Tammy Kim concedes election for Irvine’s Mayor

Irvine's Tammy Kim
Irvine’s Tammy Kim

 

Council member Tammy Kim has conceded the election for Irvine’s mayor.  She sent the following message via email:

As the results have come in, it is clear that we did not achieve the outcome we hoped for. While this is not the conclusion we envisioned, I am profoundly grateful for your unwavering support, tireless efforts, and belief in our shared vision for Irvine.

This campaign was about more than one election—it was about standing up for our values, amplifying our voices, and driving meaningful change for our community. Together, we brought critical issues to the forefront and inspired conversations that will shape Irvine’s future.

I believe every moment serves a purpose, and this simply wasn’t our time. But that doesn’t mean we give up—it means we continue, stronger and more determined than ever.

I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together, and I remain fully committed to serving and supporting Irvine. The work continues, and so does our dedication to building the future our city deserves..

Our journey doesn’t stop here. Stay Tuned.

In Community,

Tammy

 

This raises a number of questions.

Kim was the subject of a recall that was never going to happen even if she was elected Mayor.  She received close to $300,000 from a firefighter’s union to defend herself against a recall and did spend money on mailers to promote her work as a City Council member without ever mentioning she was a candidate for mayor.  She also spent money on lawyers to make sure she was adhering to the law on defending herself against a recall which is not going to happen.  Does she have to repay this money and does she have to return unspent funds to contributors?

In May, Kim moved into an apartment in District 5, which is the District that Mayor-elect Larry Agran resides.  The city will hold a special election to fill the remaining two years of Agran’s at-large city office.  The city will hold a special election and I have inquiries in to see if the election is District 5 only or city-wide.  Kim has established a fundraising account to run in this special election and can move unspent funds raised for the Mayor’s office into this campaign account.  It is not clear if she can move anti-recall funds into this account either.

The rumor mill says that former Vice Mayor and City Council member Anthony Kuo will be a candidate for this city council seat as he lives in District 5.

During her term, Kim railed against anti-asian hate — as she should.  Her attacks on Agran’s record revealed two things: her ageism (which is as bad as racism) and lack of institution knowledge of Irvine which has alwasy been her Achilles Heel.  “Agran’s been in office since the 80s..why didn’t he do this or that then?”  Those who have lived in Irvine know that during Agran’s full career on the council, he’s seldom been part of the council majority.  When the city had the rule of two to submit items for an agenda, Kim didn’t give Agran a second to agendize issues he wanted to implement, denying his voice; then, months later, she teammed with Council member Mike Carroll to steal the idea and present it as her own.  Kim thwarted district elections in 2022, took credit for putting a botanical garden in at the Great Park — which was always part of the original plan, and spent more time on social media than actual policy.  Kim passed an anti-nepotism rule for city commissions — targeting Phyllis Agran, Larry’s wife — but managed to place her own son in city hall as an unpaid intern.

It’s amazing to think that someone with the endorsement of the DPOC, Katie Porter, Dave Min, Josh Newman, Katrina Foley, Kathleen Treseder, Irvine Police, a Firefighter’s union and others lost so badly.

But don’t worry Irvine voters…like the Terminator, she’ll be back.

 

 

9 Comments

  1. Dan, please use spell check. I get this is a blog and not news per say, but what you have to say usually – with this exception of that trashy piece you did on Kim’s personal life – is worthy of leadership. So please check spelling and grammar so it doesn’t seem so amateurish because you are an insider and what you have to say means something. Why would Kim carpetbag into a district she doesn’t live in just to run for council? When will Irvine stop accepting these retreads who lose elections and keep running again and again. Is John Park the best we can do for him to run 4 times and lose each and every time? I hope Kim doesn’t run again. She did good things on council and you should give her credit for it Dan. She should move on.

  2. Robbie needs some grammar lessons as well. When will Irvine is a question and requires one of these: ?. Tammy just told a Korean newspaper that she is running for the now vacant District 5 seat. And I quote: “I look forward to being a strong voice for District 5 in the upcoming election.” Looks like Mayor Elect Agran will never get a majority to mayor. Dan, you forgot Tammy also got every elected Democrat endorsement and Planned Parenthood, etc etc. Still lost to Mayor Elect Agran.

  3. Those public comments were callous and cruel about a “relationship” she has publicly denied so not sure why you would defend yourself with the Trump analogy. I get the taking credit for things. She tried to take credit for the asphalt plant I remember.

      • Public comments have been made about Tammy’s open FBI investigation and FPPC investigation into money laundering and you haven’t done a post Dan. All I am saying is we win on her record of supporting genocide and her stream of lies. By attacking her personal life, true or not, people will feel sorry for her and she can misdirect away from all of her suspect and shady deals.

        • Her fraternalizing with electeds with whom she sits on municipal boards are a matter of public interest. She either doesn’t understand that or her followers don’t or both. Stupid is as stupid does. And she sure is dumb.

      • Are you sure Eric? I heard her deny it at a recent meeting. Was viewing online so maybe I didn’t hear what she said correctly. I heard her deny it and the drama over it should end because it isn’t anybody’s business. Didn’t hear anything about cancer. Very sad if true. Larry won because he stood with us and she didn’t. Leave her alone. She lost.

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