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

Seal Beach

  • Candidate for Los Alamitos Unified School District Area 4


    Campaign Website: https://www.farnaz4losal.org/

    “RAISING THE BAR FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN”

    “... she is the best candidate to champion solutions grounded in the realities of today’s environment and aligned with parents’ perspectives and values in our community.”



    Candidate Statement:

    “Her campaign focuses on … core areas [such as]: Incorporating Parent Perspectives and Values into Decision Making”.  Read in full here



    Social Media: 

    Personal Facebook

    Campaign Facebook

    Instagram

    Twitter: NONE FOUND

    LinkedIn



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    • Several individuals that we are aware of for their LGBTQ+ activism in the local area

    • SOAR For Change (scholarship non-profit)

    • Local school and business accounts




    Endorsed by: 





    News:


    “Farnaz Pardasani, Los Alamitos Unified School District Trustee Area 4 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire” - OC REGISTER

    “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.)”

    Pardasani replied, “As a parent, I see firsthand how critical the role of parents are in education. Personally, I have been highly involved in our kids’ educational experience since preschool. I’ve worked inside the classroom, volunteered for various activities, taken on leadership roles, helped fundraise, donated to sustain our STEM and Arts programs, and more.

    My husband and I feel strongly that our most important job is to raise good humans and responsible citizens. I don’t see that ever ending. In turn, I see our schools as partners in this journey. Partnership requires transparency and two-way communication throughout the relationship.

    As for the new law in California, I’m taking time to educate myself. I’m talking to our community to better understand perspectives. Sometimes, in trying to do good, we lose sight of the unintended consequences of a regulation.

    In our district, we generally get it right over time — balancing the need to meet the demands of our state’s legislature while staying true to our community’s values. With me on the board, I will work on behalf of all parents to ensure our policies reflect our community’s values.”


    Farnaz Pardasani named McGaugh [Elementary School’s] ‘Hero of the Heart’”

    Pardasani, who currently serves as President of the McGaugh Parent Teacher Association, works tirelessly to ensure that parents and students have what they need to succeed, said Gates. He said Pardasani personally authored a grant application that raised the $3000 needed to cover the costs of a social/emotional parent workshop.



    Follow the Money: 

    • $3771 in “Marketing Supplies” from Los Alamitos Education Association PAC

    • $400 from the Seal Beach Leisure World Dem Club

    • $3772 from “proud union print shop” Press Print (press-print.net)



     


  • Candidate for Los Alamitos Unified School District Area 4


    *** L. Bobby Papoulias received our invitation to take the School Board Advocacy Pledge, as did every other school board candidate in Orange County.  He responded to decline, and when he realized that we would be sharing his reply in the voter guide (something that was made clear in the initial email), he went back and forth between demanding that we share the full email interaction, and threatening legal action if we shared it.  After consulting with our legal team, we have decided to share the entire thread in full.  Please find it at the bottom of his information here. ***


    Campaign Website: https://drpap4losal.org/

    “A VOICE FOR MOM & DAD”

    “Dr. Papoulias promises to create an environment where families are fully informed and actively involved in their children's education.”



    Candidate Statement: Read in full here

    “He recognizes the challenges posed by the rapidly changing landscape of online communication and information access, which often diverge from traditional family values. His candidacy is driven by the need to stay ahead of these changes, ensuring that parents have a strong voice in helping their child’s educational environment align with their traditional family values. Dr. Papoulias promises to foster transparency among teachers, administrators, and, most importantly, parents. He is dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of families within the district, steering clear of agendas and fleeting social trends. He seeks to create an educational system where the interests of families are heard, ensuring the well-being of our children for the future.”



    Social Media: 

    Campaign Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61555150200172

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpap4losal/

    Twitter: https://x.com/BobbyPapoulias

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


    On his facebook, Papoulias posted a question for his supporters, asking families who left Los Al USD between 2020-2024 what it would take them to come back.  The only comment on the post comes from a supporter who said, “Oak Middle School celebrated Pride Week with daily PowerPoint slideshows that had links to gay porn sites. The elementary school took their 5th graders to camps where the counselors were “non-binary” and so males were sleeping in the young girls cabins. The high school’s “award winning” musicals openly mocked christian churches. Shall I go on? Drugs and sex in the high school bathrooms”.  While Bobby did not like the post, it has remained untouched on his platform - we think it’s notable that he’s allowing such incredibly anti-LGBTQ+ language to go unanswered on his page - especially claims that the schools are sending middle schoolers to gay porn sites. 


    Papoulias was an enthusiastic supporter of the ballot initiative “Restricts Rights of Transgender Youth”, which would have done the following;

    • Create a state-level forced outing policy for CA schools

    • Ban transgender girls from K-12 sports (not trans boys, notably…)

    • Ban all forms of gender affirming care for trans youth in CA

    Papoulias advertised on his social media a signature event in Seal Beach for the ballot initiative, which failed to qualify for the November ballot. 



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 


    On Twitter, this candidate follows:

    • Donald Trump

    • Kristi Noem

    • Ron DeSantis




    Endorsed by: 

    Nancy’s Picks (far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ local ballot guide)



    News:

    • PAPOULIAS IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHO DID NOT ANSWER THE OC REGISTER’S CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

    • No notable news found



    Follow the Money: 

    NO NOTABLE DONATIONS



    ***What follows is the full email discourse between Pride at the Pier and L. Bobby Papoulias regarding the School Board Advocacy Pledge. ***


    On Sep 24, 2024, at 11:34 AM, Pride at the Pier <prideatthepier@gmail.com> wrote:

    “Hello L. Bobby Papoulias,

    We here at Pride at the Pier, a queer, political advocacy non-profit in Orange County, are creating a non-partisan ballot guide for the local OC races this election season. 

    In connection with that, we are writing to invite you to take the Advocacy Pledge, a commitment to uphold principles of inclusivity, equity, and respect. This pledge is a crucial step in ensuring that our community remains a welcoming and supportive place for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.

    The Advocacy Pledge includes the following commitments:

    1. Acknowledgement of the Separation of Church and State: Affirmation of the importance of maintaining a clear separation between religious beliefs and public policy.

    1. Open Dialogue with the LGBTQ+ Community: Commitment to seeking out and engaging in open and respectful dialogue with members of the LGBTQ+ community in your role.

    1. Prioritizing Safety, Dignity, and Equity: Pledge to prioritize the safety, dignity, and equity of all constituents, including marginalized communities.

    1. Acknowledgement of Federal and State Protections: Pledge to abide by AB 1955, The Safety Act, which prohibits enforcement of forced outing policies. Pledge to abide by the current Title IX language, which prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics in schools that receive federal funding.

    1. Respect for Students’ Human Rights: Pledge to acknowledge that students in your jurisdiction are full fledged human beings who are not “owned” by any other human being, and should feel safe and have the autonomy to be themselves in school spaces. 

    By taking this pledge, you are demonstrating your dedication to creating a community that values diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all. A response is requested via email reply to this message. A lack of response will be considered a decline to take the pledge. 

    I hope you will consider taking the Advocacy Pledge. Your response will be included in our ballot guide that will be widely distributed across Orange County.

    Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Kanan Durham

    Executive Director” 


    On Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 12:06 PM L. Bobby Papoulias, Ed.D. <drpap4losal@gmail.com> wrote:

    “I would like to express my concerns regarding the tone of your recent email. It feels as though I am being pressured to pledge my support without having had the opportunity to engage with you or your organization. This approach does not foster a professional dialogue.


    As I am running for a non-partisan position, I believe our focus should be on issues that directly impact our community, particularly in safeguarding our children in schools. I encourage you to direct your efforts towards political roles that align more closely with your goals.


    Peace out ✌️”



    On Oct 2, 2024, at 1:13 PM, Pride at the Pier <prideatthepier@gmail.com> wrote:

    “Thank you so much, Bobby!  We will include your response in our ballot guide, which will go live on our website on October 5th. 


    Our website is prideatthepier.org, and you can also follow us all over social media - our instagram can be found here.  We wish you the best of luck, and extend an invitation to reach out to us if you are looking for any resources within the OC LGBTQ+ community. 


    Best,

    The Pride at the Pier Team


    Additional Note: Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! We are open to conversation.”



    On Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 1:27 PM L. Bobby Papoulias, Ed.D. <drpap4losal@gmail.com> wrote:

    “Please ensure that you include your original email (in its entirely) for context when sharing any responses. It is important to provide the complete request to maintain clarity, especially when communicating with public officials. If the original context is not included, I will need to take further action to address the potential misrepresentation of my response. Thank you for your understanding.”



    On Oct 2, 2024, at 1:34 PM, Pride at the Pier <prideatthepier@gmail.com> wrote:

    “Yes, we will be including a hyperlink to the full message that was sent to the candidates, so that there's clarity on the communication, and we'll be including your full email reply to that message. Every school board candidate in Orange County received the same email, to maintain an ethical standard. 


    We are a non-profit, and this is a non-partisan ballot guide - our sole intent is to educate voters on the candidates' stances.  If you have any further questions about the Advocacy Pledge request, our work, or the issues brought up in the pledge, we are more than happy to answer them


    Have a great day!”

    ***The Hyperlink to the message we refer to can be found on the Voter Guide main page


    On Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 2:45 PM, L. Bobby Papoulias, Ed.D. <drpap4losal@gmail.com> wrote: 

    “I would like to emphasize the importance of adhering to California law, specifically under California Civil Code § 3344, which addresses the publication of another person's name or likeness without consent (which you do not have).


    If you do move forward (which I would highly advise against), It is crucial to publish both the original email context and the response together to ensure compliance and avoid any potential issues. A link will not suffice in this matter, as it separates the context of the original Email from my response. I wish to avoid escalating this matter unnecessarily so be sure to adhere to CA codes. It’s up to you and your organization on what you wish to  do moving forward. Not only have I provided the code for you, but you have also been notified before publication (Oct. 5th).


    Your last email was significantly more constructive than the initial correspondence. It conveyed a much better tone and provided clarity regarding your actions.


    Effective communication fosters productive dialogue. The tone of the initial email lacked professionalism, which hindered our ability to engage meaningfully. In the future, I encourage you to initiate discussions about your initiatives before seeking my endorsement. This approach would not only be more professional but also responsible, as it allows me to fully understand your work. It is unfortunate that we could not have had a conversation beforehand.


    Peace out ✌️ 

    Dr, Papoulias


    For more detailed information, you can refer to the official California Legislative Information website: California CivilCode § 3344.


    LINK: https://california.public.law/codes/ca_civ_code_section_3344



    The civil code that Papoulias references here concerns the usage of a person’s likeness without their consent for their purposes of profit, and does not apply in this situation.  Additionally, Papoulias is a candidate for public office, and therefore there is a different legal standard.  And last, we are sharing this information with journalistic intent - we are under no obligation to withhold information from the public that can better inform and educate. 


    If you would like a PDF copy of this email interaction, please contact us at prideatthepier@gmail.com to request it.  Thank you!

  • Candidate for Los Alamitos Unified School District Area 5


    Campaign Website:  https://perlamendoza.com/

    On her website, she says, “Perla will work to Champion Parental Rights: I believe that parents should have a strong voice in their children's education. Schools will collaborate closely with families to reflect their values and concerns. I'm committed to ensuring transparency, promoting parental involvement, and upholding the rights of parents to make decisions about their children's educational journey.”



    Candidate Statement:

    “My conviction to run for office is grounded in the idea of an education system that fosters intellectual growth, and critical thinking, free of ideologies and agendas. Childhood innocence needs to be protected. These essential values ensure our children's

    educational environment remains unbiased and transparent.” Read the full statement at the link. 




    Social Media: 

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Twitter: NONE FOUND

    LinkedIn



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    ***These are all highly anti-LGBTQ+ groups.



    Endorsed by: 


    Perla is running in a slate with L. Bobby Papoulias, who has anti-LGBTQ+ views as well. 






    News:

    “Perla Mendoza, Los Alamitos Unified School District Trustee Area 5 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire” - OC REGISTER

    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.)

    Perla replied, “I believe that parents should be actively involved in all aspects of their child’s education and well-being. It is essential for parents to be informed about what is happening at school with their child. When information is withheld from parents, it can hinder our ability to fully support our children, help them navigate their educational journey, and demonstrate our care for their development.

    The only limitation to this involvement occurs when a child is facing abuse in any form, as our priority must be to protect all children.

    School is a place for learning, and I believe that teachers are dedicated to their vital role in fostering that environment. It is important to encourage students and families to practice open communication, uphold family values, build healthy relationships, and spend quality time together.”



    Follow the Money: 

    We were not able to find any reported campaign finance filings for Mendoza.


  • Candidate for Los Alamitos Unified School District Area 5


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

    His website leads with: 

    • “DEDICATED TO EDUCATION”

    • “Matt will prioritize student safety and school climate by focusing on social and emotional support, counseling, wellness, and community.”



    Candidate Statement:

    “...a teacher, school Principal, and leader in student mental health whose life and career is focused on strong schools and student success.” Read the full thing here




    Social Media: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552967006129

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

    Twitter: https://x.com/matt_bragman

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



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 


    Endorsed by: 

    • Gun Sense Voters

    • Everytown for Gun Safety

    • Moms Demand Action

    • Students Demand Action

    (https://bluevoterguide.org/endorser-org/Gun_Sense_Voter/CA/4895)




    News:

    “Matt Bragman, Los Alamitos Unified School District Trustee Area 5 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire” - OC REGISTER


    OC Register: “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.)

    Bragman replied, “Parents and families are a student’s first teachers and serve as a cornerstone of the educational experience. Their involvement in education is a critical factor in a student’s success both inside and outside the classroom. I firmly believe that parents and families should play a significant role in their children’s education, partnering with schools to provide the support needed for their growth and development. When addressing sensitive issues such as gender identity, it is essential for parents and families to foster relationships with their children rooted in compassion, love, trust, and safety. This foundation ensures that meaningful discussions on these topics occur at home, allowing students to feel supported both at home and in school. By maintaining open lines of communication and providing a nurturing environment, families can better understand and meet the needs of their children as they navigate complex issues. Schools, in turn, can work alongside families to create a cohesive support system that promotes the well-being and success of every student. The partnership between families and schools is vital in ensuring that students receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”



    Follow the Money: 

Los Alamitos Unified School 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

     


Coast Community College District

  • Coming Soon

  • Candidate OUSD district 4

    Candidate, Orange County Water District District 2

    (Also, while we’re not covering this race - he’s running for U.S. President).


    Not much is known about him; he is a perennial candidate who shows up on ballots most election cycles. 




    No ballot statement for the OUSD or the OCWD races. 


    His rhetoric is far right sprinkled with a handful of left rhetoric. He is in favor of forced birthing policy and claims ‘Kamala supports abortions that kill babies’. Says ‘she is married to a Zionist Jew’. We are choosing not to promote these views by linking directly to his social media, but it can be found if you search for it. 


    When the attempt to recall Newsom took place he put his name into the hat for Governor. His old governor website says: “FUTURE POLITICAL GOAL: Democratic Political Party Nomination for President of the United States of America as a historical vote to be the First Latino President in the advancement of Racial Equity & Inclusion 2024.”


    Old website link: https://mandocaliforniagovernor.godaddysites.com


    Twitter: https://x.com/presidentmando?s=21&t=1Ai3J8LtXSBdMk_fRbpEew


    No public stance on the LBGTQ+ community, although he seems to lean into alt-right ideologies regarding several other demographics and issues. 


  • Coming Soon

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Orange County Water District

  • Municipal Water District of Orange County

    District 4


    Campaign Website: https://karlforwater.com/

    “Using Water Efficiently Should Be Our Way Of Life!”



    Candidate Statement:

    “I hope to extend my 40+ years of service to the water industry for the benefit of all Orange County water users. As lead engineer for 37 years at MWDOC, I worked successfully with every

    water provider in Orange County.”



    Social Media: 

    Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001578676455

    Political Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karlforwater

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

    Twitter: NONE FOUND

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-seckel-b299731b2/




    On instagram, this candidate follows: 



    Endorsed by: 


    • Robert McVicker, Director, Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Megan Yoo Schneider, Director Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Joan Finnegan, Former Director Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Larry Dick, Director Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Al Nederhood, Director, Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Randall Crane, Director, Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Sat Tamaribuchi, Former Director Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Susan Hinman, Former Director, Municipal Water District of Orange County

    • Scott Goldman, Director, South Coast Water District

    • Doug Erdman, Director, South Coast Water District

    • Bill Green, Director, South Coast Water District

    • Rick Erkeneff, Director, South Coast Water District

    • Dennis Erdman, Director, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, former Director, South Coast Water District

    • Fred Jung, Fullerton Council Member, Director Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

    • Stephen Faessel, Anaheim Council Member, Director Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

    • Michael Gaskins, Director, El Toro Water District

    • Mark Monin, Director, El Toro Water District

    • Fred Adjarian, Director, El Toro Water District

    • Betty Olson, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Saundra Jacobs, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Chuck Gibson, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Stephen Dopudja, Director Trabuco Canyon Water District

    • Ed Mandich, Director, Trabuco Canyon Water District

    • Glenn Acosta, Director, Trabuco Canyon Water District

    • Doug Reinhart, Director, Irvine Ranch Water District

    • Steve LaMar, Director, Irvine Ranch Water District

    • John Withers, Director, Irvine Ranch Water District

    • Peer Swan, Director, Irvine Ranch Water District

    • Jim Atkinson, Director, Director, Mesa Water

    • Marice H. Depasquale, Director, Mesa Water

    • Bill Moorehead, Director, Moulton Niguel Water District

    • Sherry Wanninger, Director, Moulton Niguel Water District

    • Adam Ereth, candidate for City of Costa Mesa Council Division 1

    • Chuck Gibson, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Saundra Jacobs, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Betty Olson, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Laura Freese, Director, Santa Margarita Water District

    • Mike Scheafer, Director, Costa Mesa Sanitary District

    • Bob Ooten, Director, Costa Mesa Sanitary District

    • John Stephens, Mayor, Costa Mesa

    • Arlis Reynolds, Council Member, Costa Mesa

    • Manuel Chavez, Council Member, Costa Mesa

    • Jeff Harlan, Council Member, Costa Mesa

    • Dan Kalmick, Council Member, Huntington Beach

    • Natalie Moeser, Council Member, Huntington Beach

    • Rhonda Bolton, Council Member, Huntington Beach

    • Nathan Steele, Council Member, Seal Beach

    • Joe Kalmick, Council Member, Seal Beach

    • Thomas Moore, Council Member, Seal Beach

    • Oscar Rodriguez, Planning Commissioner, Huntington Beach

    • Geoff West, Bubbling Cauldron




    News:

    Seckel does not seem to have replied to the LAist’s candidate questionnaire  https://laist.com/news/politics/2024-election-california-general-water-agencies



    Follow the Money: 

    NO DONATIONS LISTED


  • Municipal Water District of Orange County

    District 4


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



    Candidate Statement:

    “Vote for Pano Frousiakis for a fresh perspective and dedicated leadership in water management!”  Read it in full at the link above. 



    Social Media: 

    Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070422492953

    Political Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanoForHB

    Political Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panoformwdoc/

    Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panofrousiakis/

    Political Twitter: https://x.com/panoforhb

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pano-f/



    On Instagram, this candidate follows: 




    On Twitter, this candidate follows:



    His campaign social media posts include:

    • Photo of Frousiakis shaking hands and smiling with Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy: 

    • Photo of Frousiakis shaking hands with an unknown man in front of a huge “Take America Back” Trump flag:

    • Photo of Froukiakis’s truck, which he calls the “Panomobile,” festooned with copies of his own campaign sign alongside a prominently placed Trump 2024 campaign sign


    In May 2023, he responded to HB Councilwoman Moser’s agenda item in public comment.  For full context, the HB City Council has an invocation before every meeting.  There used to be a process with the HB interfaith community wherein different faiths would be represented via a rotating invocation speaker from within the established interfaith council, and there was no favor shown to any single faith practice.  When the current council majority was elected at the end of 2022, they did away with this practice, and for the last two years only Christianity has been reflected in the invocation.  Councilwoman Moser, in an attempt to ensure the council was not giving unfair credence to any one faith, put forth an agenda item suggesting that there instead be a moment of silence, rather than a dedication to a single faith. 


    Pano spoke on this matter, saying “I’m really troubled by this new agenda item that’s come out (...) that is seeking to fundamentally remove our invocation from our meeting, and is a time-old tradition of our city council, and to replace it with a moment of silence.  Well, there’s a couple things I want to go over here.  First of all, the tradition that we’ve had in our community of having an invocation - that’s really emblematic of the unity that our community has.  When it comes to all the different faith backgrounds, when it comes to all the different, um speakers, and different religious figures who have come before here - it’s not just been Christians, it’s been many different faith backgrounds. And so, for us to have an item on the agenda that’s been proposed by a member on this council that very soon, most likely, is going to be trying to seek your votes for the next election - it undermines the very unity that it represents in our community.  Which is for us to respect each others’ faiths and convictions. It’s not possible to be able to just say, hey, we’re just going to have you pray in your room, and that’s all you need - I mean, that’s a really dangerous form of logic right there. Because you can say, oh, you can have all the constitutional rights you want in your bedroom - well, thank you so much for giving me the right to have rights in my bedroom, I really do appreciate that, but we need to be able to have the rights to be able to express ourselves, and our faiths, in a public forum.  And a moment of silence just isn’t going to do that. (...) And so really the question I have to pose to Councilwoman Moser regarding this item is, is it really about inclusivity? Your item?  You know, it seems to me to be a guise of neutrality that’s really covering a form of discrimination, which is the discrimination against our people of faith. Because many residents in our community have told me, especially of the Christian faith, but of all faith backgrounds, have said, we’re concerned that our rights are being trampled on and that we’re not being heard, based on this agenda item. So, given that information, I just want to say that we as a community should be upholding the traditions that unite us.  And so remember - with progress, progress is not about discarding our values.  Progress is about upholding the values that allow us to best serve our community.” 



    Endorsed by: 

    Nancy’s Picks (conservative-leaning):

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


    Scott Baugh

    OCGOP

    Patriots for Freedom PAC

    http://www.panoforhb.com/endorsements.html


    “I am proud to also have the endorsement of the Republican Party of Orange County, Lincoln Club, California Republican Assembly, and Reform California.”

    https://onyourballot.vote411.org/m/candidate-detail.do?id=69334974#c69334974





    News:

    In a July 2021 OC Register article, Pano was photographed sitting next to Gracey Van Der Mark, prior to her 2022 election to the council, at a city council meeting.  He reacts in a negatively shocked expression at then Mayor-Pro-Tem Delgleize stating that she would support the appointment of Rhonda Bolton to City Council to replace Tito Ortiz, who stepped down. In the photo, he wears a shirt emblazoned with a ‘Gracey for City Council’ message; Van Der Mark had also interviewed for the role and was hoping for the appointment. 


    According to this Calmatters article, Pano founded the local group, HB Patriots. The website defines the group as “HB Patriots is a 501c4 political organization dedicated to uniting Conservatives in Huntington Beach, CA. Our focus is on endorsing local candidates and actively participating in the city's politics. As a networking organization, we bring together individuals who share a common vision of promoting conservative values and principles. Join us and be part of a community that works towards a common goal of advancing conservatism in Huntington Beach”.


    The article references Pano, saying, “Though he’s happy with the overall direction of the council, Frousiakis concedes that “the past few months have been getting a little bit off-track.” He established a political organization this year, the HB Patriots, and is running again for city council in 2024 with a message about getting back to local quality-of-life issues.  “Unfortunately, I feel that our residents get sidelined as a result of that. I feel sidelined as a resident,” he said. “The other issues that are being talked about, that’s why I vote for president.”



    Follow the Money: 

    • Aug 2024 - $3000 from Paula Prizio, Chairwoman of Next Gen, the youth program of the Republican Party of Orange County

    • July 2024 - $500 from Ledsam Contracting Incorporated

  • Municipal Water District of Orange County

    District 6


    Campaign Website: 

    “I am passionate and committed to the proportional and equitable distribution of water to our diverse economic and cultural communities, always considering the environmental benefits and risks.“



    Candidate Statement:

    “I will advocate for: Transparency in planning for climate change challenges of reliable water supply imports. Fair distribution and sustainable supply of safe and clean water for all of Orange County.” Read the statement in full at the link above. 



    Social Media: 

    Facebook: NONE FOUND

    Instagram: NONE FOUND

    Twitter: NONE FOUND


    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    N/A





    Endorsed by: 

    Josh Newman

    Dave Min

    Canyon Democrats

    Iranian American Democrats of California

    Orange County Democrats - 

    Orange County Young Democrats - 

    Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Orange and San Bernardino Counties

    Women for American Values and Ethics (WAVE) - 



    News:


    Gomez did not reply to the LAist candidate questionnaire. 



    Follow the Money: 

    • Jul 2024 - $500 from Canyon Democrats

    • Sep 2024 - $500 from Cottie-Petrie Norris for Assembly 2024

    • Sep 2024 - $500 from Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties

  • Municipal Water District of Orange County

    District 6


    Campaign Website: NONE FOUND

    Personal Website: https://www.pramodkunju.com/



    Candidate Statement:

    “As an advocate for small businesses, start-ups, and disadvantaged communities, Pramod understands the importance of ensuring that all voices are heard and represented.”  

    Read the full statement in full at the link above. 



    Social Media: 

    Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pramodkunju

    Professional Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AIGuru/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dataguru123/

    Personal Twitter: https://x.com/pramodkunju

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

    YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@datascienceandartificialin1452



    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    Kamala Harris - https://www.instagram.com/kamalaharris/

    Tulsi Gabbard - https://www.instagram.com/tulsigabbard/

    Irvine Neighbors - https://www.instagram.com/irvineneighbors/




    Endorsed by: 

    None Found



    News:

    None Found


    Pramod did not reply to the LAist candidate questionnaire https://laist.com/news/politics/voter-game-plan-2024-general-election-orange-county 



    Follow the Money: 

    NO DONATIONS LISTED


  • Municipal Water District of Orange County

    District 6


    Campaign Website: NONE FOUND,but you can view his bio here.


    Candidate Statement:

    “I am a staunch advocate for transparency in public records and have tirelessly fought against conflicts of interest in the water community. I will continue to oppose special interests in Orange County that seek to shift costs to you.” You can read the statement in full at the link above. 



    Social Media: 

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jeff4WaterBoard2016/

    Instagram: NONE FOUND

    Twitter: NONE FOUND

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmthomas2/




    On instagram, this candidate follows: 

    N/A

    ***However, on his facebook page he does follow Austin Lumbard, the Mayor of Tustin.  You can see Lumbard’s affiliations on his instagram page, here




    Endorsed by: 

    OC GOP

    https://ocgop.org/irvine/


    Nancy’s Picks (conservative-leaning):

    https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2024/09/all-the-candidates-on-the-ballot-this-fall-in-the-oc/


    Orange Juice Blog (liberal-leaning):

    https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2024/09/all-the-candidates-on-the-ballot-this-fall-in-the-oc/




    News:


    “Election: Water District Candidates Discuss the Issues” - SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

    https://www.picketfencemedia.com/sanclementetimes/eye-on-sc/election-water-district-candidates-discuss-the-issues/article_54eb612f-e1b7-5769-a53c-44e57bf8dedf.html

    “Advocating for transparency with public records and fighting conflicts of interest in the water community have been priorities since I first took office. I will continue the battle against special interests in Orange County who are seeking to shift costs to others.”



    Follow the Money: 

    NO DONATIONS LISTED, but he made numerous  loans to his own campaign


Municipal Water District of Orange County

Orange County Board of Supervisors, 1st District

  • Candidate for County Supervisor in District 1.  To replace Andrew Do, who is terming out.  


    Janet Nguyen is currently a State Senator. 


    Find her here: 

    Campaign Website: 

    State Senator Website: 

    Instagram Page: 


    Voted NO on AB 1955, The SAFETY ACT that prevents school boards from enforcing forced outing policies. 

    Other notable votes include: 

    Voted No on SB790 

    Voted No on SB 439

    Voted no on SB345


    As a Legislator: 

    Has a score of 17/100 from Equality CA

    Has a score of 25/100 from Planned Parenthood

    Has a score of 20/100 from the ACLU

    https://couragescore.org/representative/janet-nguyen/


    Janet has significant support from Proud Boys. Known Proud Boy Baked Alaska is friends with her. 


    Nguyen’s tendency to call her legislative peers “communists” and start fights over it have led to her being removed from the debate floor by Capitol security. When questioned on free speech allowance in California, she said that the ‘communist flag’ (referring to the flag of the communist Vietnamese government that many Vietnamese-Americans residents of Orange County emigrated to escape from) is comparable to KKK imagery. 


    While she was County Supervisor back in 2012, she “fled” the dias when community members brought forth a request for the County Board to recognize Harvey Milk Day. 


    The LA Times described of the event: 

    “One of the supervisors, Janet Nguyen, walked from the board room shortly after the activists began their presentation. Last year, Nguyen also left the meeting as the activists spoke.”


    On her official Senator instagram page, Nguyen posted the transphobic conspiracy theory about Olympic boxer and cisgender woman Imane Khelif, saying, “When a female boxer’s #Olympic dreams go up in flames after fighting a biological man, something needs to be done. #IStandWithCarini”.  As a reminder, Khelif is a cisgender woman, and is currently pursuing a major lawsuit against the influential people who pushed the conspiracy theory, including Elon Musk and JK Rowling.  


    She joined anti-LGBTQ+ extremist politician Gracey Van Der Mark in the Annual HB July 4th weekend Bike Ride, posting the selfie on her instagram page. 


    Endorsed by: 

    OC GOP

    CA GOP

    Lincoln Club of Orange County

    Orange County Young Republicans
    Concerned Parents of California PAC, who say on their website “We will influence school board and other elections by promoting  candidates and incumbents who strongly support a parent’s right to choose what they believe is best for their own children”.

    California Parents Union, whose website lists among their priorities; “Empowering Members to Stand Up for Parental Rights, Indoctrination Awareness and Solutions, Medical Autonomy Issues and Solutions”

  • Candidate for OC Board of Supervisors - District 1


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

    Tagline: “Standing Up for Orange County's Taxpayers”


    “She's running for Orange County Supervisor to bring much-needed accountability and oversight to county government and ensure a high quality delivery of services to the communities that need them most.


    As a Cypress City Councilmember, Frances Marquez has built a reputation as a watchdog for taxpayers, demanding transparency before voting on spending even in the face of intimidation.”



    You can find her Candidate Statement here. In it, she says, “As your County Supervisor, I will expand opportunities for working families by:

    • Creating good-paying jobs and addressing rising housing costs

    • Preventing homelessness by expanding access to mental health

    • and supportive services

    • Investing in public safety and reducing crime

    • Protecting reproductive rights and abortion access”



    Social Media: 

    Facebook:

    https://www.facebook.com/francesmarquezforoc


    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/marquezfrances13/

    https://www.instagram.com/francesmarquezforcypress/

    https://www.instagram.com/francesmarquezoc


    Twitter:

    https://x.com/FrancesMarquez6



    On instagram, she follows: 

    @lavenderdemsOC - Lavender Democrats OC

    @ppactionCA - Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

    @genzforharriswalz 



    Endorsed by: 

    Latinas Lead CA:

    Planned Parenthood

    SEIU-UHW

    Moms Demand Action

    OC Huddle, who donated the funds for Pride at the Pier to create the Giant Pride Flag

    OC Dems


    News: 

    “Frances Marquez, Board of Supervisors District 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire” - OC REGISTER - 

    “My parents raised six children without health care coverage, paying out of pocket to make sure we maintained our health. No family should have to face this challenge. Moreover, ensuring access to quality preventative care like mental health and substance use treatment stops cycles of homelessness and criminality which will benefit our communities at large.”


    Interesting context of harassment lawsuits and contention during Marquez’s time on the Cypress City Council:

    “Cypress councilwoman files lawsuit against censures” - Los Angeles Times




    Follow the Money: 

    SEIU donated $1500

    Sierra Club PAC donated $1000