Over the weekend, many voters in Anaheim’s District 3 reported receiving a survey, either by phone or text, that delved into various positive and negative messages concerning incumbent Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava and her challenger, Elia Renteria.
The survey appears to originate from the Anaheim Police Association, which is described as a significant supporter of Councilwoman Rubalcava. The group's political consultant is identified as Jeff Flint. The text survey reportedly shares similarities with a previous survey from last year by the same company, Qualtrics, which explored a potential “tourist tax.”
The survey is not characterized as a “push poll” by the source, as it presented both positive and negative information about each candidate. It explicitly stated that the information provided might be heard or seen in news or advertisements, asking recipients whether it made them more or less likely to support the candidate for City Council.
Reportedly, the aim of the survey from Rubalcava's supporters is to identify effective campaign messages and to understand which potential criticisms may need to be addressed. Elia Renteria's supporters noted that the survey suggests her candidacy is being taken seriously, helps to publicize her name, and offers an early look at forthcoming campaign messaging.
Among the positive messages presented for Natalie Rubalcava were claims of revitalizing community parks, such as La Palma Park. However, the source material indicates these efforts were a function of the entire Council. A complaint was raised regarding the removal of the historic German 'Willkommen in Anaheim' sign during the park's revitalization. Gustavo reportedly wrote about this last year, and Natalie Rubalcava informed him 16 months ago that the sign would be reinstalled somewhere in the park, a promise the source suggests is forgotten. Gustavo described the current signage as 'jarring.' The source speculates Elia Renteria would not have removed the historic sign.
Another positive message cited Rubalcava for securing land for a new fire station. While the source questions her direct involvement in securing land for Station #12 at the Angel Stadium lot, which was reportedly held up for years by former team owner Arte Moreno, it confirms that Rubalcava did help secure land for Fire Station #13 in her own district. The survey also highlighted Rubalcava's role in increasing spending on police and fire, which the source confirms as true for the entire Council, explaining the backing from police and fire unions.
Other positive messages included efforts to ensure an adequate supply of housing and combat homelessness. The source contends these are collective Council actions and suggests Elia Renteria has dedicated years to assisting the homeless, in contrast to Rubalcava's focus on "OC’s Big Businesses." It was noted that Rubalcava could propose rent control or enforce existing tenant protection laws, actions she has promised but not delivered, with the source linking council members to funding from landlords and developers.
Rubalcava was also characterized as "homegrown" for attending local public schools, though the source notes she does not send her own children to these schools. It was also mentioned that Rubalcava was absent from a recent celebration for “Community Schools” funding at Anaheim High, her alma mater, a gathering attended by district 5 councilwoman Kristen Maahs.
The survey also touched on Rubalcava's role in a "balanced budget." The source claims that Rubalcava and her colleagues achieve this by relying on borrowed funds, reserves, and one-time revenues to address a structural deficit, where rising costs outpace tax revenues. The source suggests a "real gate tax" or the conclusion of Disney bond payments from the 90s could lead to a truly balanced budget, and expresses more trust in Elia Renteria to wisely use the projected $56 million annual savings once the bonds are paid off.
Finally, a message about Rubalcava working to lower homeownership costs for first-time buyers and promoting pathways to homeownership was confirmed as one of her projects. However, the source states tenants seek an end to excessive rent increases, not rental assistance, and questions Rubalcava's efforts to protect tenants' rights.
Negative messages about Rubalcava were also tested. One referenced her "kneecapping" Measure A, a ballot initiative proposed by the hotel workers union UNITE HERE. The source noted Rubalcava narrowly survived a recall election by about 400 votes, which UNITE HERE initiated in "REVENGE" for her actions on Measure A, an ordinance described as "not just a wage hike but a very bad ordinance." The source stated that the union cited minor issues from the JL Report to justify the recall, while many others supported the recall for different reasons, including Rubalcava's "complete surrender to Disney in the Disneyland Forward deal."
Another negative message concerned Rubalcava's alleged attempts to shut down an independent investigation into city hall corruption, referring to the JL investigation. The source states Rubalcava tried for months to derail the city-commissioned investigation and that her former employer, OC Business Council, reportedly gave her express instructions to do so. The JL report itself contained "minor misdeeds" by Rubalcava that the source said were not sufficient for a recall. The source also claimed the report was largely stonewalled by major players, and that the entire Council attempted to cover it up, never discussing it despite its $1.5 million cost.
A final negative message accused Rubalcava of "supporting killer cops." This refers to Albert Arzola, who was reportedly killed last December by Officer Nathan Garcia, whom Natalie Rubalcava had celebrated on her social media, leading to the conclusion that she supports such officers.
