A Tustin Race to Watch: Ryan Gallagher vs. Lana Clay

I never thought I’d be compelled to write about a race between two Republicans, but here goes.

One of these days, Tustin City Council elections will be friendlier towards women. But this isn’t the year.

Former Mayors Beckie Gomez and Letitia Clark succeeded largely because they put in the work while running and governing effectively in a sea of misogyny from Tustin’s Republican majority.  I will never forget the cruelty in which former Mayor Jerry Amante treated council member Deborah Gavello years ago; it’s hard to know if his behavior directed at her was because she was a Democrat or because she’s a woman.

Which calls attention to the District 4 council race between Tustin Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Gallagher and first time candidate Lana Clay, who is a Republican, but has support from the last two women elected to the Tustin City Council.

Gallagher, a civil engineer, faces scrutiny over possible conflcits of interest and questionable campaign decisions.

Clay, the only woman on the ballot in Tustin, is a community advocate and has been largely ignored by  Tustin’s more established conservative political circles. Tustin’s Republican leaders have thrown their support behind Gallagher.  Adding to the complexity, Gallagher’s wife, is an attorney specializing in land use, environmental permitting, and complex real estate projects. Her expertise involves navigating regulatory requirements and obtaining approvals from Planning Commissions and City Councils—which creates potential conflicts of interest should her husband win the district 4 seat. Would see professionally benefit from her husband’s influence in the council?

Would he recuse himself from a vote if the city hired his wife for contract work?  Or would she not pursue contracts from Tustin?

Gallagher has received campaign contributions from a prominent retail property management firm that’s heavily invested in the Tustin Legacy’s development, including his controversial proposal for a new City Hall on former hangar land instead of steps from Old Town.  This funding, coupled with Gallagher’s support for Measure II, which seeks to extend term limits and potentially secure the tenure of existing council members for more than 20 years, positions him to be a real friend to developers for years to come.

Gallagher’s stance on environmental issues is questionable after he dismissed concerns over PFAS—persistent toxic chemicals associated with industrial sites—claiming they are not significant enough to halt development.  Which is very interesting considering Gallagher, allegedly, evacuated his family during the North Hangar fire without letting his neighbors know he felt it was wise to get out of the area after the fire and it calls into question his role in the community’s crisis response.

In contrast, Clay’s campaign has focused on transparency, community engagement, and accountability. She has been wrongly accused of suing Tustin when public records showed she filed a claim that addressed safety, infrastructure, and transparency concerns.  She did so with other residents to seek relief for fire-related damages to her home.  These claims were ultimately denied by the city.

Clay is a mother of toddler twins, a cancer survivor, and first-time candidate, and she’s already experienced the same kind of bullying and harassment experienced by Clark, Gavello and Gomez.  I wouldn’t mind seeing her change her Party affiliation at all.

While Gallagher’s backing by long-standing local networks suggests a continuation of the status quo, Clay’s campaign has gained traction with residents who see her as an independent voice for Tustin.  Certainly not a Trumper Republican.

As Election Day nears, the Gallagher-Clay race is shaping up as a critical moment for Tustin voters, pressing them to decide between new representation or an endorsement of the existing power structure.