of assets, both fiscal and physical, as well as the importance of maintaining the good reputation of the organizations with which I am involved.”

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

    • Answer: Declined to answer.


    Endorsed by: 

    • John Moorlach, Former State Senator. (Moorlach is a former state legislator out of Irvine, who received praise during his time in office from anti-LGBTQ hate group California Family Council for his reticence to support Concurrent Assembly Resolution 99 in 2019, which, among other things, urges religious leaders to counsel on LGBTQ matters from a place of love and compassion, while recognizing the psychological and emotional harms associated with conversion therapy.) (x) (x)

    • 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. 

    • Dick does not have a campaign website listing his endorsements as far as we could tell. 


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • $1,000 from Townsend Public Affairs Inc (a Newport-Beach based lobbying firm whose campaign donations seem to span the political spectrum)

    • Larry’s own political campaign contributions to other candidates appear to be somewhat bipartisan.

  • Municipal Water District of OC Division 2 Candidate


    Candidate Statement: None Found


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: None Found - but you can find his campaign website for his presidential campaign here. 

    Priorities: 

    • None Found


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Armando is a perennial candidate who shows up on ballots most election cycles.. Here’s his “Armando for President” campaign website. (x) 

    • His rhetoric is far right sprinkled with a handful of left rhetoric. He is in favor of a forced birthing policy and claims ‘Kamala supports abortions that kill babies’. Says ‘she is married to a Zionist Jew’. We are choosing not to promote these views by linking directly to his social media, but it can be found if you search for it.  

    When the attempt to recall Newsom took place he put his name into the hat for Governor. His old governor website says: “FUTURE POLITICAL GOAL: Democratic Political Party Nomination for President of the United States of America as a historical vote to be the First Latino President in the advancement of Racial Equity & Inclusion 2024.”

    • In Orange County, he’s also run for the OC Board of Education and the Orange County Municipal Water Board. 

    • He has made a number of posts on his Twitter account representing; Bibi Netanyahu as Hitler, the Israeli flag with the swastika, while acknowledging the genocide of the Palestinian people. 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • None Found


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • The following is the full essay on his campaign page for his 2028 Presidential Run (separate from his 2024 Presidential Run). “I am Armando "Mando" Perez-Serrato and I will be running for President of the United States of America in 2028 as I did in 2024. I will be running as a working-class Democratic candidate.

    In 2024, I had the foresight and courage to run against Biden and the Democratic Establishment because I knew they were going to lose and they did. If you want to win in 2028 #VoteMando.

    For 2028, the Democratic Establishment will abandon democracy yet again by Anointing Gavin Newsom and he will lose just like Kamala. They both have the same policies, come from the same place, and believe in the same things that have resulted in Catastrophic results here in California. They both destroyed San Francisco together, they both destroyed California together and now they both want to destroy America together. 

    Voters in swing states will not vote for them because they don't want their state to turn into California. Here in California Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris are responsible for making crime legal, rent/ mortgage is the highest in the country, highest taxes, highest grocery/gas prices, taxpayers paying for transgender surgeries, open borders, Billions in fraud of tax payer money and a homeless apocalypse. Men especially, younger men 18-35 and Latinos will not vote for Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris as proven in 2024.

    The Democratic Party needs new, younger and dynamic candidates like me that put the working class first. Latino Voters will decide who becomes President in 2028. 

    I am the perfect Latino candidate that can win in 2028 by achieving National Latino support, obtaining more votes from men and the idea of electing the "First" Latino President will create excitement in the electorate. Voters will want to be part of something historical similar to what happened with Obama. I am seeking your endorsement and support to be a Nationally Recognized Presidential Candidate to win in 2028 or be selected for Vice President. 

    We already had a Black President and Vice President so that is no longer new or a novelty and as seen in 2024 Black people are not enough to vote in a Democrat, so if you want to win in 2028 you need to support a Latino and White candidate combination. It's time for Black people to support Latinos to become President or Vice President. Latinos have already helped Obama and Kamala be elected. Democrats if you want to win in 2028 #VoteMando.

    Thank You, MANDO” (x)

    • During his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, the LA Times asked him how he would direct the state to handle ICE if he won. Armando replied, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the sole responsibility of the federal government and the president of the United States. As a member of the Latino community my goal is to bring awareness to the border crisis that the Biden/Harris administration created!” (x)

      • NOTE: In April 2026, he posted on his Twitter account a sign that said ‘Mando for US Congress, No Trump No ICE’. 


    Endorsed by: 

    • None Found


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • None Found

  • Municipal Water District of OC Division 2 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “BOBBY LAPOINTE | Retail Investor

    As a husband, father of three, Army veteran, and longtime Orange County resident, I understand public service begins with responsibility. I am running for Division 2 Director of the Municipal Water District of Orange County to help secure safe, reliable, affordable water for our communities.

    My Army work in information technology and network security taught me to protect critical systems, evaluate risks, and respond under pressure. I earned bachelor’s degrees in History and Women and Gender Studies from California State University, Fullerton, along with associate degrees in Mathematics and Nutrition from Fullerton College. My education has been rooted in community needs—combining analytical thinking, health, and social understanding to better serve the public. As a retail investor managing my investment business, I evaluate risk, scrutinize costs, plan for the long term, and understand every dollar must serve a

    purpose.

    I will apply those skills to protecting groundwater, strengthening infrastructure, expanding water recycling, improving wildfire preparedness, and reducing dependence on imported water. I will

    ask questions, explain decisions openly, and treat public money with care.

    I will bring integrity, judgment, financial discipline, and a commitment to dependable water for every community I serve. Thank you for your consideration.”


    Email: bobby@lapointe2026.com 


    Campaign Website: https://lapointe2026.com/

    Bobby has this quote on his campaign website, “The Greatest Way You Can Thank A Veteran For Their Service Is By Being Civically Active And Vote.”

    Priorities: 

    • Lead On Data Centers Instead Of Reacting To Them

    • Write Policy For The River We Actually Have

    • Harden Our Infrastructure Against Attack

    • Treat This As A Policy Job, Because It Is One

    • Protect The Water That Fights Our Fires


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Bobby actively reached out to Pride at the Pier to ask about our guide and about the pledges we sent to candidates in 2024. We did not actively send those pledges out in 2026 due simply to bandwidth limitations, but because he asked about it, we sent the ‘Do No Harm’ pledge to him for review. He agreed almost immediately to take the Pledge. 

    That pledge a commitment to uphold principles of inclusivity, equity, and respect. This pledge is a crucial step in ensuring that our community remains a welcoming and supportive place for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. 

    “The Do No Harm Pledge includes the following commitments:

    • Acknowledgement of the Separation of Church and State: Affirmation of the importance of maintaining a clear separation between religious beliefs and public policy.

    • Open Dialogue with the LGBTQ+ Community: Commitment to seeking out and engaging in open and respectful dialogue with members of the LGBTQ+ community in your role.

    • Prioritizing Safety, Dignity, and Equity: Pledge to prioritize the safety, dignity, and equity of all constituents, including marginalized communities.”

    • Bobby endorses a ‘third path’ with data centers. His campaign website points out that there are already two data centers in Orange County (one in Anaheim, one in Irvine), and suggests that rather than banning data centers entirely or allowing them all in, that we take a ‘third path’; “There is a third option: lead. Tech companies need our land, workforce, resources, and markets to build and promote their products. That is leverage. We should use it rather than surrender it. How do we do that?

    By planning early. I propose a regional Orange County Data Center Water Suitability Study to identify factors that influence data center construction across the entire county, such as water availability and reliability, access to non-potable water, locations of culturally and spiritually significant tribal sites, and more.

    Looking out ten years, twenty years, and beyond, I want us to be able to say that we met this moment, and the presence of data centers in our communities led to the development of reliable water infrastructure that can serve our needs for generations to come.” Read the full context of his statements here.

    • He received his Bachelor of Arts (BA, Women and Gender Studies) from Cal State Fullerton in January 2025, having gone back to school later in life. 

    • Bobby is a veteran, having served as a sergeant in the US Army with a deployment to Iraq. 


    Social Media Links: 


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    NOTE: This is a very incomplete list. We have many mutuals with Bobby, these are just a handful.

    • Pride at the Pier

    • Carl Blankenhorn (progressive candidate for Fountain Valley School District)

    • Alex Mohajer (openly LGBTQ Irvine commissioner, fmr. Candidate for State Senate, fmr. President of the Stonewall Democrats)

    • Orange Coast Huddle

    • OC Young Democrats

    • OC Indivisible

    • The Charty B (partner of Pride at the Pier, tracks extremists across California politics)

    • The Feminist Uprising

    • LGBTQ Center OC

    • Mission Viejo Pride

    • WAVE

    • You Belong Outdoors and Beyond (partner of Pride at the Pier, trans-led hiking group)

    • Long Beach Rapid Response Network

    • Supporters of Public Education

    • Orange County Working Families Party


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • On his campaign website, Bobby says, “The Colorado River is drying up, and the policies we run on were written for a river that still had water in it.

    How much water Orange County imports depends entirely on where you stand. In north and central Orange County, 19 cities and agencies serving 2.5 million people pump about 85 percent of their demand from the groundwater basin and import the remaining 15 percent. In South Orange County, roughly 600,000 people rely almost entirely on imported supply, and in a drought some districts run at 100 percent imported. MWDOC is the agency that buys that imported water and sets the terms our 28 member agencies work under. Which means the decisions made at this board, covering supply contracts, conservation, recycling, and who gets to draw on the system, are the decisions that determine what happens here when the imported supply gets tighter.

    I'm running because those decisions are arriving faster than the board is prepared for them, and because we should be the ones making them rather than waiting to be handed the results.” 

    • Lapointe responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

      • Question: Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected. 

      • Answer: "My top priority is making sure Orange County has a plan for less imported water, because our local supply depends on imported water too.

    About two-thirds of the county’s water comes from the groundwater basin under north and central Orange County. That basin is managed, not unlimited. OCWD caps how much agencies may pump, currently at 85% of demand, and refilling it takes recycled water, captured storm flow, and purchased imported water. When imported supply tightens, both halves of our portfolio tighten together.

    The rules on the Colorado River just changed. The seven basin states failed to agree, so in August the federal government imposed its own framework and issued guidelines covering only 2027 and 2028. The long-term allocation is unresolved, and the next MWDOC board will serve while it is decided.

    MWDOC does not negotiate that alone, but it appoints four of Orange County’s representatives to Metropolitan’s board. Making sure Orange County is heard in that room is the most consequential thing this seat does.”

    • Question: What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why?” 

    • Answer: “Most residents will never interact directly with the Municipal Water District of Orange County, yet its work affects something they depend upon every day. It is a low-visibility but high-impact position.

    Its most important role is simple: When you turn on the tap, safe water should be there, and the bill should be one a family can absorb. Every dollar MWDOC spends flows through your local agency and onto your bill, so cost discipline isn’t separate from reliability; it’s a cornerstone of it. Achieving that requires more than technical expertise. A director must be a coalition builder.

    Orange County’s water future depends on cooperation among local water agencies, cities, regional partners, state and federal governments, community stakeholders and people with competing priorities. No single agency can solve these challenges alone.

    A director’s job is governance: listen to technical experts, scrutinize costs, ask difficult questions, build consensus where possible and advocate effectively for the people we represent.”

    • Question: Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work?

    • Answer: “MWDOC has run one of Southern California’s oldest water education programs since 1973, reaching about 70,000 students a year. The district isn’t silent. But its outreach reaches children, while the people paying the bills and casting the votes are adults.

    I’d close that gap three ways.

    First, use the channel residents already open: their water bill. MWDOC doesn’t bill anyone directly, but its 27 member agencies do. A short annual insert saying where your water came from, what it cost, and what’s coming would reach nearly every household. Not only in English and Spanish, but in Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese. Orange County is federally required to print ballots in those four languages. Water bills deserve the same standard.

    Second, show up in person. City councils, chambers, and neighborhood groups all take public comment. A director who appears at 10 of those a year does more than any brochure.

    Third, make the board’s own work legible. Agendas that explain items in ordinary language instead of acronyms, and rate changes explained before they take effect, not after.

    And measure it. If outreach doesn’t change what residents can tell you about their water, it’s marketing, not 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?

    • Answer: “I served as an Army Sergeant and deployed to Iraq. I learned leadership where failure was not hypothetical, where the job was to stay calm, make decisions with incomplete information, and the expectation to keep my team working when conditions turned bad.

    Droughts, earthquakes, pipeline failures, and cyberattacks do not arrive on a convenient schedule. Plans that have never been stress-tested tend to be binders no one has opened.

    My priorities are: First, treat cybersecurity as core infrastructure, not an IT line item. Water systems are a documented target. Second, plan honestly for a smaller Colorado River rather than assuming past allocations hold. Third, set policy on large industrial water users, including data centers, before that demand arrives.

    I studied history and women and gender studies at Cal State Fullerton, shaping how I approach leadership. History teaches you to think beyond the next election, to ask what a decision will mean decades from now. Women and gender studies teaches you to ask an equally important question: Who is missing from the room, and who will bear the consequences of the decision? On a board that sets rates and makes infrastructure decisions affecting millions of people, both are practical skills.”

    • Question: What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well? 

    • Answer: “Trust is built by being specific and then being checkable.

    I am not going to promise to lower your water bill. No single director controls rates, and a candidate who tells you otherwise is either misinformed or counting on you not to check.

    What I can promise is how I will operate. I will explain my votes in public, in plain terms, before they are cast and not after. When I do not know something, I will say so and then go find out, rather than repeating staff language I do not understand. And I will show up where residents already are instead of waiting for them to find a board meeting in Fountain Valley.

    I would rather be judged on a record than a slogan. If elected, I will publish what I said I would work on and report annually on whether I did it. That is an uncomfortable standard, which is the point.

    What I bring is the Army’s discipline and leadership training, the foresight history teaches about decisions that outlast the people who make them, and the passion to build an argument and carry it into a room where it is not welcome.”

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

    Answer: “The best book I have read this year is ‘Let’s Call Her Barbie’ by Renée Rosen.

    It came to me through one of the book clubs I belong to, and it was exactly the kind of book I did not know I needed. I read a lot of heavy material. Policy, history, institutions, and long explanations of how things went wrong. This was joyful, but I still came away having learned something.

    Rosen uses historical fiction to tell the story of Ruth Handler, Mattel, and the team that created Barbie. In the 1950s, when dolls marketed to girls largely encouraged them to imagine themselves as mothers, Handler pushed the radical idea of an adult woman doll who could represent a future instead. The book follows the resistance, personalities, arguments, and persistence behind what became one of the most recognizable toys in the world. Underneath all that pink, it is really a story about moving an organization that has already made up its mind, and about who gets listened to. Not a bad thing to read before running for a board seat.

    You get a few looks reading a bright pink Barbie book in public as a grown man. By page 30, you stop noticing.”


    Endorsed by: 

    • OC Indivisible

    • OC Democrats

    • Viet Dems of OC


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    • Bobby’s campaign contributions are not yet publicly available

  • Municipal Water District of OC Division 2 Candidate


    Candidate Statement:

    “MIKE MARKUS | Water Resource Engineer

    Orange County’s imported water supply is growing more expensive and less dependable. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being wasted on projects supported by the MWDOC Board that are destined to fail. I will stop wasteful spending and bring practical solutions to help solve our water issues.

    I dedicated 35 years to serving the Orange County Water District, leading the organization as its General Manager for 16 years. During that time, I built the world's largest water reuse project,

    the Groundwater Replenishment System, and developed the first program in the nation to remove PFAS from groundwater, saving over 200 Orange County water wells from closure. These projects provide long-term reliable water supplies while protecting human

    health.

    I am an Engineer, not a politician. I have built my career in sound science and fiscal accountability. I am running because I have real experience building and managing large infrastructure projects. I know what water projects should cost, which questions to ask and understand when the numbers don’t add up. I will hold every MWDOC decision to a high standard and make sure ratepayers get what they pay for.

    I respectfully ask for your vote. I would be honored to serve you.”


    Email: None Found


    Campaign Website: Candidate does not appear to have a campaign website

    Priorities: 

    • None Found


    Any Other Interesting Info:

    • Mike has decades of experience as an employee of MWDOC, starting as a construction manager in 1988 and retiring in 2024 after being a General Manager since 2007.

    • Mike spoke to Youtube channel Aquatech in 2020 about his involvement in the creation of MWDOC’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). Watch it here.

    • Mike is a client of the Loren lillestrand Consulting executive training program. (x)


    Social Media Links: 

    • Linkedin


    Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

    • None Found


    Candidate’s Public Comments:

    • In a MWDOC regarding his 2024 retirement, Mike said, “It has been an absolute privilege to lead an organization that is a global leader in its industry (...) From groundwater management to water recycling and water quality, OCWD has driven innovation and set the gold standard for many projects and programs. This is a testament to the board and the dedicated staff who work to fulfill our mission to provide a safe, reliable water supply.” (x)

    • Markus responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

      • Question: Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected. 

      • Answer: “My No. 1 priority is to cut wasteful spending and support projects that will result in the lowest cost of water to the customer.”

      • Question: What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? 

      • Answer: “MWDOC represents the citizens of Orange County at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), which is the regional wholesaler of water imported from Northern California and the Colorado River. MWDOC’s most important role is to make sure that MWD develops policies and projects that provide the most cost-effective solutions to our water challenges.”

      • Question: Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work?

      • Answer: “I would try to drive people to the MWDOC website (www.mwdoc.com) and make improvements to the website to explain where their water comes from. This could be done by putting a notice in with the water bills and having a link on the water retailer’s website to the MWDOC site. I would also promote emailing a monthly MWDOC newsletter to all water customers.”

      • 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? 

      • Answer: “I was born and have lived in California my entire life. I graduated from Villa Park High School, received an undergraduate degree (Cal Poly Pomona) and a graduate degree (USC) in civil engineering. I spent 35 years working at the Orange County Water District (OCWD), with the last 16 years as its general manager. While at OCWD, I managed and built the world’s largest potable reuse project that produces 130 million gallons of water per day. I uniquely understand the water challenges facing Orange County and the state of California and am not afraid of asking tough questions and solving complex issues.”

      • Question: What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well?

      • Answer: “I will actively engage my retail water agencies and listen to their concerns. I will also host monthly community meetings for any member of the public to explain what is happening at MWDOC and MWD and answer any concerns they may have. I am not a politician; I’m a respected water professional who has devoted his entire career to water. Google me.”

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

      • Answer: “‘Water 4.0’ by David Sedlak. Great book.”


    Endorsed by: 

    • None Found


    Candidate in the News:

    Public Voting Record:

    • None Found


    Follow the Money:

47th 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.

73rd District, CA State Assembly

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.

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