Below you will find every single race that can be found in Laguna Beach, 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.
Laguna Beach
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Candidate for Laguna Beach City Council (at large election)
Career: Business Executive - Telecom Industry
Website: https://www.georgeweisscitycouncil.org/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWeiss4CityCouncil/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgeweiss_lbFollowing on Social Media:
Local businesses and municipalitiesPublic Record:
George Weiss, Laguna Beach City Council candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/04/george-weiss-laguna-beach-city-council-candidate-2024-election-questionnaire/
Village Laguna Radio Interview for 2024 election:
https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/afdd59_18fa2a534d00465ea27c79af8f7a8944.mp3Article on George Weiss, Laguna Indy - Aug 2024:
https://www.georgeweisscitycouncil.org/_files/ugd/afdd59_af95e73411d94617b6d916ddc0eb07e8.pdfCity Council faces off in forum - Aug 2024:
https://www.georgeweisscitycouncil.org/_files/ugd/afdd59_3cf154a1c1e140bdb28558fa0b024ff1.pdf
Incumbent Councilmember comments on Promenade… - Sept 2024:
https://afdd5974-b7bb-4127-80fe-36659f18598f.usrfiles.com/ugd/afdd59_10547c4688524aeea9d792d2f5edc2f4.pdfLaguna Beach Keeps Hostile Workplace Investigation Secret - Nov 2023
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/11/laguna-beach-keeps-hostile-workplace-investigation-secret/Laguna Beach Independent: Letter to Editor
https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/opinion/letter-bully-for-george/article_1224ec3c-f2a8-5725-b6d8-a3ea597a6747.htmlOC District Attorney Says Laguna Beach City Council Violated Brown Act - Sept 2021
https://voiceofoc.org/2021/09/oc-district-attorney-says-laguna-beach-city-council-violated-brown-act/Council censures Weiss for leaking confidential closed session information - Aug 2021
https://www.stunewslagunaarchives.com/index.php/archives-prior-to-2024/city-hall-archive/18352-council-censures-weiss-for-leaking-confidential-081321Laguna Beach City Council censures George Weiss for closed session leak - Aug 2021
https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/do-not-import/laguna-beach-city-council-censures-george-weiss-for-closed-session-leak/article_d1198f08-c10a-53a1-8198-e15188d3402c.htmlLaguna Beach City Council Censures Another Colleague - Aug 2021
https://voiceofoc.org/2021/08/laguna-beach-city-council-censures-another-colleague/Priorities (found on web site):
https://afdd5974-b7bb-4127-80fe-36659f18598f.usrfiles.com/ugd/afdd59_bb8459f645044148baef8bb4fedc2a08.pdf
~ Solving Congestion: Plan how to limit so that we can get visitors and residents safely out in an emergency
~Crime Mapping: Ensuring safe neighborhoods means giving residents tools like knowing what crimes are occurring where
~Fire Safety: Purchase privately owned land in high severity fire zones to reduce the fire risks associated with development in those areas and preserve the green belt for future generations
~Fund the City Council passed/promised projects first: Like the community pool and the $4.2M we have from the County to upgrade the Library
~ Prioritize spending: Limit which projects to undertake, and fund those that benefit residents the most.
~Establish Public/Private partnerships: To fund projects like affordable housing. Our artists, local workers, and seniors deserve affordable rentals.
~ Preserve our unique and fragile urban landscapes, open space, ocean and coastline: We moved here for Laguna’s beauty.
~Repair and enhance our infrastructures: Fix our sewer lines so there aren’t any more 3M- gallon raw sewage spills on our beaches and streets. Supporting parks/beaches.
~Responsible development: Support development that is compatible with the unique architectural character of our town’s buildings and neighborhoods, such as we saw with the renovation of the Rivian Theatre.
~Switch to renewable energy whenever possible: We are moving to electrifying our City fleet vehicles and adding more charging stations and solar microgrids per my initiatives. We need to allow residents the right to choose renewable electrical energy over fossil fuels.Public Endorsements:
Village Laguna Radio
Long list of individual endorsements at the bottom of his site: https://www.georgeweisscitycouncil.org/
Endorsements made at city council meeting - Sept 2024:
https://www.georgeweisscitycouncil.org/_files/ugd/afdd59_d8df35e2cf164c7f81093419224ba78d.pdfVoting Record:
Senate Bill 1055 supported by the entire council: https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/home/showpublisheddocument/17899/638442097295870000
(This bill would incentivize municipalities to meet their affordable housing needs in order to revert to the ministerial approval of 16 foot height limits on attached accessory dwelling units (ADUs).)Assembly Bill 2817 supported by entire council:
https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/home/showpublisheddocument/17897/638442097113970000
(AB 2817 will give legislative authorization to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to consider relinquishment of a segment of State Route (SR) 1 to the City of Laguna Beach.)Priorities:
He made these changes while in city council so far -
- Residents reported being treated in an antagonistic manner by our City Council (CC) and Executive staff. I worked to change that, and we now have a more professional Executive City Team and staff than when I started with fewer resident complaints about dismissive treatment.
- Some texted that they were afraid to speak in front of City Council because of insulting responses made from the dais. I spearheaded civil communication standards.
- Per complaints about a lack of transparency from CC, I alert residents on upcoming hot topics and email recaps of Council meetings with an explanation of my votes.
- Residents now receive 12-day advance notice of future agenda items per my initiative.*I protected our library from being moved from its current location.
- We now have the Rivian theater and community center over some CC members’ objections thanks to my work.
- I initiated financial assistance for those living or working in Laguna impacted by the pandemic.Top Campaign Contributors:
None Found
Ratings:
None Found -
Candidate for Laguna Beach City Council (at large election)
Website: https://www.bobwhalenlagunabeachcitycouncil.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobwhalenforcitycouncil/
Following on Social media:
Laguna Beach city accountsPublic Record:
Bob Whalen, Laguna Beach City Council candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/04/bob-whalen-laguna-beach-city-council-candidate-2024-election-questionnaire/
Laguna Talks Local Radio Show - Sept 2024OC Register 2024 Candidate Questionnaire
LA Times: Bob Whalen, George Weiss begin reelection campaigns for Laguna Beach City Council
Priorities (found on web site):
https://www.bobwhalenlagunabeachcitycouncil.com/whalen-goals
- Implement strategies to mitigate the impact of visitors on our neighborhoods, beaches and open space
- Continue efforts to enhance wildfire safety and make fire insurance more available
- Improve safety on Laguna Canyon Road and reduce wildfire risk by undergrounding utilities and adding pedestrian and bike paths
- Develop a long-range funding strategy to update our aging fire stations and other infrastructure
- Promote fiscal responsibility with a balanced budget and strong reserves
- Expand public parking to relieve pressure on our neighborhoods
- Create more affordable housing opportunities for local seniors, artists and workers
- Protect our neighborhoods and increase City revenues by enforcing the ban on unpermitted short-term lodging
- Improve the environment by implementing the recommendations in the upcoming Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
- Increase local water supplies and resiliency through a combination of groundwater, desalinization [SIC] and recycled water
- Improve ocean water quality by reducing stormwater runoff and renovating the wastewater treatment plant on Aliso CreekCommittees:
Served as Laguna Beach mayor
Laguna Beach Planning Commission
Laguna Beach School Board (member and president)
Laguna Art Museum Board of DirectorsPublic Endorsements:
https://www.bobwhalenlagunabeachcitycouncil.com/new-page
State Senator Dave Min
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris
Supervisor Katrina Foley
Mayor Sue Kempf
Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi
Councilmember Mark Orgill
Laguna Beach DemocratsVoting Record:
Senate Bill 1055 supported by the entire council: https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/home/showpublisheddocument/17899/638442097295870000
(This bill would incentivize municipalities to meet their affordable housing needs in order to revert to the ministerial approval of 16 foot height limits on attached accessory dwelling units (ADUs).)Assembly Bill 2817 supported by entire council:
https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/home/showpublisheddocument/17897/638442097113970000
(AB 2817 will give legislative authorization to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to consider relinquishment of a segment of State Route (SR) 1 to the City of Laguna Beach.)Work he did while on city council:
https://www.bobwhalenlagunabeachcitycouncil.com/whalen-councilTop Campaign Contributors:
None FoundRatings:
None Found -
Candidate for Laguna Beach City Council (at large election)
Judie Agreed to take the Do No Harm Pledge, saying, “That’s a really nice pledge. I’m happy to take it”.
Career: Founder & CEO of Social Compassion in Legislation
Website: https://judiemancuso.com/
Contact Info:
info@judiemancuso.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/JudieMancusoAD72/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/judiemancusoFollowing on Social Media:
PETA
Arm the Animals
Rock the Vote
House Democrats
Vegan Community
Women in Leadership
Democrat OC PAC
Planned Parenthood
Barack Obama
Beto O’Rourke
#vegancosmetics
#veganmakeupshare
#priscillapresley
Tagged in posts related to March for Our Lives, abortion support rallies, animal welfare events2024 News:
Judie Mancuso, Laguna Beach City Council candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/04/judie-mancuso-laguna-beach-city-council-candidate-2024-election-questionnaire/
Local Elections Start - July 2024:
https://orangecountytribune.com/2024/07/20/local-election-campaigns-start/
Laguna Talks Radio Interview - Oct 2024:
https://judiemancuso.com/laguna-talks-to-judie-mancuso-by-kx-fm/Other Info:
Judie wrote a book called “Because They Need Us: My Political Fight to Save Animals”
https://socialcompassioninlegislation.org/because-they-need-us
Book synopsis and reviews on Amazon.Priorities (found on web site):
https://judiemancuso.com/issues/Public health and safety
Environmental protection and open space preservation
Good governance and accountability
Livability and affordability
Infrastructure modernization
Listen, learn, lead - being a “voice for the voiceless”
Public Endorsements:
Jane Fonda Climate PAC
Women in Leadership
Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood Orange & San Bernardino CountiesOC Young Democrats
Voting Record:
Supportive of AB 1983: Preventing Euthanasia to Save (P.E.T.S.) Act (offering grants for low cost spay and neuter programs)
Supportive of AB 3162: Opposing Cruelty to Octopus (OCTO) Act
Top Campaign Contributors:
None FoundRatings:
None Found -
Candidate for Laguna Beach City Council (at large election)
Hallie agreed to take the City Council Advocacy Pledge, saying, “I'm proud to take this pledge and commit to supporting our queer community--both in Laguna and beyond. This is close to my heart for personal reasons, but also just because it's the right thing to do. I'm here with you!”
Career: Executive VP and Chief Program Officer - Crystal Cove Conservancy
Website: https://www.hallieforlaguna.com/
Contact Info:
hallie@crystalcove.orgIG: https://www.instagram.com/hallieforlaguna
FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hallie-For-Laguna/61565589872289/
Following on Social Media:
Local businessesLaguna Beach Fire Dept
Local Democratic candidates
OC Young Dems
Social Media Posts:
Speaking on the Forest Avenue Promenade:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1487184631933099Speaking on visitor impacts on local beaches:
https://fb.watch/uYzXJYR3eW/Speaking on the use of glyphosate (Round Up):
https://fb.watch/uYzYZL2Ed2/Recognizing Juneteenth:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8atUpbvNEq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Public Record:
Hallie Jones, Laguna Beach City Council candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/04/hallie-jones-laguna-beach-city-council-candidate-2024-election-questionnaire/
Local Elections Start - July 2024:
https://orangecountytribune.com/2024/07/20/local-election-campaigns-start/Hallie Jones Vies for City Council Seat - July 2024:
https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/hallie-jones-vies-for-city-council-seat/
Hallie on Voice of Laguna - Sept 2024:
https://www.voiceoflaguna.com/podcasts/conversations/episode/city-council-candidate-hallie-jones/Priorities (found on web site):
https://www.hallieforlaguna.com/prioritiesPublic safety and fire protection
Climate change and natural resources
Preserving open space and building climate resiliency [SIC]
Infrastructure and development
Affordable housing and small businesses
Streamlining permit processes for businesses and property owners
Artist housing
Public Endorsements:
https://www.hallieforlaguna.com/endorsementsDave Min, California State Senator
Cottie Petrie-Norris, California State Representative
Sue Kempf, Laguna Beach Mayor
Alex Rounaghi, Laguna Beach Mayor Pro Tem
Mark Orgill, Laguna Beach City Councilmember
Bob Whalen, Laguna Beach City Councilmember
Katrina Foley, OC Supervisor
OC young Democrats
Laguna Beach Democratic Club
Laguna Beach Firefighters AssociationSierra Club
Voting Record:
None Found
Top Campaign Contributors:
None FoundRatings:
None Found
City Council Race
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Website: https://www.electhowardhills.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/howard.hills
IG: https://www.instagram.com/howardhills/
Candidate Issues & Priorities from website:
Restore open, inclusive decision-making and community trust.
Bring back community involvement that fosters unity rather than division.
Prioritize proficiency for student academic and social and well-being.
Be fair, responsible, and clear about finances, without letting politics influence decisions.
Innovate and modernize while preserving their unique community spirit.
Candidate Endorsements:
Conservative-biblical worldview perspective Nancy’s Picks only endorses Howard Hills for this race, and urges “DO NOT VOTE for ANOTHER CANDIDATE-”Bullet Vote” for HILLS ONLY!”
News & Press:
Laguna Beach CA - SCHOOL SCHOOL Board Candidate 2024 | VILLAGE LAGUNALaguna Beach School Board Forum-Women's Club-Moderated by League of Women Voters 2024
OC Register:
Howard Hill and Margaret Mary Warder declined to participate in the OC Register: Laguna Beach Unified School District candidate, 2024 election questionnaire. You can find links to the responses from participating candidates: Jan Vickers, Shari Morgan, and Lauren Boeck under their candidate research sections.Laguna Beach Independent:
Get to know: School board candidate Howard Hills“After re-retiring from federal service, Hills said he didn’t anticipate running for LBUSD School Board again. However, the same concerns as in years past resurfaced.
“I was deeply concerned with how much more rigid and defensive the board had become, rather than open, transparent and tolerant about being questioned or criticized,” Hills said. “I decided to give voters a choice they otherwise would not have, for a board member with a proven record managing positive change for the better.”
“Having educators on the board always adds value, but we need diversity,” said Hills. “We should not have only educators supervising educators. The elected board members govern, and the educators educate. The educators support the board in governing, but educators do not govern in an ultimate or final sense. Board members support educators but do not try to be educators.”
Letter: Parents and community, wake up!
Letter to the editor criticizing current school board’s lack of interest in community feedback. Endorses Sheri Morgan and Howard Hills as “positive change”.Letter: Triumphalism Trivializes Democratic Change written by Howard Hills
“Orange County is where the blue wave made landfall. Voters of all political affiliation who voted for winning candidates earned the right to celebrate. But divided government means Democrats -must govern, not just resist Republican one-party rule. We all hope both parties will perform better than in our last decade.” -
Website: https://votesherimorgan.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sheri.morgan.94
IG: https://www.instagram.com/votesherimorgan/
Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/lagunamom4/
Following on Social Media:Cottie-Petrie Norris - https://www.instagram.com/cottieforstateassembly/
Women for American Values & Ethics - https://www.instagram.com/wave4all/
Moms On The Ground - https://www.instagram.com/momsontheground.ca/
Concerned Moms Of Newport - https://www.instagram.com/concernedmomsofnewport/
Social Media Posts:
On Aug 28th, Morgan updated her FB profile pic to a glowing image of Kamala Harris.
Candidate Issues & Priorities from website:
• Return our schools to a standard of excellence in education – “private school education in a public school setting” - leaning into small class sizes and robust budgets
• Policy reform to empower Board leadership and Community voice
• Return of fiscal responsibility, accountability and oversight. Factor data and the human element to help drive Administrative Board decisions.
• Rebuild community partnerships to strengthen our schools and better utilize community, district and tax payer resources.
Candidate Endorsements:
News & Press:
Laguna Beach CA - SCHOOL SCHOOL Board Candidate 2024 | VILLAGE LAGUNA
Laguna Beach School Board Forum-Women's Club-Moderated by League of Women Voters 2024
OC Register:
Sheri Morgan, Laguna Beach Unified School District candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
“Not every student’s environment has involved or supportive parents, and protecting these students is crucial. Opponents of the law hopefully come to realize it’s to protect the most vulnerable. Support programs, resources and communications could provide information to minimize concerns.
There should be limits to parental involvement when it comes to teaching; it’s a skill set like any other career, but parents’ knowledge and varied perspectives can add value to our district and education that isn’t appreciated enough, and bringing that into focus is overdue.”
Laguna Beach Independent:
Sheri Morgan launches campaign for school board seat
“If elected in November, Morgan states her main campaign objectives are to return Laguna Beach schools to a standard of academic excellence, create policy reform to empower board leadership and community voice, return to fiscal responsibility, accountability and oversight, and rebuild community partnerships to strengthen our schools and use community and district taxpayer resources.”
Letter: School board experience needed
“Sheri and Howard’s only “grievance” is the quality and breadth of education for our children measured against the near-top per-student spending in the state.”
Letter: Parents and community, wake up!
Letter to the editor criticizing current school board’s lack of interest in community feedback. Endorses Sheri Morgan and Howard Hills as “positive change”.
Letter: Morgan Might Mean Well But Can’t Get Out of Her Own Way
“Shelving at least 10 other examples… suffice it to say Sheri Morgan might mean well every time she gets up on the podium to hear herself talk into the microphone, and those of us actively involved in school have seen it over and over, but when it comes to children learning and keeping a level head to govern, I recommend she stay on this side of the podium.”
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Website: https://www.laurenforlbusd.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565018340178
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurenforlbusd/
Follows Kamala Harris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamalaharris/
Candidate Issues & Priorities from website:Enhance communication with the community
Support differentiated learning
Promote sustainability and environmental education
Candidate Endorsements:
Ketta Brown, LBUSD Board Member (2006 - 2018)
Timothy D. Carlyle, LBUSD Board Member (1992 - 1996)
Betsy Jenkins, LBUSD Board Member (2002-2014)
Theresa O’Hare, LBUSD Board Member (2006 - 2014)
Peggy Wolff, LBUSD Board Member (2016 - 2020)
Individual Endorsements List
Conservative-biblical worldview perspective Nancy’s Picks only endorses Howard Hills for this race, and urges “DO NOT VOTE for ANOTHER CANDIDATE-”Bullet Vote” for HILLS ONLY!”
Committees/Volunteer:
Laguna Beach Recreation Committee
El Morro PTA Board (former VP & Secretary)
El Morro School Site Council (Parent Rep)
Laguna Beach Parents Club (Former Membership Admin)
SchoolPower (Secretary)
Laguna Presbyterian Mothers of Preschoolers co-coordinatorNews & Press:
Laguna Beach CA - SCHOOL SCHOOL Board Candidate 2024 | VILLAGE LAGUNA
Laguna Beach School Board Forum-Women's Club-Moderated by League of Women Voters 2024OC Register:
Lauren Boeck, Laguna Beach Unified School District candidate, 2024 election questionnaire
“I do not believe the responsibility of notification to parents of students changing gender identities should fall on the responsibility of school employees. I believe gender identity is a personal issue that should fall in the family arena. That said, I do believe schools have a responsibility to keep students safe and notify parents (or other authorities) if there is a concern for student safety or well-being.Laguna Beach Independent:
Meet Lauren Boeck: Parent, educator and LBUSD school board candidate
Letter: Support for Vickers and Beck -
Website: None Found
FB: No personal or candidate FB pages found, but Vickers appears in FB hashtags - https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/janvickers
IG: None Found
Social Media Posts:
Photo of Vickers campaign signs with Harris campaign imagery.Candidate Issues & Priorities from Candidate Statement:
Continuous Improvement
Every Student, Every Day
Relationships Matter
Sustainability: Carbon Neutral goal by 2030
Environmental Literacy: Grades K-12 - preparing our students to be globally aware and responsible world citizens
Candidate Endorsements:
Ketta Brown, LBUSD Board Member (2006 - 2018)
Timothy D. Carlyle, LBUSD Board Member (1992 - 1996)
Betsy Jenkins, LBUSD Board Member (2002-2014)
Theresa O’Hare, LBUSD Board Member (2006 - 2014)
Peggy Wolff, LBUSD Board Member (2016 - 2020)
Endorsed by Laguna Beach Democratic Club
Conservative-biblical worldview perspective Nancy’s Picks only endorses Howard Hills for this race, and urges “DO NOT VOTE for ANOTHER CANDIDATE-”Bullet Vote” for HILLS ONLY!”
News & Press:
Laguna Beach CA - SCHOOL SCHOOL Board Candidate 2024 | VILLAGE LAGUNA
Laguna Beach School Board Forum-Women's Club-Moderated by League of Women Voters 2024
OC Register: “Jan Vickers, Laguna Beach Unified School District candidate, 2024 election questionnaire”
“In Laguna, we have always welcomed and valued parent volunteer work in the classroom, parent input on committees, adults as mentors in some of our high school programs, etc. However, some critics of our board feel parents should be surveyed and involved in any decision made. We utilize surveys and consider the input valuable; however, it seems for some if the majority supports one position, those with a minority position, then feel they were not heard. Parents in our district provide tremendous support for their students which is so necessary and valuable for student success.”Laguna Beach Independent:
Letter: Support for Vickers and Boeck
Jan Vickers: Sharing district positivity -
Website: None Found
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mmwarder
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mmwarder/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-warder-92b21724/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-warder-b924a832/
Candidate Issues & Priorities from Candidate Statement:
- Strive to reach decision for parents and students that will improve learning profiles
Candidate Endorsements:
Conservative-biblical worldview perspective Nancy’s Picks only endorses Howard Hills for this race, and urges “DO NOT VOTE for ANOTHER CANDIDATE-”Bullet Vote” for HILLS ONLY!”
Professional Awards:
2015 LBUSD School Spirit Award
2016 CSEA Para Educator
2016 President Obama, White House Champion of Change, Awardee
News & Press:
Laguna Beach CA - SCHOOL SCHOOL Board Candidate 2024 | VILLAGE LAGUNA
Laguna Beach School Board Forum-Women's Club-Moderated by League of Women Voters 2024
OC Register:
Howard Hill and Margaret Mary Warder declined to participate in the OC Register: Laguna Beach Unified School District candidate, 2024 election questionnaire. You can find links to the responses from participating candidates: Jan Vickers, Shari Morgan, and Lauren Boeck under their candidate research sections.
LA Times:
Top of the World educator wins nationwide recognition
Paraeducator learned a few lessons herself
Laguna Beach Independent:
Teacher’s Aide Receives White House Honor
Twisting Career Path Leads to an Unexpected Prize