2024 Irvine elections
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5 out of 7 seats on the City Council 4 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in California |
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The 2024 Irvine elections were held on March 5, 2024, and November 5, 2024. In the March primary, voters approved Measure D, expanding the Irvine City Council from five to seven members and transitioning the city from at-large to by-district elections.[1]
Measure D took effect in time for the November general election, creating four new council districts — three of which would elect representatives to four-year terms, and one short-term seat (District 1) to be contested again in 2026. The mayoralty was also on the ballot.
Municipal elections in California are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot. Nonetheless, local party organizations, labor unions, and community groups made endorsements, and partisan alignments played an informal role in campaigning.[2]
City council
District 1
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| Turnout | 75.4% [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Precinct results Liu: 30–40% 40–50% Park: 30–40% No votes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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District 1 covers north Irvine, including Orchard Hills, West Irvine, Northpark, Stonegate, and parts of Northwood. It was designated as a short-term seat, to be contested again in 2026.[4]
The race was competitive, with five candidates — four of whom held or had held city commission seats. Key issues included traffic congestion on Jeffrey Road, preservation of open space in Orchard Hills, and police staffing levels.[5]
Candidates
- Melinda Liu (Democrat), estate planning attorney and Irvine Finance Commissioner.[6]
- John Park (Republican), business owner, Irvine Transportation Commissioner, and perennial candidate.[7][8]
- Michelle Johnson (Republican), Irvine Planning Commissioner.[9]
- Jackie Kan (Democrat), small business owner.
- Jeff Kitchen(Democrat), senior project engineer.
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melinda Liu | 5,896 | 32.3 | |
| John Park | 5,787 | 31.7 | |
| Michelle Johnson | 3,274 | 17.9 | |
| Jackie Kan | 2,243 | 12.3 | |
| Jeff Kitchen | 1,050 | 5.8 | |
| Total votes | 18,250 | 100 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | 2,890 | 13.7 | |
District 2
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| Turnout | 75.9% [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Precinct results Go: 20–30% 30–40% Starke: 20–30% Yazdani: 30–40% No votes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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District 2 covers portions of central and southeastern Irvine, including Great Park, parts of Cypress Village, and areas adjacent to the Irvine Spectrum.[10]
During the campaign, Irvine Watchdog reported that candidate Parrisa Yazdani had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April 2024, resulting in the discharge of approximately $900,000 in state and federal tax debt, as well as related fines.[11] Subsequent reporting by the Orange Juice Blog detailed an ongoing civil lawsuit in which a creditor alleged that Yazdani had misrepresented her ownership role in a business when obtaining loans, and sought to have the debt declared non-dischargeable due to fraud and misappropriation claims. Yazdani filed a response in court denying all allegations.[12] The reports drew media and community attention in the weeks leading up to the election.
Candidates
- William Go (Democrat), business leader and community volunteer.[13]
- Jeff Starke (Democrat), community advocate.[14]
- Gang Chen (Republican), engineer and author.
- Parrisa Yazdani (Independent), nonprofit leader.
- Mohamed Kothermydeen (Independent), small business owner.
Withdrawn
- Alex Mohajer (Democrat), nonprofit executive and former candidate for the California State Senate in 2024.[15] Mohajer ended his campaign in July 2024, announcing plans to relocate to Arizona to work on voter outreach efforts ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.[16]
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Go | 5,352 | 30.9 | |
| Jeff Starke | 4,441 | 25.7 | |
| Gang Chen | 3,624 | 20.9 | |
| Parrisa Yazdani | 3,199 | 18.5 | |
| Mohamed Kothermydeen | 689 | 4.0 | |
| Total votes | 17,305 | 100 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | 3,047 | 15.0 | |
District 3
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| Turnout | 77.7% [3] | ||||||||||||||||
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Precinct results Mai: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% Chomyn: 30–40% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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District 3 is located in central and north-central Irvine, including neighborhoods such as Woodbridge, Walnut Village, and portions of El Camino Real.[17]
Key issues included neighborhood safety around the Woodbridge lakes, congestion along Culver Drive and Jeffrey Road, and how to balance additional housing with existing infrastructure and open-space policies.[18]
Candidates
- James Mai (Republican), business professional and former Chamber of Commerce board member.[19]
- Tom Chomyn (Democrat), community volunteer.[20]
- Jing Sun (Democrat), educator and small business owner.[21]
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| James Mai | 8,968 | 44.0 | |
| Tom Chomyn | 5,845 | 28.7 | |
| Jing Sun | 5,569 | 27.3 | |
| Total votes | 20,382 | 100 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | 3,647 | 15.2 | |
District 4
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| Turnout | 79.2% [3] | ||||||||||||
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Precinct results Carroll: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90% Craciun: 50–60% No votes | |||||||||||||
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District 4 encompasses southwestern Irvine, including Quail Hill, portions of University Park, Irvine Spectrum and areas bordering Laguna Canyon. Incumbent Mike Carroll, previously elected at-large in 2020, sought and won re-election to the district seat.[22]
The contest was one of the most closely watched in the city, with Carroll facing sustainability commissioner Ayn Craciun. Debates centered on fiscal management, transparency, and environmental initiatives.[23]
Candidates
- Mike Carroll (Republican), incumbent Irvine City Councilmember (at-large).[24]
- Ayn Craciun (Democrat), nonprofit director and Chair of the Irvine Sustainability Commission.[25]
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Mike Carroll | 10,255 | 57.9 | |
| Ayn Craciun | 7,446 | 42.1 | |
| Total votes | 20,382 | 100 | |
| Invalid or blank votes | 3,050 | 14.7 | |
Notes
- ^ While all districts were newly created under Measure D, the number of Democratic held seats did not change from 2022 to 2024, and are reflected here as being "held".
- ^ Under Measure D, District 5 and 6 were to remain vacant while while councilmembers who reside in those areas still serve their council term at-large.
References
- ^ "Measure D Passes: Irvine Voters Approve District Elections". Irvine Watchdog. March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Parties Play Role in Irvine District Council Races". Voice of OC. October 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "OC ROV 2024 General Election Statement of Votes" (PDF). Orange County Registrar of Voters. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "Five candidates vie for new Irvine District 1 seat on City Council". Orange County Register. October 22, 2024.
- ^ "District 1 Candidates Address Development, Traffic, and Public Safety". Irvine Watchdog. October 15, 2024.
- ^ "Melinda Liu, Irvine City Council District 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "John Park, Irvine City Council District 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "John Park". Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "Michelle Johnson, Irvine City Council District 1 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Five candidates vie for new Irvine District 2 seat on City Council". Orange County Register. October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Irvine City Council Candidate Owed $900,000 in Taxes, Received Forgiveness Through Bankruptcy". Irvine Watchdog. July 28, 2024.
- ^ "Alex Mohajer Drops Irvine Council Run to Fight Trump in Arizona — and More". Orange Juice Blog. July 29, 2024.
- ^ "William Go, Irvine City Council District 2 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Jeff Starke, Irvine City Council District 2 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Alex Mohajer Drops Irvine Council Run to Fight Trump in Arizona — and More". Orange Juice Blog. July 29, 2024.
- ^ "Alex Mohajer suspends Irvine City Council Campaign to Promote Harris Presidential Campaign". The Liberal OC. August 1, 2024.
- ^ "Three candidates vie for new Irvine District 3 seat on City Council". Orange County Register. October 22, 2024.
- ^ "District 3 Candidates on Growth and Parks". Irvine Watchdog. October 16, 2024.
- ^ "James Mai, Irvine City Council District 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Tom Chomyn, Irvine City Council District 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Jing Sun, Irvine City Council District 3 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Two candidates face off in Irvine District 4 City Council race".
- ^ "District 4 Candidates Discuss Budget and Environment". Irvine Watchdog. October 19, 2024.
- ^ "Mike Carroll, Irvine City Council District 4 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".
- ^ "Ayn Craciun, Irvine City Council District 4 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire".