Here’s the notice from Democrats of Greater Irvine. So far, only council members Larry Agran and Tammy Kim have announced their candidacy for Irvine Mayor. At some point, a Republican will announce (and my money is on Anthony Kuo who lost a bid for State Senate in March). A Kuo canddiacy gives Republicans someone to vote for and cuts Council member Tammy Kim’s AAPI support in half.
Here’s the details:
Democrats of Greater Irvine Mayoral Forum and Endorsement Vote.
Date: Wednesday, May 1st
Location: IRWD Community Room, 15500 Sand Canyon (or virtually via Zoom by registering here)
Agenda:
- 6:30 PM: Enjoy a Pizza Social – a perfect setting to discuss our city’s prospects
- 7:00 PM: The Forum begins – get to know your candidates and their visions
Candidates’ Visions
We’re thrilled to provide you with the candidates’ statements below to better inform your participation and voting decision. Take a moment to read through and consider the future they envision for Irvine.
Larry Agran Candidate Statement
Progressive leadership gets good things done! As Irvine’s Mayor during the 1980s and again in 2000-2004, I led the City Council in:
- Permanently preserving 10,000 acres of open space;
- Enacting America’s first comprehensive ordinance to ban chlorofluorocarbons, leading governments worldwide to follow suit and save the Earth’s ozone layer;
- Authoring a Human Rights Ordinance, ensuring that Irvine’s anti-discrimination policies included protections for the LGBTQ+ community;
- Adopting inclusionary housing policies, adding thousands of rent-controlled apartments;
- Providing city-subsidized childcare;
- Establishing Irvine’s curbside recycling program;
- Defeating the County’s international airport plan and replacing it with our 1,300-acre Great Park;
- Enacting policies that made Irvine America’s safest city, with resident-friendly “constitutional policing”;
- Implementing international outreach programs that led Irvine to become the most diverse and thoroughly integrated city in America.
Since rejoining the Council in 2020, I’ve worked with our residents to: shut down Irvine’s largest industrial polluter and replace it with the 700-acre Gateway Preserve; transition to district elections; commence construction of the voter-approved Veterans Memorial Park; and advocate against building massive warehouses that bring 24/7 traffic, noise, and pollution to Irvine neighborhoods.
If I’m elected Mayor in November, I will promote bold progressive policies to: combat climate change by ramping up our rooftop solar program, planting 200,000 new trees, and transitioning to green transit; complete the build-out of our Great Park, including a voter-approved Veterans Cemetery; reinvest in our beautiful park system; and strengthen our local democracy so that all residents’ voices are heard at City Hall.
Website: https://larryagran.com/
Tammy Kim Candidate Statement
Dear Democrats,
As the fastest-growing city in California, Irvine stands at a crucial juncture, requiring visionary leadership to address the evolving needs of our diverse community.
As the next Mayor of Irvine, I will bring a bold and transformative vision that prioritizes access to affordable housing, environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, and inclusivity.
As your Councilmember, I work hard every day to improve the quality of life for all our residents. I am proud of my accomplishments from
- Breaking longstanding gridlock at the Great Park
- Spearheading economic development initiatives like Irvine Tech Week
- Championing environmental sustainability.
- Spearheading efforts to protect worker safety and combat hate crimes.
- Delivering comprehensive housing policies to ensure housing at every income level.
Irvine is at a pivotal moment, and I am prepared to lead us into a future that is innovative, inclusive, and inspiring – one where every resident thrives. I ask for your trust, support, and vote to turn this vision into reality. Let’s build the Irvine of tomorrow, today. Together, let’s make Irvine a model city for the 21st century.
I am proud to be endorsed by Congresswoman Katie Porter, Senator Dave Min, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, Supervisor Katrina Foley, and Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, as well as Veterans, Firefighters, and Working Families.
I would be honored to earn your vote. TammyKim.com
Website: https://www.tammykim.com/
️Voting Process
Thanks to your voice and vote last month (26-13), we’re embracing instant runoff ranked choice voting with a 60% threshold for this endorsement. Learn more about the forum agenda and voting process here.
Your membership is your ticket to vote. Only DGI members who meet our bylaws’ criteria will have their votes count. Are you one of them? Check here:
- A registered voter with the Democratic Party in OC.
- You’ve attended at least one previous meeting in the past year 12 months prior to May 1st.
- Your 2024 dues were cheerfully paid by April 30.
- You attend the May 1st meeting, either in-person or by Zoom.
Last Call to RSVP! It’s not just any meeting – it’s the meeting of the year. Register now to reserve your spot, whether in person or via Zoom. If you’re joining by Zoom, be sure to also register at this link.
I have just rejoined DGI and don’t meet the eligibility requirements for voting, but if I could, I’d be voting for Agran. Newer Irvine residents need to know that without Agran’s work, there’d be an International Airport where the Great Park is and that homeowner equity wouldn’t be what it is today.
And back when the rule of two existed to place items on the agency, Kim was a master thief of Agran ideas and would rewrite them as hers. I still shake my head over the significant amount of city money Kim pushed for to support a Korean Business Conference in Anaheim so she could promote herself. There’s no way to find out if Irvine’s investment garnered any new business for the city.
Irvine needs a steady mayor, not someone who wants to be an Instagram influencer.