Rancho Santa Margarita is gearing up for election season 2026, a period that follows significant changes to the city’s governance structure. The city held its first district election in 2024 after being sued over its previous use of at-large voting.
That 2024 election saw city founder Carol Gamble removed from the ballot due to "criminal behavior on ballot gathering." Current Mayor Tony Beall is also under investigation by both the State Bar and the District Attorney for similar issues related to ballot gathering.
Mayor Beall implemented a change to the city’s structure, establishing four districts and one mayoral position. This arrangement allowed him, along with Councilmembers Brad McGirr and Anne Figueroa, to continue serving simultaneously. Additionally, a new provision was established allowing Mayor Beall to select all planning commissioners, departing from the previous system where each council member made one selection.
Among these appointments is Josh Bastian, who was named planning commissioner for Councilman Jerry Holloway’s district. Councilman Holloway, who has served since 2002, will not be seeking re-election. Planning Commissioner Bastian faced a reprimand from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) regarding his financial disclosures, requiring him to take a class on compliance and refile.
Councilman Brad McGirr is running unopposed for re-election. Reports indicate McGirr maintains a second home in Idaho and is not always present in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Councilwoman Anne Figueroa, described as a personal appointment by Mayor Beall, is also facing scrutiny. Figueroa works for State Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, under the Mayor’s wife, Jennifer Beall. Jennifer Beall has previously been found guilty of campaign finance violations and is currently under FPPC investigation for additional issues. Anne Figueroa is similarly under FPPC investigation for campaign finance issues, with her financial reporting described as problematic. Her interior decorating business receives between $10,000 and $100,000 annually from a single client, for whom she claims both employment and consulting.
Council members’ positions in Rancho Santa Margarita pay approximately $250 per month, with benefits designed to accumulate about $100,000 in a pension or retirement account after one term. Councilwoman Figueroa recently paid a political consultant-lawyer $1,500. This lawyer has been suspended from the bar and also represented Mayor Beall in connection with campaign finance violations "a few years ago."
Both Mayor Beall and Councilman McGirr are reported to maintain second residences out of state, with McGirr's in Idaho, and are not considered full-time residents of Rancho Santa Margarita.
