Outside Money Surges Into Orange County Races as Election Day Nears

Millions in outside spending has landed in an Orange County Assembly race between Santa Ana City Councilmembers Jessie Lopez and David Penaloza, both Democrats, as Election Day on Nov. 3 draws near. Penaloza's campaign has drawn support from real estate and Silicon Valley interests, while Lopez's campaign has received backing from labor unions.

Two Orange County Board of Supervisors races are among the most expensive in recent history. The sheriff deputies' union, the firefighters union, realtor interests and oil companies have funded political mailers and online advertising in those contests. Disneyland Resort interests also moved hundreds of thousands of dollars among political action committees to support city council candidates, including two races where incumbents face no opposition.

Newport Beach city officials canceled a special election after weeks of confusion. The special election had been ordered by a court and city officials had planned to run it alongside the Nov. 3 election. In Santa Ana, city officials have faced questions about pool access after a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the city council. After reporting by Voice of OC, city officials announced Wednesday they would open the pools for recreational swim, lap swimming and exercise channel water walking, offering children five hours of swim time on Saturdays.

A portion of Pacific Coast Highway was closed, along with part of the Pacific Surfliner train line in South Orange County, as king tides and high surf struck the coast. Rain was expected over the Halloween weekend. Coastal cities across Orange County have been fortifying beaches and coastal areas to reduce flooding ahead of what is expected to be a super El Niño this year.

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, an Irvine Democrat, has faced questions about her ties to utility interests after she was seen with an influential Pacific Gas and Electric lobbyist at her fundraiser. The fundraiser came before a committee hearing she chairs on potentially bailing out public utility groups from wildfires. In another county dispute, more than 400 public workers rejected a new employment contract and returned to strike this week after county officials publicly downplayed the effects of picket lines.

Norberto Santana Jr., publisher and editor in chief of Voice of OC, said county officials made statements about the strike's effects on public services that did not match what state officials were told. The county said services such as landfills were minimally affected, while telling state officials that trash drop-offs were cut by 75% at one landfill. Residents near the Prima Desecha landfill in San Juan Capistrano have reported dust and debris on their homes and in their air filters as the county expands the facility. Some residents said the dust has brought on asthma and health problems in their pets.

In Irvine, city council members declined to audit spending as the city faces what could be a nearly $40 million budget deficit in two years. In Santa Ana, the city council voted unanimously for an ordinance that bans e-bike riding on playgrounds and sets speed limits. Rain was expected to reach the region over the Halloween weekend.