Orange, Calif. – At a special meeting tonight, the Democratic Party of Orange County Central Committee unanimously endorsed Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley for the Board of Supervisors District 2 special election. 

A Democrat has not held the District 2 seat since 1894. Democrats view the special election as an historic opportunity to gain a stronger foothold on the Board of Supervisors. 

Chairwoman Ada Briceño stated: “Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley is a recognized champion for our health and safety. When the pandemic hit, Mayor Foley collaborated with every level of government to find immediate solutions for businesses, workers and residents. In addition to hosting public town halls to keep us informed, she is committed to strong economic recovery that includes everyone. She is the best possible person for this job — period.”

Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley stated: “I am overwhelmed by the strong outpouring of support that this campaign continues to receive. It is an honor to earn this vote of confidence. I want to hear from our communities across Orange County, so that I can build solutions in partnership with our cities and neighborhoods.”

West Vice Chair Libby Frolichman stated: “This special election impacts all of us. No matter where you live, every person who cares about a safe, healthy and prosperous Orange County should treat this election with serious gravity. We only have a short time to win this, and we must act fast.”

Political Director Ajay Mohan stated: “Voters must choose Katrina Foley or risk the same failed leadership from our current Board of Supervisors. This year alone, the Republican-controlled Board failed to take the COVID crisis seriously, damaging our reputation as a safe tourist destination and, more importantly, bringing us close to 1,700 COVID related deaths. From climate change to homelessness to county oversight, it’s long past time for a strong Democrat on the Board.”

The special election will occur this spring; the Orange County Registrar of Voters will announce the election date in early January.

About the Democratic Party of Orange County

Orange County is a nationally-watched battleground for federal and state elections. Once famously known as “Reagan country,” after President Reagan called Orange County the place where “all good Republicans go to die,” Orange County is rapidly shifting from a Republican stronghold into a highly diverse Democratic metropolis. 

Chair Ada Briceño, a longtime labor organizer, Co-President of UNITE HERE Local 11, and Democratic National Committee member, is the first immigrant and second Latina to lead the Democratic Party of Orange County. Her executive leadership team includes Latino, Asian American, millennial, and LGBT representation. 

Orange County Democrats are experiencing dramatic growth at all levels of office. In 2018, they famously swept all seven Congressional seats in Orange County. In 2019, Democrats overtook countywide voter registration to become the region’s leading political party. In 2020, Democrats flipped 20 local seats and two state senate seats from red to blue, including in deep-red areas of the county. Over the past four years, Democrats made a 5-point gain in voter registration, and now outpace the OC GOP by more than two points.

Orange County is the nation’s sixth largest county, with 3.2 million residents and more than 650,000 registered Democratic voters. 

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For Immediate Release: December 17, 2020
Media Contact: ​Rachel Potucek, rachel@ocdemocrats.org