Dwyer is first incumbent to lose since 1996

If there's been an upset in this year's Huntington Beach City Council race, historically speaking, it's incumbent Devin Dwyer's fifth-place finish.

1 of 3 school bonds set to pass

Only one of three school bond measures on this year's ballot that would raise property taxes for Huntington Beach residents is set to pass, with the Coast Community College District's Measure M holding 56.4% of the vote as of Tuesday afternoon.

College bond measure nears voter approval

The Coast Community College District initially appears to have won a $698-million bond measure for facilities rehabilitation and construction, but opponents weren't ready Friday to concede with votes still uncounted.

In Orange County, Republicans disappointed by party's showing

As the very young and the very old began to head for the exits of Orange County's biggest election night party, Republican political donors, strategists and candidates headed to the elevators.

Mansoor, Rohrabacher strong in early returns

Local Republicans celebrated the electoral victories of state Assemblyman Allan Mansoor and other area GOP candidates Tuesday night in a packed hotel ballroom across from South Coast Plaza. U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher also nabbed another win.

Hardy top vote-getter in H.B. City Council race

Former Mayor Jill Hardy led all candidates for Huntington Beach City Council as of Wednesday morning, with Jim Katapodis and former Mayor Dave Sullivan close behind and incumbent Devin Dwyer a distant fifth.

Nagel, Brothers ahead for Fountain Valley council

Experience carried the day in the race for Fountain Valley City Council, with incumbent Steve Nagel and former Councilwoman Cheryl Brothers holding a substantial lead Wednesday morning.

Candidate dismisses FPPC complaint

Travis Allen, a Huntington Beach resident running for the 72nd Assembly district, has denounced a complaint filed against him with the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Commentary: Rohrabacher's absence was voters' loss

The League of Women Voters of Orange Coast feels compelled to respond to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's statement as quoted in your article ("Candidate a no-show at forum," Oct. 25): "Years ago, I participated in several forums by the League of Women Voters and found them to be dishonest and biased, and I decided I would not ever be involved in the League of Women Voters again."

Measure Z: Read their lips, if you can follow

Proponents of Measure Z say the opposition is misleading the public with the "no new taxes" message on campaign signs citywide.

Former officials file complaint against PAC

Two former mayors from Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley have filed complaints with the state against Newport Beach-based Atlas PAC — the committee responsible for sending three mailers that attack former Huntington Beach Mayor and council candidate Jill Hardy.

Mailbag: This Atlas is shouldering a whopper

The persistent and pervasive attempt by shadowy conservative outside special interests to meddle with Huntington Beach politics and civic affairs reared its ugly head again recently with a scurrilous hit piece put out by reactionary Atlas PAC targeting former Mayor Jill Hardy ("Hardy calls mailers untrue," Oct. 25). The Atlas PAC board includes local resident and one-time candidate for public office Ben Pugh.

Commentary: Measure Z invites community solution

While Measure Z clearly removes a tax, the issue is indeed far from simple. But first, the easier part to understand: Currently residents and businesses alike subsidize the employee portion of our public employee pensions though an assessment included as a part of our property tax bill. This means the city pays their agreed-upon contribution and the employee pays their agreed-upon contribution minus that which we supply through our property tax bill.

Nagel has experience putting out political fires

Steve Nagel knows all about making tough decisions.

O'Connell ready for the tough decisions

He says he knows what it is like to deal with difficult situations, to balance budgets and to instill hope in those who have given up on themselves.

Hardy says she's an advocate for residents

For years in the last decade, it was a common line in Huntington Beach City Council stories:

Rush says he's in to win

Amid the bluster and noise of election season, and with Nov. 6 approaching like a bullet train, Newport Beach businessman Bob Rush managed to find some quiet.

Candidate is all about the numbers

While many of the candidates for the Huntington Beach City Council speak of reforming pension, Erik Peterson says he's studied the issue inside and out and knows how to fix it.

Candidate calls campaign mailers dishonest

Former Huntington Beach Mayor Jill Hardy has decried what she calls inaccuracies in campaign mailers seeking to derail her run for City Council.

Tucker runs on private-sector smarts

If Patrick Tucker gets elected to the Fountain Valley City Council this year, he'll have an anonymous janitor somewhere to thank.

Commentary: Measure N deserves a 'Y' vote

The Fountain Valley School District is asking its community to support Measure N, the Fountain Valley School District Technology Endowment Initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Investing in local politics

Duy Nguyen considers himself a black sheep.

Pushing his experience

Bruce Brandt spends a lot of time around horses. And like some iconic horsemen — say, Clint Eastwood as the Man With No Name — he's on the quiet side.

Commentary: Districts need dollars to work

School districts throughout the state of California continue to feel the impact of millions of dollars in funding cuts over the past five years, and additional cuts are expected for the next two years.

Mailbag: Time to face facts on Measure Z

Please enlighten me on the arguments I have continually heard both from the for and against Measure Z camps. Let me preface by saying I am sure I will get an earful from the folks who do not like my stance on this and various matters, but what the heck, that's what freedom of speech is for and this is food for thought.

Rohrabacher skips candidates' forum

Attendees may have been puzzled as to why Friday's congressional candidates' forum, hosted by the League of Women's Voters in Laguna Beach, wasn't attended by both candidates.

Sullivan is stepping up to the plate

He'd rather be playing senior softball.

Candidate accuses official of 'sabotage' on video message

A Huntington Beach City Council candidate's campaign team has decried a city official's decision to superimpose a written message on a video that features the candidate discussing his campaign.

This ought to be worth extra credit

When Bryan Tice isn't studying in school, he's studying Fountain Valley's culture and politics.

Wentzel's campaign is a family affair

Bob Wentzel has two formidable, influential women backing his campaign for Huntington Beach City Council — and neither one comes attached to a union or major political party.

Mailbag: Measure Z not worth the losses

By now, many people have seen the orange posters around town that say "No on Z." But what exactly is Measure Z? Measure Z proposes the elimination of a property tax that helps to fund the pensions of public employees.

Politics stay friendly at Chamber

Local state assembly candidates kept it polite Wednesday night at a reception hosted by the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Polsky: Actions speak louder than words

It's a testy night for the Huntington Beach City Council. Two members with a history of bad blood have started to raise their voices over an agenda item. As the argument escalates, the woman who already exceeded the time limit during public comments returns to the microphone and adds her voice to the fray.

The power of positive campaigning

Barbara Delgleize is full of ideas.

Supporters band together for Brothers campaign

Fountain Valley's slogan is "A Nice Place to Live," and Cheryl Brothers agrees. After living here for 37 years, though, she can tell when it's in need of improvement.

Senior center provides sparks at forum

Eleven of the 12 candidates for Huntington Beach City Council offered their divergent views Thursday at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Orange Coast and the American Assn. University of Women.

Measure M would fund improvements

The Coast Community College District has put a $698-million bond measure on the November ballot to support facility rehabilitation and construction.

Candidate votes 'yes' on development

Tim Ryan counts himself a friend of development.

Katapodis back on campaign trail

Jim Katapodis will be ready to run with the big dogs if he's elected to the Huntington Beach City Council this year.

Democrat challenges Rohrabacher's incumbency

Ron Varasteh will pull an all-nighter to uphold his political beliefs, even with a tent over his head.

Mailbag: No A grade for Measure Z

I am a resident who has lived in Huntington Beach for 45 years, and I will be voting no on Measure Z ("Pro tax group gets signs up," Sept. 20).

Riding the elephant, sometimes

He is the only incumbent running in a crowded field of 12 candidates on the Huntington Beach City Council ticket, and while he likes to please the Orange County GOP, Councilman Devin Dwyer says he votes for city first and party second.

Where politics and philosophy meet

Tony James Carter, a first-time candidate for Huntington Beach City Council, has articulated clear views on the senior center, downtown policing and other issues.

Pension reform main topic at candidate forum

If the head negotiators from the Huntington Beach police and fire associations had had a podium of their own during Monday's night's Surf City Tea Party candidate forum, it might have turned into the free-for-all of the year.

Tax measure opponents take midnight ride

Save Our HB members walked en masse at midnight Monday to make known their opposition to a ballot initiative that would repeal a special property tax.

City attorney's partner up for school board

The live-in boyfriend of Huntington Beach City Attorney Jennifer McGrath has withdrawn his initial plans to run for city clerk and instead is seeking a seat on the Huntington Beach Union High School District's board.

Police, fire groups endorse same trio of council candidates

Huntington Beach's police and fire associations have endorsed the same three candidates for City Council this year, each backing Jill Hardy, Jim Katapodis and Billy O'Connell out of the field of 12 contenders.

City Lights: Time to leave the 'colors' out of voting

There's a hilarious song by the Orange County folk singer Michael Ubaldini called "World Peace in 10 Easy Lessons," in which the narrator journeys from one potential guru to another in hopes of discovering the secret to a strife-free world.

Ryan leads in City Council campaign fundraising

Huntington Beach Planning Commissioner Tim Ryan leads all City Council candidates in campaign fundraising for the first half of the year, according to the city clerk's office.

Final candidate count sits at 5 for Fountain Valley

The field of candidates for Fountain Valley City Council has been finalized, with five contenders running for two open seats.