Below you will find every single race that can be found in Silverado, 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.
Silverado
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Candidate
SVUSD Trustee Area 2
Contact
Email: michele@sparksforschoolboard.com
Endorsed by WAVE
She is running with the slate of candidates for SVUSD, Amanda Morrel, Suzie Swartz, and Michele Sparks - these candidates are running opposite 3 overtly anti-LGBTQ+ candidates
One of her campaign posts on instagrams states that her goal is “supporting ALL students” (emphasis hers), which is language we often see with candidates who are more in tune with marginalized constituents.
Endorsed by the Saddleback Valley Educators Association, who have been canvassing and campaigning for her heavily throughout the election season. They have been active and friendly with the causes of marginalized students in the district. https://www.instagram.com/p/C7NgVfTvwaA/
Follows WAVE on Instagram, an organization that tends to endorse LGBTQ+ friendly candidates
Per her website: “Michele believes that strong schools are integral to building and maintaining strong communities. They provide educational and economic benefits, foster social unity and cultural enrichment, and contribute to the overall health and stability of the community.”
“In 2024, California faces several challenges in hiring quality teachers, including a continued shortage of qualified educators due to retirements and lack of new teachers, the high cost of living in our area, the need for competitive salaries, high workloads and demands leading to burnout and attrition, and the demand for teachers capable of addressing diverse student needs, including mental well being, special education, and English language learners.”
Has worked as a photographer and a teacher.
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Candidate
SVUSD Trustee Area 2
Contact
Email: millerforsvusd@gmail.com
Endorsed by Young Kim, OC Congresswoman who voted against codifying gay marriage and interracial marriage into law
Endorsed by the 5 Trustees of the OC Board of Education, who have vowed to sue the state over AB 1955, The SAFETY Act that bans forced outing policies
Endorsed by the OC GOP
Endorsed by Nancy’s Pick’s
Endorsed by Reform California
He includes the anti-LGBTQ dog whistle “Parents Rights” as one of his campaign platforms
Miller, who reportedly traveled to Amsterdam for a Televangelist Billy Graham conference earlier in his life, also used to be Mayor of San Jacinto City. https://www.pressenterprise.com/2010/12/29/san-jacinto-new-mayor-dedicated-to-serving-others/
He’s also currently the City Planning Commissioner in Laguna Hills
He’s self-funding his campaign for this most part, with a loan to his campaign from his own funds of $25,000
He’s spent over $13,500 on slate mail from two different alt-right-wing campaign orgs, CAL Voter Guide and Landslide Communications
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Candidate
SVUSD Trustee Area 3
Contact
Email: no email found
Endorsed by Moms for America
Endorsed by OC BOE Trustees
Endorsed by OC Ed Superintendent Stephen Bean
Endorsed by Reform California
Endorsed by Nancy’s Pick’s, who says about her “MICHELLE O’BRIEN is a solid Conservative in every way, fiscal and social. Her goal for Saddleback Schools, is not only Academic Excellence, in a safe environment, but she also staunchly supports PARENTAL RIGHTS, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY and SCHOOL CHOICE, that is, which ever best meets a child’s need and learning style.”
Michelle’s campaign facebook has a number of posts with federal level politicians who have anti-LGBTQ stances, including Donald Trump, RFK Jr., and Ben Carson.
States on her campaign facebook that the updated Title IX changes, that include sexual orientation and gender identity, are ‘unconstitutional’, and suggests that children need to be protected from it.
Has endorsed Stefen Bean for OC Education Superintendent; Bean has a long history of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and affiliations. She says about Bean, “I can't imagine anyone better to lead us.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7PpJAyyxbK/?img_index=2
Opposes AB 1955, saying about it, “State legislators are working day and night to remove parental rights. Nobody, I repeat Nobody can remove parental rights.” She also subscribes to Sonja Shaw’s newsletter - Sonja Shaw being one of the main figures in California anti-LGBTQ+ school board politics as president of Chino Valley USD.
She shared on her campaign website an instagram post from notorious anti-LGBTQ+ activist Nicole Pearson, where Pearson makes wild, conspiratorial, and unsubstantiated claims that California is trying to “trans your kids”, saying “Every child in the U.S. is in danger if @gavinnewsom signs#AB1955 into law. It is the last piece of the “trans-trafficking puzzle” making it so your child can be brought here EVEN AGAINST the lawful laws + orders + warrants of other states (#SB107), be exposed to inappropriate materials + ideas + relationships with strange adults w/o repercussion (#AB1955), checked into a “government residential shelter” w/o having to prove they have been abused or are in danger (#AB665) then have their records — name + sex + gender — completely wiped in secret (“under seal”) (#AB223).”
Lists her top 2 priorities on her campaign literature as “school choice” and “parental rights”
Has a post on instagram thanking Liberty Justice Center, the far-right law firm that fights for anti-LGBTQ+ issues, for filing a lawsuit against the state over AB 1955. https://www.instagram.com/p/C9jUTWruox4/
Shared a post from far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ organization Turning Point USA (affiliated with Calvary Chapel) on her instagram. The post from TPUSA says “If you stay silent in this war between right and wrong, your life might be easier, but your children’s lives won’t”. O’Brien added the caption, “Children depend on us. Don't be silent.” https://www.instagram.com/p/C9jU-v9O14w/
On her platform page on her campaign website she says, “Parents Rights: Parents/Guardians are the ones to make education and medical decisions for their children. Through love, Parents/Guardians nurture, comfort, and protect. They know what’s best for their child. Parents should have the right to opt out their child from subjects that go against their beliefs and values”.
She commits on her website to “I’ll lead the efforts in working with board members and parents/guardians to create and implement a Parents Bill of Rights”.
Has a photo on her campaign website at a California Policy Center website - CPC is an extreme, far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ organization. It’s the CA wing of the National Policy Center and is heavily affiliated with the Heritage Foundation. She’s meeting Corey A. DeAngelis, author of “The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools.” He’s also a board member of the California Policy Center.
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Candidate
SVUSD Trustee Area 3
Contact
Email: request for email sent via website contact form
Suzie agreed to take the School Board Advocacy Pledge, saying “I have always been and remain committed to keep our public schools a place where ALL our families and children feel welcome and safe.
I take the pledge and am committed to uphold principles of inclusivity, equity and respect including the five commitments outlined below.”
Endorsed by Women in leadership
Endorsed by the SVEA (local teachers’ union)
Endorsed by California Retired Teachers Association Division 42
Her instagram is followed by the Mission Viejo Pride account.
She is running with the slate of candidates for SVUSD, Amanda Morrel, Suzie Swartz, and Michele Sparks - these candidates are running opposite 3 overtly anti-LGBTQ+ candidates
Her campaign site expresses, “As our public servant on the SVUSD Board of Education, Suzie always focuses on our children first to make our schools the place where all children feel safe, welcome and excited to learn.” (emphasis hers)
Per the website: “In her role as a school board member, Suzie: Provides safe schools where all children feel welcome and excited to learn”
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Candidate
SVUSD Trustee Area 4
Contact
Email: amanda@amandamorrell.com
Endorsed by SVEA (local teachers union)
She is running with the slate of candidates for SVUSD, Amanda Morrel, Suzie Swartz, and Michele Sparks - these candidates are running opposite 3 overtly anti-LGBTQ+ candidates
She says on her campaign website, “As your trustee I will put the needs and well-being of students first”
“I will seize opportunities to reduce class sizes, ensure everyone’s right to safe, prejudice-free learning and work environments. I pledge to evaluate and improve our district’s culture. “
Under her “about me”, she includes; Vacation bible school volunteer. Also “Her time volunteering in organizations serving youth has taught her to advocate on behalf of ALL students. She strives to listen, understand, analyze, problem solve, and govern though informed and thoughtful decisions. She has no ulterior motives and is willing to listen to and represent varying perspectives.”
Has a very long list of involvement in SVUSD schools, which can be found here -
Candidate
SVUSD Trustee Area 4
Contact
Email: michael@stannard4svusd.com
Endorsed by Moms For Liberty
Endorsed by Reform California
Endorsed by Nancy’s List
Endorsed by Stefan Bean
Endorsed by the OC BOE
Endorsed by Don Wagner
Endorsed by Young Kim
He spent 13 years on the ministry team at GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF SADDLEBACK VALLEY
His campaign page highlights his plan to “Uphold Parental Authority”: “I firmly believe in upholding the constitutional right of parents to have decision-making authority over their children’s education. It is crucial that parents are fully informed and actively involved in all aspects of their students’ lives. By ensuring transparent communication and respecting parents’ rights to guide their children’s educational paths, we create a more accountable and supportive school environment that honors family values and choices.”
He’s highlighted charter schools and homeschooling on his campaign site, a common theme in far-right takes on public education. “I recognize that every family’s needs are unique. By promoting a variety of educational options—public, charter, private, or home schooling—parents are empowered to select the best learning environment for their children. This commitment to choice ensures that our educational system caters to diverse student needs, fostering a more dynamic and adaptable community of learners.”
His campaign has only received $2,000 in monetary donations
Received $1,000 from Cross Psychological Care, Inc.
Received $1,000 from Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal LLC
Neither organizations are located in Orange County
He’s also received a self-loan of $16,000 to round out a total funds raised level of $18,000
From that $18k, he’s spent 4,509.34 on yard signs and door hangers
Saddleback Valley Unified School District
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Coming Soon
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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.
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