Orange County residents have an extended opportunity to file candidacy for certain November election seats. An extension applies to races where the incumbent chose not to seek re-election. Prospective candidates now have until this Wednesday at 5 p.m. to submit paperwork for these specific positions.
Several college district board seats are open. In North Orange County Community College District, Area 3, Steve Blount is leaving his seat to run for Cypress School Board; three other candidates have filed. Coast Community College District, Area 1, sees Jim Moreno stepping down, with at least three candidates vying for his position. South Orange County Community College District, Area 4, is open as Terri Whitt concludes her term, attracting three candidates.
A local school board will see three incumbents depart. For Area 4, Gary Pritchard is not seeking re-election; Marco Carralero, a 'parent and businessowner,' is a candidate. For Area 6, Gila Jones is stepping down; Mandy Bourne, a parent and educator, along with Jeanna Emmons, a businessperson and education advocate, have filed. For Area 7, Judy Bullockus is leaving; Linda Shepard and youth sports director Ron Ruef are vying for her seat. Bullockus was noted for using a racial slur during a board meeting.
Other Orange County school districts also have open seats. Garden Grove Unified School District, Area 4, sees John Hardin departing, with three Vietnamese-American candidates filed. Laguna Beach Unified School District, an at-large district, sees James Kelly step down; Dee Perry and Joan Malczewski seek re-election, and three other candidates have filed. Marlys Davidson is leaving her Area 1 seat in Los Alamitos Unified School District, where community volunteer Ann Mulhearn is a candidate.
Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Area 7, is open following Ashley Anderson's departure. Code officer Andy Godinez and Spanish teacher and businesswoman Grace Danino Hickok are running. Barbara Schulman is leaving her Area 5 seat in Saddleback Valley Unified School District; candidates include community volunteer Kris Spowart and educator/counselor Edgar Montes. In Cypress School District, Area B, Troy Tanaka is stepping down. Jon Peat, husband of Councilwoman Bonnie Peat, and Jack Torrosian are candidates. Cypress School District, Area D, is open due to Lydia Sondhi's departure, with non-profit executive and educator Jeanette James currently the sole candidate.
Fountain Valley School District, an at-large district, sees Phu Nguyen and Sandra Crandall depart. Dennis Cole seeks re-election, joined by Marcus Lee, math teacher Carl Blankenhorn, and principal Rick Nichols. In Fullerton School District, Area 3, Beverly Berryman is leaving; healthcare advocate Jordan Abushawish and foundation board member Amy Choi-Won are candidates.
