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

Costa Mesa

City Council Race

  • Candidate for NMUSD Area 1

    Endorsements: 

    Endorsed by WAVE

    Endorsed by Women In Leadership

    Endorsed by the Newport Mesa Federation of Teacher Local (NMUSD Teachers Union)

    Endorsed by the OC Democrats


    Leah agreed to take the Pride at the Pier DO NO HARM Pledge. 



    You can find Leah’s campaign website here. On it, she says, “I am ready to keep fighting for our students. We need a public education system that works for all children. With nearly 25 years in the social and public services sectors, I know what it takes to build consensus and get things done."



    Leah Ersoylu pushed back against a book banning effort in July of 2024 while on the board, during a review of Perks of Being a Wallflower, which includes scenes of sexual assault. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHzYaBjU0SI&list=PLIkJ1hyC4k6dQyo_XS0B1NkDMQur8Podt&index=3


    “There are some very loud voices from the community that are choosing to want to restrict what students are allowed access to based on their preference and their values.  But the mere fact that we had an actual student come up here and tell us that this book was important to her at a critical moment in her life, it helped save her, it helped save Charlie in the book, I mean that is why we are here”. 


    The largest donor to Leah’s campaign is the Newport Mesa Federation of Teachers Local, which has donated $40,000 this year to date to her re-election campaign, a significant donation level by any standards. 


    She’s also received $1,000 from the pro-LGBTQ+ “Women in Leadership” PAC, as well as $200 from SAUSD Trustee Rigo Rodriguez, who has consistently voted with LGBTQ+ equity in mind, and $100 from Tustin USD Trustee Allyson Muniz Damikolas, who held the line at TUSD against an organized anti-LGBTQ+ effort to bring forced outing policies to TUSD. 


    Ersoylu has been the subject of very intense negativity from the group “Newport Mesa Uncensored”, which has used their instagram account to drive engagement on book banning efforts and has spread claims that NMUSD schools are “transing” kids. They’ve also targeted specific NMUSD teachers who have LGBTQ+ Pride visibility in their classrooms.  According to this page, Ersoylu is “Anti-Parents-Rights”. 



    Leah, however, shared on her campaign facebook the policy that the NMUSD board passed that provides parents access to curriculum, to access to the school site, to access and permission control over psychological testing conducted at the school, to communication access to their students’ teachers, to the ability to opt a student out of certain curriculum, such as sex-ed.  This seems to solidify that the “parents’ rights” that the NMU group is referring to is the dog whistle we at Pride at the Pier have often seen, used to refer to forced outing policies and other anti-LGBTQ+ efforts.  


     Leah is a district evaluator for the OC Human Relations Commission, which works to track and prevent hate crimes and hate incidents in Orange County. 




    The OC Register asked Leah a few questions.  Among these, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    Ersoylu replied, “The role of parents in their child’s education is paramount. Kids need to have parents who make sure they have the resources to be successful. Our board majority voted last summer (2023) to pass an updated parental rights and responsibilities policy. It is on the district website, as well as my Facebook page.


    Sadly, there is so much disinformation and a real interest in some folks not wanting to understand what the actual rights parents do have, that this conversation — and the term “parental rights” — has become politically charged. We can all agree that parents are ideally a child’s first and best teacher. We know the value of reading to children aged 0-5 is critical to a child’s development. Parents should stay involved from preschool to 12th grade, at varying levels. They need to offer support and be able to identify issues and work with the child’s teachers hand-in-hand. This is why it is important that all parents read and understand the parental rights and responsibilities policy that the district has in place so that all parties can use reality as the starting point for any dialogue on the issue.”


  • Candidate for Trustee Area 1 - NMUSD


    You can find Robin’s campaign website here. 



    Endorsements: 

    • The 5 Trustees of the OC BOE, who support forced outing policies. 

    • OC Supervisor Don Wagner, who voted Yes on a Pride Flag Ban. 

    • Tony Strickland, Mayor of HB who has championed attacks on the LGBTQ+ community

    • Reform California

    • California Women's Leadership Association PAC

    • Palm Harvest Church, Head Pastor, Mike Decker

    • Newport Beach City Council Member - Noah Blom

    *** Several of the above endorsements come from anti-LGBTQ+ entities




    Follows “NewportMesaUncensored” on Instagram, an anti-LGBTQ+ page that has posted fear-mongering rhetoric about the LGBTQ+ community, including posts about how schools are “transing the kids”. 


    Her instagram is now private. 


    Robin Endorsed Scott Baugh for Congress



    Publicly opposes The Safety Act AB 1955 that outlaws forced outing policies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhfV6xi31XY, saying it’s “just not right. We parents need to know what’s going on with our kids, that’s something I’m very passionate about”

    “My goal - I have several goals, but the first one is protecting us parents”. 


    Represented by 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 up and down SoCal this election season.




    Robin’s campaign received $2,500 from Fieldstead & Company, a conservative Christian funding organization run by the local Ahmanson family that has such highlights on their website as “Why Progressives Ruin Cities” and “The Decolonization Narrative is Dangerous and False”. 


    On her campaign website, she places importance on parental rights, which has been used as a dog whistle for anti-LGBTQ+ activism and forced outing policies. 



    The OC Register asked Robin a few questions.  Among those, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    Robin replied, “The role of parents and family are key factors in a student’s academic success. Parental involvement and family influences have proven to strengthen and increase a student’s learning capability, along with improving a student’s attitude toward school and achievements in the classroom. Students with involved parents perform better academically than students without parental involvement. When parents, teachers, and school administration work together, this fosters better communication, a positive environment and collaboration for more effective learning experiences and successes for the students. Parents and families need to be included in the decision-making process, academic development, school activities and overall progress of their student. A partnership between parents, teachers and schools are necessary for student success.”


    She also dodged a question on climate change in the same interview. “What role do you see your district playing in combating climate change? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)” She replied, “The district should promote curriculum which promotes preserving and protecting our environment for future generations. By conserving our natural resources, we can ensure future generations enjoy the same quality of life as us or better”.

  • Candidate for Newport Mesa USD 

    Trustee Area 3


    You can find Carol’s candidate statement here.  In it, she says, “Since being elected in November 2020, I have promoted educational excellence, expanded Career Technical Education, ensured fiscal responsibility, improved community engagement, and enhanced campus safety”. Visit the link to read it in full. 


    You can find Carol’s campaign websitehere.  

    • On her main page, she talks about how her family fled to the United States from Lebanon as refugees from a civil war, and how that led her into academia and civil service. 

    • She lists under her priorities, “educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and campus safety”. 

    • Under her “Gallery” page on her campaign website, she includes a photo taken with CA Education Superintendent Tony Thurmond.  Thurmond has been an incredibly strong ally to the LGBTQ+ community in the face of anti-LGBTQ, anti-public education activists. 


    Social Media: 

    Facebook: Not Found

    Instagram:

    Twitter: Not Found


    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    ***Crane doesn’t appear to follow any openly LGBTQ+ related accounts, (pro or anti) or any political accounts outside of her direct peers in the Newport Beach/Costa Mesa area)


    Endorsed by: 

    • OC Young Dems

    • Brad Avery, Former Mayor and City Council member, City of Newport Beach

    • Tom Arnold, Retired Fire Chief-Costa Mesa Fire Department

    • Dana Black, Trustee (fmr.), Newport-Mesa Unified School District

    • Joy Brenner, City Council Member (fmr.), City of Newport Beach

    • Manuel Chavez, City Council Member, City of Costa Mesa

    • Keith Curry, Former Mayor, City of Newport Beach

    • Leslie Daigle, Former Newport Beach City Councilwoman

    • Sue Dvorak, Orange County Airport Commissioner

    • Dr. Marc Ecker, Superintendent (ret.), Fountain Valley Elementary School District

    • Brett Eckles, Director, Costa Mesa Sanitary District

    • Martha Fluor, Trustee (fmr.), Newport Mesa Unified School District

    • Katrina Foley, Supervisor, Orange County Board of Supervisors

    • Dr. Gregory Franklin, Superintendent (ret.), Tustin Unified School District

    • David Grant, ​Trustee (fmr.), Coast Community College District

    • Jeff Harlan, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Costa Mesa

    • Dr. Clint Harwick, Superintendent (ret.), Huntington Beach Union High School District

    • Susan Henry, Past President, California School Board Association (CSBA)

    • Mary Hornbuckle, Trustee, Coast Community College District 

    • Walt Howald,  Trustee (fmr.), Coast Community College District; NB Citizen of the Year

    • Charlene Metoyer, Trustee (fmr.), Newport Mesa Unified School District

    • Liz Dorn Parker, Trustee, Coast Community College District

    • Lisa Pearson, Trustee, Newport Mesa Unified School District

    • Tony Petros, Council Member (fmr.), City of Newport Beach

    • Harley Rouda, United States Congressman (fmr.), CA 48​

    • Barbara Schulman, Trustee, Saddleback Valley Unified School District

    • Vicki Snell, Trustee (fmr.), Newport Mesa Unified School District

    • John Stephens, Mayor, City of Costa Mesa

    • Cyril Yu, President, Irvine Unified School District Board of Trustees

    ***Many of these endorsements come from people who are allies of the LGBTQ+ community


    News:




    • The OC Register asked Carol a few questions.  Among those, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    Crane replied, “Meaningful parent and community engagement is one of the four NMUSD board priorities.


    As a former educator, parent, volunteer and current governing board member, I vehemently believe that parents are and should be part of the formula for student success. A school district cannot achieve its potential without parent involvement and feedback.


    NMUSD has one of the most robust parental rights in the county. Parents have access to their student records, can request a meeting with any district employee, can review textbook/curriculum adoption, can visit and observe their students’ classroom, provide input on curriculum development, can request testing for special needs and develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), can volunteer and serve on a plethora of committees and associations such as PTA and School Site Council, can opt their students out of certain units in the sex education curriculum and more.”





    Follow the Money: 

    • Crane’s campaign treasurer is Lysa Ray, who has deep ties to many conservative politicians in the region and is working the campaigns of many anti-LGBTQ+ candidates across Southern California. Ray is also the treasurer (former?) of Andrew Do, the OC Supervisor who is under investigation by the FBI. 

    • As of September 21, Crane had raised $56,635.38 in campaign donations, nearly $50K of which came in the form of direct donations. 

    • Many of her donations came from political leaders and organizations who have worked in support of LGBTQ+ equity. 

      • $5,000 came from CA Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris

      • $500 came from the OC Dems

      • $250 came from Democratic Women of South OC

      • $100 came from Mary L. Hornbuckle, board member at Coast Community College



  • Candidate for Newport Mesa USD 

    Trustee Area 3


    You can find Philip’s candidate statement here.  In it, he says, “Parental and family involvement is vital for student success. We must end policies driving a wedge between

    parents and students”. 


    Email:Stemler4nmusd@gmail.com


    You can find Philip’s campaign website here. 

    Among his priorities, he lists, “Education, Not Indoctrination: Students must learn how to think, not what to think. Our schools’ curriculum must reflect our commitment to academic excellence, not any political agenda”. 



    Social Media: 

    Facebook:

    Instagram:

    Twitter: Not Found


    On instagram, this candidate follows: 


    In this instagram post, Stemler says, “I am committed to removing district policies keeping secrets from parents.  In our kids’ education, family is the solution, not the problem”.  This seems to be a reference to policies that stand against forced outing in NMUSD. 


    Just take a look through her IG account and any progressive/left leaning/LGBTQ+ friendly accounts you see, go ahead and include.  I know Frances is an ally, if I didn’t, I’d say just find anything you think is notable. 


    If there’s anything LGBTQ+ related or connected to progressive policies towards marginalized communities that you see on her website or social media, include it here with the sources link


    Endorsed by: 

    • Noah Blom, Newport Beach City Councilmember & Former Mayor 

    • Mari Barke, Orange County Board of Education Trustee 

    • Lisa Sparks, Orange County Board of Education Trustee 

    • Will O'Neill, Newport Beach Mayor 

    • California Women's Leadership Association PAC

    • Michelle Barto, Newport-Mesa Unified School District Trustee 

    • Orange County GOP

    • Reform CA

    • Nancy’s Picks

    ***This endorsement list includes many people who have loudly advocated against the LGBTQ community. 


    Nancy’s List had this to say about Stemler in her endorsement: “STEMLER is a Newport Beach native, a husband, a father, and in his day-job is a Deputy District Attorney. Some of his priorities are: Empowering Families: (says, “parental involvement is vital for student success . . .must end policies driving a wedge between parents and students”.) Transparency: (“says, schools must be transparent in all areas, especially related to spending, academic achievement, and student health”). Education, Not Indoctrination: (says, “students should be taught how to think, not what to think. . . schools’ curriculum must reflect our commitment to academic excellence, not any political agenda”)”. .



    Just take a look at her endorsements on her website or socials and pop the ones you think are a good indication of her stance towards marginalized communities



    News:


    The LA Times covered a candidate forum with Philip Stemler and his fellow NMUSD candidates.  Read it in full here. 


    The OC Register asked Philip a few questions.  Among these, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    Stemler replied, “Government policies that drive a wedge between parents and their children are wrong. Research and common experience show that student outcomes across virtually all domains — from mental health to academic achievement — drastically improve when family is involved and supportive. We should be empowering parents and families to tap into this. As a school district, the best way to support children struggling with any issue is to ensure their family is fully involved. As a father, I know that family is the solution, not the problem.


    Excluding true instances of abuse or neglect, government entities like school districts should not be interfering in any family. It makes no sense that schools require parents to give permission for a child to go on a field trip, but then will not tell parents if a child is getting counseling to receive irreversible gender-altering treatment”. 

    ***FACT CHECK: School faculty have nothing to do with the prescription or the providing of gender-affirming care for transgender youth. This is a myth that is designed to fear-monger about our public schools and the LGBTQ+ community. 


    In the same article, Stemler was asked, “What role do you see your district playing in combating climate change? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    He suggested that climate change is not real in his response, saying, “Newport-Mesa’s schools need the very best science curriculum so our students can distinguish fact from fiction when climate change is discussed and debated. When this happens, we as a society can make fact and evidence-based decisions that not only protect and improve our environment but also protect the quality of life of our neighbors and community. We should also be teaching students how to be good stewards of their environment, properly disposing of waste, recycling those items which can be reused, and protecting our precious beaches and oceans”. 




    Follow the Money: 

    As of the 9.21.2024 filing deadline, Stemler had raised $52,125.00, primarily in cash donations. 

    • $500 came from Shawn Steel, the husband of notoriously anti-LGBTQ Congresswoman Michelle Steel. 

    • Many of the donations he’s received come from individuals within the real estate and finance fields.

    • His expenditures include payments to Landslide Communications, a campaign literature company that works with many anti-LGBTQ+ candidates across the region. 

    • He’s also employed Brian Floyd Enterprises as a campaign consultant.  BFE works specifically with right-wing candidates. 



  • Candidate for Newport Mesa USD

    Trustee Area 6


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


    • Peters lists among her priorities, “I will work to improve academic outcomes while advocating for the removal of controversial programming and materials in our schools”. 

    • She also lists, “I will work to restore the partnership between parents and educators, and to ensure that transparent and responsive governance and leadership with respect to parent rights is prioritized”. 



    You can find Amy’s candidate statement here.  In it, she says, “Accessibility, Transparency, Communication & Engagement: I will work to restore the partnership between parents and educators, and to ensure that transparent and responsive  governance and leadership is prioritized”



    Social Media: 

    Facebook: None Found

    Instagram:

    Twitter: None Found


    • Amy was tagged in an interview and endorsement from Nicole Pearson, an extremist, anti-LGBTQ and anti-public education activist.

    • She posted on instagram, “NMUSD focuses on Social Emotional Learning SEL instead of their MANDATE of EDUCATION to PREPARE for LIFE after graduation”. 


    On instagram, this candidate follows: 



    Endorsed by: 


    Nancy’s Picks has this to say about her; “This is an office where, I believe, the OC GOP got it WRONG, endorsing incumbent, Krista Weigand, without consideration of her actions on the Board, simply because she is an incumbent and a “R”. 


    I, and many NM CONSERVATIVES, thought Weigand was their candidate 4 years ago. BUT she has been a HUGE disappointment!  Weigand has been virtually a “lock-step” vote with the majority liberal board. She has been a “go along to get along” member,  NOT the expected LEADER for CHANGE & IMPROVEMENT! Accordingly, this time, I’m recommending AMY PETERS, who stepped up because she felt the district needed ANOTHER SHOT at CHANGE and protecting our kids from inappropriate material. AMY IS THE FIGHTER WE NEED!


    Per AMY PETERS, a businesswoman and educator: “Our District is in dire need of strong leadership and new direction - focused on academic excellence and students’ needs not declining rankings due to special interests. I am committed to Academic Excellence. Though the District boasts a 94.7% graduation rate, only 36.8% of 10th graders are reading at/above grade level. 66.95% of 11th graders are failing math standards. I will work to improve academic outcomes; removing CONTROVERSIAL programming and materials in our schools.” 


    Amy opposes WOKISM and SOCIALISM being taught in our schools. Says, “Right now there are 28 students in NM Schools being transitioned behind their parents’ backs”.  She knows this district well, having gone all through NM schools herself, along with her 3 children. She has served in the schools in virtually every capacity as a parent and partner.


    NOTE: Please DO NOT SUPPORT KRISTA WEIGAND or the 3rd candidate in this race, Democrat, CHRIS KRETZU.” 



    News:

    • According to this article in the LA Times, Peters decided to run again (she ran before, in 2020) after AB 1955 was passed. “Peters said she was motivated after hearing about NMUSD’s compliance with AB 1955, a state law which prohibits school districts from requiring employees or contractors to notify parents about students’ preferred gender identity.  “I don’t think we should be keeping that information from parents,” she said. “The secrecy that’s happening on school campuses drives a wedge between schools and parents and teachers and children.”




    Follow the Money: 

    As of 9.21.24, Peters had raised $1,700.00. The majority of it came from a private individual.


  • Campaign Website: https://www.chris4nmusd.com/


    • In his “about me”, he says, “Let me say that again because it’s an important detail: I currently have kids in NMUSD schools. Since our oldest son started kindergarten, my wife and I have been investing our time and energy in our kid’s class rooms as room parents and volunteers, at school events, on their PTA, and more”. 


    • Chris, who has worked in church ministry for the last 18 years, goes on to say, “I want to ensure equitable access to resources, support innovative teaching methods, and advocate for policies that address the diverse needs of all students. I don’t just want academic success for our kids, but also the ability to be kind and live well. I also want to make sure our teachers and administrators feel seen, heard and valued for the crucial role that they play”. 


    • On his “priorities” page, he says, “No More Fear-Based Messaging: Author and social scientist Jonathan Haidt wrote, “the real world is so much safer than you think, and the virtual world is every bit as dangerous, if not more, than you think.” We need to stop giving credit to every snippet that comes across our news source and, instead, actually show up in our neighborhoods and schools to see for ourselves what the challenges, opportunities, and dangers are. Again, I'm not suggesting we put our heads in the sand! Instead, let's put our hands to the plow and engage in the thing that is often easier to just critique”. 



    You can find Chris’ candidate statement here. 


    The church that Kretzu is affiliated with in his time as a pastor, South Hills Church, emphasizes on its website the need for the church community to reflect the diversity of the community, saying “One of the core teachings of Jesus is to love your neighbor. And by that He meant people who live around you but don’t look, think, dress, vote, or act like you. If the demographic of our church doesn’t reflect the demographic of our community, we’re doing it wrong. We’ve lost the plot”. 


    Social Media: 

    Facebook: (private)

    Instagram:

    Twitter: (private)



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 



    Endorsed by: 

    • OC Democrats

    ***There may be more, but he has not shared these endorsements on his social media or campaign website, which means we had to check endorsement pages one at a time, and may have missed some. 




    News:


    The OC Register asked Kretzu a few questions.  Among those, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    Chris replied, “I absolutely think parents should be involved in their children’s education, and I’ve never met an educator who was opposed to that. It’s also worth noting that NMUSD has actually had a Parental Rights & Responsibilities policy for almost 20 years that every parent sign each year when they register their children. When it comes to the SAFETY Act, my understanding is that it was written to protect students who are at risk of experiencing violence at home because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. And of course, nobody wants children to be put in harm’s way – even if we disagreed with their choices.


    According to our district leaders, up to this point, there has not been a single instance where parents weren’t included in the conversation around a student-requested gender support plan, and I believe that’s because of our district’s commitment to caring for and working with students and families.


    While people may disagree widely on this topic, I think it’s crucial we engage in these conversations with an understanding of why the bill was signed at a state level, what it practically means at our district level, and how our educators are actually navigating these difficult waters.”


    The LA Times/Daily Pilot covered a candidate forum that Kretzu spoke at. You can read about that here. 


    Follow the Money: 

    Kretzu hasn’t filed any campaign finance filings that reflect donations for this election.


  • Candidate for Trustee Area 6 - NMUSD


    You can find Krista’s Campaign Website here.  On her website, she lists among her priorities; “The importance of students' mental and emotional development. An education is only valuable when a student can emotionally handle the ups and downs of life”. 


    Under her “Issues” page: 

    • “Put a stop to new bonds and parcel taxes. We already have the resources needed; we need to spend it right – focusing on classroom education”

    • “Promote a well-balanced education including quality curriculum, access to the latest technology and limited class size”. 

    • “Transparency. Guarantee that decisions are not made behind closed doors and that the public is included every step of the way”. 


    You can find Weigand’s candidate statement here.  In it, she says, “As a parent, I understand that communication is the most important tool to strengthen my children’s education at school. Knowing what’s happening in the classroom and on campus is a fundamental right of every parent. I am committed to further improving our communications and outreach efforts, so parents are at the forefront of children’s educational development”. 



    She appears to be running in a slate with Philip Stemler and Robin Mensinger, who have both been open in their anti-LGBTQ views. However, her own campaign doesn’t seem to carry the same language at its forefront. 


    Social Media: 

    Facebook:

    Instagram:




    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    ***Most of the notable accounts Weigand follows are her fellow elected officials in the Newport-Mesa region, local school accounts, and local businesses. 




    Endorsed by: 

    • Sheriff Don Barnes - Orange County Sheriff

    • Scott Baugh - U.S. Congressional Candidate and Former Assemblyman

    • Will O’Neill - Newport Beach Mayor

    • Joe Stapleton - Newport Beach Mayor Pro-tem

    • Brad Avery - Former Newport Beach Councilman

    • Kevin Muldoon - Former Newport Beach Councilman

    • Newport Beach Police Association

    • Orange County GOP

    *** A number of these endorsements come from figures who are openly opposed to LGBTQ+ equity. 



    Nancy’s Picks, a local far-right voter guide, had this to say about Weigand, “I, and many NM CONSERVATIVES, thought Weigand was their candidate 4 years ago. BUT she has been a HUGE disappointment!  Weigand has been virtually a “lock-step” vote with the majority liberal board. She has been a “go along to get along” member,  NOT the expected LEADER for CHANGE & IMPROVEMENT!”.  Nancy endorsed one of Weigand’s opponents, Amy Peters. 




    News:


    The OC Register asked Krista a few questions.  Among those, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”


    Weigand replied, “As a parent with elementary-age kids in the district, I understand that communication is the most important tool to strengthen my children’s educational success at school. Knowing what’s happening in the classroom and on campus is a fundamental right of every parent. I am committed to further improving our communications and outreach efforts, so parents are at the forefront of children’s educational development. Teachers and parents should work together for the betterment of each student”. 



    The Daily Pilot covered a candidate forum that Weigand was a part of. In response to a question about controversial laws like AB 1955 (which prevents the enforcement of forced outing policies), she said, “On the board, I have worked to take policies I may not have liked but figure out how we can make them and structure them in a way that still represents our values without breaking any laws.”


    Follow the Money: 

    As of 9.21.24, Weigand had raised just over $16,000 for this race. She spent $300 on literature from conservative organization, Continuing the Republican Revolution.


  • Costa Mesa City Mayor Race (2 Year Term) - Incumbent


    Website: https://www.costamesaca.gov/government/mayor-city-council/mayor-john-stephens
    https://www.stephensforcostamesa.com/

    Contact Info:
    E-mail:John.Stephens@costamesaca.gov

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/JohnStephensCM
    X: https://x.com/jbsdad4
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/mayorjohnstephens/



    2024 News:
    OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
    John Stephens, Costa Mesa Mayor candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
    Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it?
    A: Public safety is always the most important priority. Of course, an important aspect of public safety is fully funding our police and fire departments with sufficient staff compensation, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. For instance, we just remodeled our indoor firing range, and on Sept. 6, we are breaking ground on a new fire Department training facility. We invested in a Mobil Command Unit for our police department, an armored rescue vehicle and fire engines. We deployed Flock cameras at entry points to the city to recover stolen vehicles and solve (and prevent) crimes.

    In addition to our police and fire departments, we have one of the best pavement condition indexes in California. Smooth roads, crosswalks, well marked and protected bike lanes and traffic calming keep those in transit safe.

    We have also aggressively addressed homelessness. We have a 100-bed shelter with 15 beds for substance and mental health treatment and a street medicine program through CalOptima. We have found permanent housing for 380 people in five years. We aggressively enforce our anti-camping ordinance to restore parks to the public.


    LA Times Daily Pilot: Costa Mesa Council hopefuls share civic priorities, views on housing, safety and more

    “Stephens said he’d like to see unproductive commercial sites repurposed into housing and mixed-use development projects. Such a strategy will become more feasible once the city undergoes a comprehensive rezoning process, part of citizen-backed Measure K, a project strongly supported by Harlan.

    “This will help incentivize new housing opportunities — including workforce housing for teachers, nurses, young professionals and families — which will be located close to transit and employment centers and also protect traditional residential neighborhoods,” Harlan, 53, wrote.”


    Social Media Posts:

    FB Post: Canvassing with Josh Newman, Dave Min, Jeff Harlan, etc.

    FB Post: Endorsement post from multiple organizations

    FB Post: On the picket line with Teamsters Local 952

    Following on Social Media:

    Katie Porter
    Mike Levin
    Laguna Beach Dems
    Gavin Newson
    Other various Democrats
    Alyssa Napuri - Deputy Chief of Supervisor Foley (Napuri is an LGBTQ supporter)



    Public Endorsements:

    Planned Parenthood
    National Union of Healthcare Workers


    Voting Record:

    Charter School Campaigns (2012, 2014) - NO


    Committees:

    Ad Hoc Committee on Cannabis Industry
    Special Districts Committee (sanitation, water, school)
    Financial Pension Advisory Committee
    Animal Services Committee
    San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency Board (Toll Roads)
    Costa Mesa Early Childhood Coalition


    Top Campaign Contributors:
    Info from https://www.savecostamesa.com/follow
    As     of June 30, 2022, Mr. Stephens had $100,534.41 in his coffers and has collected more donations since that time.  Most of his donations come from lawyer friends, but close behind are unions, followed by people who live outside of Costa Mesa, and those who work in real estate, construction and developers, including the California Apartment Association PAC.  He has the lowest percentage of residents as donors.  John Stephens files disclosure statements at a regular frequency and is transparent.

    All finance disclosures are here: https://www.costamesaca.gov/government/departments-and-divisions/city-clerk/city-elections/city-elections-2022/2022-disclosure-statements


    Most frequent donor (small donations): Eva Goodwin-Noriega


  • Costa Mesa City Mayor Race (2 Year Term)


    Career: Tax and Wealth Management Professional

    Website: https://petersformayor2024.com/

    Contact Info:
    949-285-1288
    James@petersformayor2024.com

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/jim.peters.58152/
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559925394548
    X: None found

    IG: None found



    2024 News:

    OC Register 2024 General Election Candidate Questionnaire
    James Peters, Costa Mesa Mayor candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
    Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it?
    A: The biggest need facing Costa Mesa is public safety. Over the past three years, our city has seen murder, arson, larceny and sex offender crimes increase. We need to provide Costa Mesa Police with more resources, giving them the ability to strengthen their focus on preventing these crimes and arresting the perpetrators.

    We should also strengthen community policing strategies. Community policing encourages residents to partner with police officers, builds trust between neighborhoods and police and helps residents work with police to prevent/report crime. Unfortunately, issues related to homelessness also contribute to crime. City government must develop comprehensive support programs and collaborate with local organizations to provide housing solutions. These services will help homeless individuals get back on their feet, provide the mentally ill the treatment they need and rehabilitate those with drug addictions. For those who refuse services, then city ordinances must be enforced to remove them from our streets, parks and neighborhoods, shopping centers and office complexes.

    Costa Mesa has a unique problem not faced by other OC cities: we have an overconcentration of marijuana dispensaries (“”pot shops””) near our parks, schools and neighborhoods. We must reevaluate zoning laws and regulations to ensure a balanced approach that considers community concerns.



    OC Register: New group raises false specter of election fraud in Orange County” 
    “Though Patriot Force was founded by activists from San Jose and Roseville, the group is making a push in Orange County. Volunteers are distributing fliers door-to-door and sending out emails with vague or misleading claims about the 2020 election and last year’s failed recall of Newsom.

    James Peters, a local financial advisor who said he’s a volunteer in charge of communications for Patriot Force, would not say how many people his group has reached or the number of volunteers involved.

    Peters did say his group is targeting Orange County because he and other local residents are concerned about election integrity and worried their votes weren’t being counted.”



    OC Register: Here are some facts about voting fraud in Southern California. 
    From the article:
    Claim: We have found over 90,000 ineligible voters on the rolls in Orange County.
    Facts: This data was at the heart of a 2021 lawsuit filed by a conservative election watchdog group and 10 failed GOP congressional candidates against a slew of state and county elections officials, including Orange County Registrar Neal Kelley, that echoed false allegations Trump made about the validity of the 2020 election. In June, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, saying there was no evidence of their claims.

    The data related to this claim included long expired registrations, old data, wrong data and other problems, Kelley said, with no credible sources and no examples sent to his office for review. If anyone has names of voters on the rolls who they believe are ineligible or there in error, they are urged to contact the Registrar’s office, which will review each case. Patriot Group has never provided Kelley’s office with any such examples and didn’t provide any to the Register.



    Social Media Posts:

    Tagged and endorsed in post from Scott Baugh (Republican running for Congress): https://www.instagram.com/p/C90ELtpv8xN/
    James posted in a group called “Costa mesa Battle in the Trenches”
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1495336803919428/permalink/7528330810619967/
    (In     this post, he states, “The Ordinance is crazy. I would fully repeal it. Another example of out of control big government.” in response to the question of repealing the eviction ordinance



    Public Endorsements:
    Laura Ferguson - Former City Councilmember, San Clemente

    Sonya Green - Director for Patriots for Freedom PAC (donates explicitly to Republicans)

    Alexander Haberbush - Founder/President of Lex Rex Institute
    Wendy Leece - Former City Councilmember, Costa Mesa

    Jim Righeimer - Former Costa Mesa Mayor

    The Lincoln Club of Orange County
    Wayne Lindholm - Former President of Lincoln Club of Orange County (Largest conservative major donor in California)

    Steve Mensinger - Former Costa Mesa Mayor



    Key Issues:
    (Found on his own web site)
    Stronger policing strategies
    Developing housing solutions for homeless
    Reevaluating zoning laws to reduce concentration of cannabis stores
    Protecting green spaces

City Mayoral Race

Newport-Mesa Unified School District

  • Candidate for Santa Ana Unified School District, SAUSD, Trustee Area 1


    Running against incumbent Rigo Rodriguez, current school board president and teacher.


    Brenda’s husband, Pastor Mark Lebsack, is now a pastor at Norwalk Assembly of God in Norwalk.


    Supported by the PAC “Santa Ana Families for Excellence in Education, Yes on Boucher-Reyes, Lebsack and Suarez, No on Alvarez and Rodriguez for SAUSD” 

    The above PAC received $3,500 from Michael Harrah of Caribou Industries, a local real estate mogul and a board member of the Lincoln Club, a far-right political organization in Orange County with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. 


    Also received $1,000 from Verde Consulting (asking KM for more info)


    Represented by 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 up and down SoCal this election season. 


    Brenda is extremely anti-trans. She spreads misinformation about kids being indoctrinated into gender ideology and medically transitioned in public schools. She has been spreading this information FOR YEARS. 


    Probably the earliest example was in 2018 when new California Healthy Youth Act: Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CHYA) changes were introduced that included information on sexual relations, sexual orientation, and gender. Lebsack wrote an opinion piece for the OC Register that was picked up by EdSource.


    https://edsource.org/2018/parents-educators-should-scrutinize-concepts-of-gender-and-sexual-identity-in-states-health-education-framework/606025




    Affiliations:


    • Family Research Council

    • Gays Against Groomers

    • California Policy Center

    • Lincoln Club of OC

    • Karen England

    • Protect Our Kids CA

    • California Family Council

    • Save California

    • No OUSD Recall

    • Rebecca Friedrichs

    • Mari Barke OC Board of Ed. member & CLEO of CPC

    • Jeff Barke Orange County Classical Academy board member, anti-vax & extremist

    • Mark Bucher CPC founder & current CEO

    • Stephen Bean OCBOE Superintendent 

    • A long list of extremist school board members from school districts across Southern California; Madison Miner, Sonja Shaw, Leandra Blades, Komrosky, etc

    • Pastor Tim Thompson


    Websites: 


    Brenda operates two websites, brenda4kids.com and Interfaith 4 Kids - Home


    On Brenda4kids.com she rails against CRT that was never taught, teacher’s unions, and the Suicide Prevention Hotline. On, Interfaith 4 Kids - Home, you'll find lots of extremist language. 


    2016 Campaign Donation Sources


    Brenda is a former school board member of Orange Unified School District, OUSD. Her 2016 campaign was almost exclusively funded by a single predatory charter school PAC.


    VOTES -

    2019 Lebsack voted to approve the controversial charter Orange County Classical Academy, OCCA, that involves former OUSD Attorney and Education Alliance (now named the California Policy Center) founder Mark Bucher and other controversial leaders.

    Quotes - 

    Hillsdale College Curriculum during OUSD school board meeting when Branda was a school board member 

    • “It’s a great program.”

    In support of Orange County Classical Academy during OUSD school board meeting when Branda was a school board member 

    • “We live in a capitalistic society to prevent corruption and education should no longer be monopolized as any other institution in this country. So that is why I am supporting the Hillsdale Charter.”

    Gender  

    • "We have books in our preschool, kindergarten, first-grade libraries telling kids that their gender can change like the weather," said parent and teacher Brenda Lebsack. 

    • She added by encouraging the idea of gender fluidity, schools could be confusing students. 

    • "And then if they're keeping secrets from their parents about their anxiety, that can create a mental crisis," said Lebsack. 


    • “I have solution to the school budget dilemma. We need to take the CTA identity politics and create a salary scale that reflects their ideology. All teachers should start at the same rate regardless of of seniority or experience... for the sake of EQUITY. From that starting point, salaries should then go up or down based on level of privilege or oppression. For example: White, heterosexual, Christian males should ALWAYS be at the bottom of the pay scale. This of course could be adjusted if they change their religious affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity. And since ethnicity is based on "perception" according to our CSBA school district policies, their "whiteness" may also have potential adjustment.


    • Maybe this would solve the issues of systemic racism as defined by the CTA because reparations could be built into salary schedules. And maybe it would provide incentives for people to identify in a way that is politically correct.”


    • “The term "undue hardship" needs to be specifically defined because people of faith are feeling like their environment is becoming more hostile due to affirming different genders. They are questioning whether, if they don't use particular pronouns citing their faith as reasoning, they will be accused of hate.


    Brenda speaks on her relationship with gender in a reply to a comment to an online EdSource article:

    “Andy, I can only speak for myself. When I was a child I was a tomboy. Instead of playing with barbies, I played pirates and cops and robbers. I went through a phase when I just wore motorcycle t-shirts. My parents did not make a big deal about it. I never doubted I was a girl, but deep inside I wished I was a boy, because I thought boys had more fun. I looked and acted so much like a boy sometimes, that if I was in an unfamiliar environment, I would get kicked out of the girl’s bathroom. As I grew up, I changed.


    I’m still not a prissy girl, but that does not make me any less female. All I can say is, speaking for myself, these teachings would have caused me psychological damage and major confusion. As a 9 year old when I heard about female menstruation for the first time, I freaked out. It sounded like the most horrific thing in the world (and sometimes it is, LOL!).
    But as a child with an immature perception, I would have thought…”If there’s a way to get out of this, then I want it! Puberty blockers or whatever it takes.” This is just me, because I know how I thought as a kid.


    I’m grateful my parents just accepted me for who I was and did not put a label on me. I’m glad they did not use gender stereotypes to define me. Although I am now a wife and a mom, I still don’t fit in many of those feminine stereotypical roles, but isn’t that what accepting a person for who they are all about?”

    ***Brenda uses this story fairly often in her speaking gigs, and has also shared this story in an article called “Like Most Kids, I Grew Out of Gender Dysphoria”.


    Brenda hosted the premier of the anti-trans movie, Disconnected. 

    She’s also a contributor to the far-right newspaper, Epoch Times, which is ran by Falung Gong (yes, the same group behind the Shen Yun shows). 


    Brenda also went on the Tim Thompson Podcast this year and bragged about how she got the Suicide Prevention Hotline signs taken out of Santa Ana Unified Schools - the district she’s running to serve.  Her argument was that the Suicide Prevention Hotline is connected to the Trevor Project, which she paints as something far more sinister than it is (this is connected to the conspiracy that Chaya Raychek of Libs of Tiktok was spreading at the same time as her story takes place).  She employed a far-right legal firm to send a letter to the school district demanding that the signs be taken down, suggesting that the school was participating in ‘grooming’ behavior.   

    What she doesn’t include in her story, however, is that the signs were only removed for a few days for the school district to do their due diligence (normal operating procedure when served with legal papers), and went back up, unchanged, because of course there’s nothing wrong with the Trevor Project and providing mental health resources to students is essential. 


    We could go on for a long time - there’s a lot of information regarding Brenda’s anti-LGBTQ+ activism - but we’ll leave you with this. 

    Brenda replied to our School Board Advocacy Pledge (every candidate received one, it can be found on the Voter Guide Home Page) without a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but did provide this answer. 

    “Thank you for this invitation.  I have requested to meet with the OC LGBTQ+ Center Leadership more than once for open dialogue but they never respond. I have some serious concerns about our LGBTQ+ youth in our schools because I do not think our schools are safe.  Is there a time we can meet and talk about these issues?   I would also like some clarification because religion is just as much a legal protected characteristic as gender identity and sexual orientation.  Schools must be safe for ALL students of diversity.

    Thank you for this opportunity to discuss these important issues.  

    Sincerely, Brenda Lebsack”

    We did reply, asking if she’d provide a yes or no to the pledge, and have not received a response yet.  We feel her response is best considered in partnership with her other background.

  • Candidate for Santa Ana USD - Trustee Area 1 


    Rigo agreed to take our school board advocacy pledge, saying “Absolutely. I pledge my support to these critical issues. Let me know if you have any questions.”


    Endorsed by Chispa, “Launching in 2017, Chispa operates with a focus in three tiers; base building, policy, and elections. By creating an infrastructure for young people to engage in policy campaigns, and taking a position on candidates, Chispa is an organization that represents young Latinos / Latinx in all levels of government.”



    Voted Yes: 

    SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 RESOLUTION NO. 23/24 - 3544 3 RECOGNIZING JUNE AS 2SLGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH 4 and 5 OCTOBER AS 2SLGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH BY RAISING PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG 6 AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE

    https://sausd-test.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Regular+Board+Meeting+February+27%2C+2024/1_gdm8x929/344632042


    Attended the Pride Month Ceremony, a June 1st raising of the Pride flag and LGBTQ+ resource fair, in his official capacity as trustee. https://www.instagram.com/p/C7sDdtbh4o4/?img_index=3



    Rigo posted a selfie with LGBTQ+ ally and CA Education Superintendent Tony Thurmond, calling him a “great ally” in reference to public education. https://www.instagram.com/p/C2WBhW-h-rE/?locale=uken1&hl=am-et&img_index=1


    In 2022, Rigo endorsed Katelyn Brazer Aceves, who also voted Yes to the Pride month resolution. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/ChnskhbhnfN/?locale=uken1&hl=am-et


    He’s also the  Chair of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies Department – California State University, Long Beach


    He’s a board member at the Delhi Center, a non-profit that hosted 2023 OC Trans Pride. 


  • Candidate for Santa Ana USD, Area 2


    Progressive stances on her campaign website include: 

    • Advocate for student representation on the board: giving students a direct voice in decisions that impact their education and school experience

    • Prioritize community schools: to provide comprehensive support services, addressing students’ academic, emotional, and social needs for their success.


    Endorsed by: 

    • Vicente Sarmiento, District 2 Orange County Supervisor, who has consistently voted with LGBTQ+ allyship in mind

    • OC Young Democrats

    • Chispa

    • Women In Leadership

    • California Young Democrats

    • California Working Families Party

    • OC Action

    • Santa Ana City Council Members: Thai Viet Phan, Benjamin Vasquez, Jessie Lopez, Johnathan Hernandez

    • Santa Ana USD Trustees: Dr. Rigo Rodriguez, Carolyn Torres, Dr. Alfonso Alvarez, Hector Bustos (All of these trustees voted yes on the historic move by SAUSD to be the first OC School District to fly the Pride Flag from its district office during June)



    Graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2020 with a degree in Criminal Justice


    Received $1,000 in campaign donations from Carolyn Torres, a SAUSD Trustee who has been a consistent LGBTQ+ ally, saying at the board meeting about her time as a teacher, “just the (pride) flag being in my classroom, behind my desk, was a cue to students that this was a safe space - and it was also a cue to students who were thinking about using homophobic slurs, or transphobic slurs, that this is not a safe space to say those kinds of things”. 

    “(SAUSD Faculty who want to display Pride) have to know that we’re ready to support them at the district level and the site level, and the admin needs to be ready to support those teachers as well”. 

    https://sausd-test.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Regular+Board+Meeting+February+27%2C+2024/1_gdm8x929/344632042 


    Received $1,000 in campaign donations from Hector Bustos, the openly gay SAUSD Trustee who championed the effort for the district to acknowledge Pride month and to fly the Pride flag, as well as passing a policy to protect transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming students in SAUSD. He said, “I’m committed and I know this board, this district is committed, to our LGBTQ+ students.  And that’s why this (the resolution to fly the Pride flag), this resolution today, means even more than it probably would have a year ago (prior to additional policies being passed) - because I wanted to make sure that we weren’t just going to raise a flag and say, ‘well, we’ve raised the flag, we’ve done enough’ - no.  We can’t just celebrate our LGBTQ+ community during the month of June.  We need to do more.  Because we are LGBTQ+ every single day of our lives”. 

    https://www.sausd.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=25349&dataid=121184&FileName=BP%205145.31%20TRANSGENDER%20NON-BINARY%20AND%20GENDER%20NONCONFORMING%20STUDENTS%205-9-23%20final.pdf



    Received $150 from Charitable Ventures, a local non-profit that Pride at the Pier has partnered with. 


    Many of her donations are small dollar amounts, coming from educators, social workers, and working class folks (based on job titles provided). 


    Received a $1,500 donation from the progressive group, Women in Leadership. 


  • Candidate for Santa Ana USD Area 2


    Endorsed by Jorge Valdes and Tim Shaw, two OC BOE Trustees who have consistently worked against the LGBTQ+ community, including by voting to sue the state over AB 1955, the SAFETY Act. 


    Endorsed by far-right Nancy’s Picks, who characterized him as “is a zealous defender of parents’ rights, protecting school children, strongly  believing in rights of parents to choose”. 


    Endorsed by the OC GOP


    Endorsed by the anti-LGBTQ “Reform California” 


    supported by the PAC “Santa Ana Families for Excellence in Education, Yes on Boucher-Reyes, Lebsack and Suarez, No on Alvarez and Rodriguez for SAUSD” 

    The above PAC received $3,500 from Michael Harrah of Caribou Industries, a local real estate mogul and a board member of the Lincoln Club, a far-right political organization in Orange County with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. 

    https://michaelfharrah.com/about/#:~:text=Michael%20F.,hotel%20resorts%20and%20entertainment%20venues.

    Also received $1,000 from Verde Consulting (asking KM for more info)


    Represented by 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. 



    His campaign instagram includes a post encouraging people to watch ‘Sound of Freedom”, the film that garnered heavy criticism for its characterization of human trafficking in a manner in which experts called ‘inaccurate and sensationalized’.  The movie gained a cult following amongst QAnon believers and self-proclaimed “MAGA” Republicans. https://www.instagram.com/p/CuPNZwarePI/ 


    One of his campaign promises is “(2) INVOLVE PARENTS IN REVIEWING PROPOSED CURRICULUM

    I would like parents to have an open-and-honest platform where they are not prohibited and not ignored to speak their opposition to any proposed curriculum that, (from the context of their culture, tradition, and belief system),  may detrimentally-impact their children's' lives for a lifetime.” Pride at the Pier recognizes this as a dog-whistle, especially in the context of the anti-LGBTQ+ activists and leaders supporting his campaign. 

    https://www.facebook.com/BoucherReyes4SAUSD



  • Candidate for Santa Ana USD - Trustee Area 3


    Was endorsed in his 2020 run by Chispa.  “Launching in 2017, Chispa operates with a focus in three tiers; base building, policy, and elections. By creating an infrastructure for young people to engage in policy campaigns, and taking a position on candidates, Chispa is an organization that represents young Latinos / Latinx in all levels of government.”


    Endorsed by Cooperative Campaigns, a political volunteer cooperative dedicated to getting progressive candidates elected in Orange County, and in particular, People-run campaigns free of moneyed influence, and Participatory Democracy & Governance in Local Government


    Voted Yes: 

    SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 RESOLUTION NO. 23/24 - 3544 3 RECOGNIZING JUNE AS 2SLGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH 4 and 5 OCTOBER AS 2SLGBTQIA+ HISTORY MONTH BY RAISING PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG 6 AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE

    https://sausd-test.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Regular+Board+Meeting+February+27%2C+2024/1_gdm8x929/344632042


  • Candidate for Santa Ana USD Area 3


    Tamiko has not filed any of the required campaign finances forms that she’s legally obligated to report to the OC Registrar of Voters, so we cannot say who is financially supporting her campaign. 


    Endorsed by far-right “Nancy’s Picks”, who characterized Tamiko as “Former teacher, who supports back-to-basics, fundamental schools, and believes in transparency and parent's right to know”. 


    Endorsed by the far right, anti-LGBTQ group Reform California


    While her presence online is very limited, she does appear to be the sole individual (at least publicly facing) behind the No on Measure I campaign. Measure I is an Santa Ana bond measure aimed at improving SAUSD facilities. 


  • Candidate for SAUSD Trustee Area 3


    While Dana doesn’t seem to have any campaign finance filings for herself, she is supported by the PAC “Santa Ana Families for Excellence in Education, Yes on Boucher-Reyes, Lebsack and Suarez, No on Alvarez and Rodriguez for SAUSD” 


    The above PAC received $3,500 from Michael Harrah of Caribou Industries, a local real estate mogul and a board member of the Lincoln Club, a far-right political organization in Orange County with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. https://michaelfharrah.com/about/#:~:text=Michael%20F.,hotel%20resorts%20and%20entertainment%20venues. 

    Also received $1,000 from Verde Consulting (asking KM for more info)


    Represented by 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. 



    Dana’s income reportings for the Orange County Registrar of Voters lists her job as a “mental health counselor” (which is different than a therapist, social worker, or psychologist, needing much less education and licensing requirements in CA) for a company called “Mary’s Path”. 


    Mary’s Path is a “Pregnancy Care Center” organization in Orange County that focuses on teens in foster care.  Its homepage explicitly states its anti-abortion mission, and it appears to be a part of the controversial “troubled teen” industry. “Many of our residents have run away from both foster homes and family homes. A very common theme is that our residents have run away for a significant amount of time and turn themselves into the authorities to receive care for themselves and their unborn child. The baby becomes the stabilizing factor.”


    Per their instagram, Mary’s Path pushed hard against SB 1043, a bill that would have required state-level transparency for short-term residential therapeutic programs, asking for published information about their usage of restraints and seclusion rooms on their patients.  SB 1043 did pass into law this summer, and Mary’s Path seems to be one of the programs now held to this new standard.  


    Dana, as a mental health counselor for Mary’s Path, does not have any information available online about her involvement in restraints or seclusion rooms used in patient treatment at Mary’s Path. 


    https://legiscan.com/CA/text/SB1043/id/2962602


Santa Ana Unified School District

Rancho Santiago Community College District

  • Candidate for Rancho Santiago Community College Board

    District Area 3


    BE AWARE: Ceci Iglesias is the founder of the “Parents’ Union” at the California Policy Center. The CPC is a very well-funded and organized, extreme anti-public education, anti-LGBTQ+ organization. They’ve been heavily involved in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative and litigation efforts across California.  The “Parents’ Union’ is a group that works to train far-right individuals to get further involved in local politics. 


    Ceci Iglesias is involved at an Executive level in anti-LGBTQ+ efforts. 



    Personal Website: [https://ceciliaiglesias.com] 

    ^ THIS SITE SEEMS TO BE DOWN CURRENTLY

    Find Ceci’s 2020 Santa Ana Mayoral Candidacy Campaign Website here: 

    “I will work with all residents, schools, churches, nonprofits and businesses to make Santa Ana vibrant again.“


    Ceci does not seem to have a campaign website for the Rancho Santiago CCD race. 



    You can find her Candidate Statement here: 

    “With your vote, together we can move our students’ College Education forward and make the Santa Ana Community College Experience Great Again!!”



    Social Media: 

    Personal Facebook: 

    Political Facebook:

    Instagram: NONE FOUND

    Twitter: NONE FOUND




    Endorsed by: 

    (PAST ENDORSEMENT:) “Cecilia Iglesias for Orange County supervisor: Endorsement” - OC REGISTER (for 2022 Endorsement for OC Board Of Supervisors – no 2024 endorsement)

    “Cecilia Iglesias is the best choice of the bunch [to represent the majority-Latino Second District of the Orange County Board of Supervisors], with her long record of speaking truth to power.”



    NEW SANTA ANA - “Sal Tinajero opts out of his college board seat and endorses Ceci Iglesias” 

    “Sal Tinajero, the President of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, has opted not to run for reelection in the upcoming November General Election, and has endorsed former Santa Ana City Councilwoman and former SAUSD School Board Member Ceci Iglesias for his college board seat. This is a bit surprising as Tinajero is a liberal Democrat and Iglesias is a Republican. However they have known each other for years and both served on the SAUSD School Board together.” 



    News:




    Follow the Money: 

    As of 9.21.2024, Ceci had raised $12,996.00. However, she did not report the individual donations in her reporting - this is an unusual situation.  While we can’t confirm, it /appears/ that she just excluded those pages from her filings.  We aren’t able to advise who her campaign donors are.


  • Candidate for Rancho Santiago Community College Board

    District Area 3


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

    “After the Marine Corps I graduated UC Irvine and then law school where I volunteered in the Immigrant Justice Clinic representing Special Immigrant Juveniles fleeing persecution. (…) Law School made me one of the 43 million Americans shouldering the student loans that are part and parcel of the American dream.“



    Find his Candidate Statement here:

    “Our community is impacted by problems such as stagnant wages and economic uncertainty. Our community colleges are the pathway to so many family firsts. I have benefited from the

    affordability of a community college and we need to make sure that they remain affordable.”



    Social Media: 

    Personal Facebook: 

    Political Facebook:

    Instagram: 

    Twitter: NONE FOUND

    LinkedIn: 



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 



    Endorsed by: 

    • Orange County Democrats:

    • Orange County Young Democrats:

    • Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Orange and San Bernardino Counties

    • LA/OC Building Trades

    • Western State Regional Council of Carpenters

    • Avelino Valencia - Assemblymember

    • Tom Daly - Former Assemblymember

    • Valerie Amezcua - Santa Ana Mayor

    • Thai Viet Phan - Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem 

    • Phil Bacerra - Santa Ana Councilmember

    • David Penaloza - Santa Ana Councilmember

    • Kim Nguyen-Penaloza - Garden Grove Councilmember

    • Jon Dumitru - City of Orange Councilmember

    • Danny Vega - Police Oversight Commissioner 

    • Zeke Hernandez - RSCCD Trustee

    • John Palacio - Former SAUSD Trustee

    • Denise Reynoso - SAUSD Teacher

    • Carl Benninger - Santa Ana Planning Commissioner




    News:

    “In 2022, Bacerra’s campaign contributed to Andrew Linares’ failed school board campaign. Linares later became Bacerra’s aide.”



    Follow the Money: 

    In Sep 2024, Linares’ campaign received $1000 from Bacerra for City Council


  • Candidate for Rancho Santiago Community College Board

    District Area 3


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

    “I advocate for affordable and high-quality college education to equip students to compete for high-wage jobs.”


    Nelida endorsed Lloyd Boucher-Reyes for SAUSD.  Boucher-Reyes is openly anti-LGBTQ. 


    Candidate Statement:

    “I aim to inspire our K-12 and adult students to pursue college and career education, providing the tools for them to achieve professions that offer living wages and optimal working conditions.”



    Social Media (clickable links):

    Personal Facebook: 

    Old Political Facebook: 

    Instagram: 

    Twitter: 

    LinkedIn: 

    Old LinkedIn: 


    Nelida supported a Recall of Ceci Iglesias, a far-right Santa Ana City Council member.  The Recall was successful, and Nelida was chosen to replace her. 



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    ***Mendoza isn’t following anyone on IG. 


    Endorsed by: 



    News:


    “Santa Ana welcomes replacement City Council Member Nelida Mendoza” - NEW SANTA ANA

    “Councilmember Mendoza was appointed as a Commissioner on the City of Santa Ana’s Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission (ETAC) by then-Councilmember Claudia Alvarez, and as the Chairperson for the Community Redevelopment and Housing Commission.”


    “Noncitizens would be allowed to vote in Santa Ana under November ballot measure” - ABC 7:”

    “We have not heard back from former Santa Ana councilmember Nelida Mendoza who authored the argument against Measure DD, [which would allow any person who has established residency in that city to vote in local elections, regardless of citizenship status - as long as the person meets California's other voting requirements].


    On the ballot Mendoza's statement reads in part: ‘This would cost the city $10 million, leading to massive budget cuts in public safety, emergency services, and other city priorities. ... We support our immigrant residents and Santa Ana is a vibrant city rich in the traditions of immigrant communities, families, and businesses. But we must assess the importance of protecting neighborhoods, cleaning and fixing our streets, and picking up trash.’”



    Follow the Money: 

    • Aug 2024 - $4000 from Committee to Elect Nelida Mendoza For City Council 2026

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  • Candidate

    CA Congressional Rep, 47th District


    Candidate Statement:

    https://ocvote.gov/fileadmin/user_upload/elections/GEN2024/cs/1160-1.pdf


    Email: Info@Davemin.com


    Political Party: Democrat 

    Major platform: environmental (addressing climate crisis) 



    ACLU score: 100%

    Equality CA score: 100%

    Planned Parenthood score: 100% 


    Endorsements:

    https://davemin.com/endorsements

    CA Democratic Party

    Equality CA

    Stonewall Democratic Club 

    Wave4All

    OCYD 

    National Union of Healthcare Workers

    Teamsters 


    Instagram:

    @Sendavemin 

    Recognizes major holidays, including Pride month and Juneteenth. 


    Voting Record:

    AB1078 prohibits book bans - voted yes 

    AB1955 prohibits school districts from mandating parental notification of student pronouns - voted yes


  • Candidate

    CA Congressional Rep, 47th District


    Candidate Statement:

    https://ocvote.gov/fileadmin/user_upload/elections/GEN2024/cs/1160-2.pdf


    Email: info@baughforcongress.com 


    Political Party: Republican 

    Major platform: securing the border, balancing the budget 



    ACLU score: 

    Equality CA score: 

    Planned Parenthood score: 0%


    Endorsements: 

    https://baughforcongress.com/endorsements/

    CA Republican Party 

    Lincoln Club of OC 

    National Rifle Association 

    Speaker Mike Johnson 

    Reform CA 

    CA College Republicans 


    Recommended by: 

    https://www.nancyspicks.com/vote-picks




    Affiliations: 

    Founder and Trustee: Pacifica Christian High School 

    Campaigned at a church with Advocates for Faith and Freedom X/Twitter


    Instagram

    @baughforcongress 

    Waving American flags 


    Respect for Marriage Act - “Fundamentally I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” 

    Women’s Health Protection Act - “I would never support that. I believe life begins at conception.”

    Assault Weapons Ban - “You’re not going to solve the gun violence issue in this country by taking away constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.”

    (NBC News interview)

47th District, House of Representatives

37th District, CA State Senate

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Costa Mesa Sanitary District

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Irvine Ranch Water District

Coast Community College District

  • Candidate for Coast College Community District Area 2


    Campaign Website: 

    https://joedovinh.com/ (this is Dovinh’s website for his city council candidacy)



    Candidate Statement:


    “I have taught community college and understand the needs of students and educators. I come from a family of educators, on my side and my wife’s side. 

    …

    You can count on me to take advocacy positions on public policies and legislation that protects and promotes our students and local colleges.”




    Social Media: 

    Facebook: 

    Instagram: none found

    Twitter: 



    Endorsed by: 


    Nancy’s Picks (conservative-leaning) gave Dovinh this tepid half-endorsement:

    “JOE DOVINH is also a DEM, and currently serves on Garden Grove City Council, elected in 2022, and married to former Garden Grove City Councilmember, Dina NGUYEN. (If I lived in Dist 2, I’d probably vote DOVINH, to block PHU NGUYEN)”





    News:

    • “Here Are Garden Grove Candidates’ Views on Housing, Homelessness, and Resort”

    https://voiceofoc.org/2022/10/here-are-garden-grove-candidates-views-on-housing-homelessness-and-resort/

    Dovinh was the only candidate in his district to respond to the questionnaire.  He’s in favor of transparency, government accountability, building more affordable housing, and helping the homeless.

    https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/04/meet-joe-dovinh-phus-democratic-challenger/

    “I’ve always been a Democrat.  I’ve never registered as a Republican.”




    Follow the Money: 

    Dovinh appears to have taken no donations for the 2024 election cycle.



     


  • Candidate for Coast College Community District Area 2


    Campaign Website: 

    Tagline: “EMPOWERING OUR FUTURE, TODAY”



    Candidate Statement:

    “For nearly 30 years, I have been actively involved in the education field, from serving as a student leader to parent advocate, and now as Trustee on the Fountain Valley School District Governing Board.

    …

    As a Governing Board Member, I will provide fiscal oversight and transparency, prioritize removing any barrier to student achievement, and work to ensure that our colleges remain

    accessible and affordable to all. Every student deserves an opportunity to succeed!”


    Social Media: 

    Facebook: 

    Instagram: None Found

    Twitter: None Found




    Endorsed by: 

    Katrina Foley

    Orange County Democrats 

    Orange Juice Blog (liberal-leaning) 


    Nancy’s Picks’ anti-endorsement:  “Please DO NOT VOTE for PHU NGUYEN. My research show him to be “Ultra-Liberal”, endorsed by Democrat Party of OC, local teachers Union (Coast Fed of Educators), and a whole slew of liberal “D” elected officials, including ultra-liberal, Katrina Foley. He currently one of the liberal members on the FOUNTAIN VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD.“





    News:

    None Found


    Follow the Money: 

    https://public.netfile.com/pub2/?AID=coc

    No listing for Nguyen there.


  • Candidate for Coast College Community District Area 2


    Linda is, essentially, a ghost.  It was very difficult to find any information on her - she doesn’t seem to be running a very active campaign. 


    Campaign Website: 

    None Found


    Candidate Statement:

    NONE FOUND



    Social Media: 

    Facebook: None Found

    Instagram: None Found

    Twitter: None Found



    Endorsed by: 

    None Found



    News:

    According to this, Zamora was a Democrat when she ran for Garden Grove School Board: https://ocpolitical.com/2012/10/30/republican-democrat-independent-the-partisan-affiliations-of-everyone-running-everything-in-orange-county/



    Follow the Money: 

    None Found