The local school board elections in Orange County present a trend of triumph for sitting members. Initial results released by the county registrar last Friday signify a promising lead for most of the incumbent candidates. There are, however, a few exceptions, for instance in the Fullerton School District, where the established authorities show some hint of vulnerability. It’s critical to note that with votes still under count, these preliminary numbers are subject to change.
Situated in Area 1 of Anaheim Elementary School District resides an authority figure, Jackie Filbeck, who has rendered her service since 2016. The latest election results suggest a high possibility of her continuing to mentor the school district. Ryan J. Hall, her opponent in the race, is significantly lagging, with Filbeck confidently capturing 73.58% of the total vote.
Venturing into Area 3 of the same school district, there is no sitting board member. However, Julie Diep emerges as the front-runner, acquiring 60.80% of the votes so far. Diep’s competition, Matthew Alex Mariscal, a pest control business owner, has yet to make an impressive headway in the race.
Turning to the Anaheim Union High School District, Katherine Smith, the Area 3 Trustee, is well ahead of Jose Paolo Magcalas, with 54.43% of votes in her favor. Smith’s leadership and experience seem to have provided her a substantial incumbency advantage, while Magcalas’ campaign struggles to gain momentum.
In Area 4 of the Anaheim Union High School District, Brian O’Neal has taken a commanding lead, securing 69.73% of the votes. His rivalling candidate, Centralia School District Trustee Henry Charoen, finds it challenging to match stride with O’Neal’s prowess.
Area 5 witnesses Ron Hoshi, a retired school administrator and teacher, leading the race with 61.69% of the votes. His opponent Steve Blount, a trustee for the North Orange Community College District, has so far been unable to shake Hoshi’s lead.
Another competitive race is in the offing in Area 3, where Michael Jensen, an Aerospace engineering manager, currently has 56.23% of votes. Tharwa Ahmad, the current school board president since 2017, remains trailing around 300 votes behind.
A member affiliated with the Los Alamitos Education Foundation is leading in the Area 4 elections, acquiring 58.18% of votes. However, the count is still in progress, and a definite conclusion would be premature.
Matt Bragman has proven his popularity in Area 5, stepping out front with 63.67% of votes according to the latest count, while Ana Page is inching closer to a fruitful reelection with 72.88% of total votes.
It is worth noting that the seats of two candidates who secured their positions following the recall of two members in primary elections earlier this year are seemingly secure, as per the initial trends of the ongoing count.
Sara Pelly has carved a considerable lead in the District 4 race, pulling in an impressive 79.85% of votes. On the other hand, in District 7, Stephen Glass enjoys a comfortable and clear leadership over Steve Rocco with 80.35% of votes.
Tricia Quintero, a dedicated teacher, has distinguished herself in the race, taking the lead with 61.62% of the total votes. These numbers exemplify her strong standing within the Orange County school community.
The preliminary returns hint at a promising future for Area 1 Trustee Allyson Muñiz Damikolas, who was newly elected to the board in 2020. She has shot into the lead with 69.86% of votes, confidently outpacing Joe Portera.
Another Area 2 race sees retired nonprofit executive Kathy Copeland leading with 54.35% of votes over health care executive Bill Pevehouse. Her experience and commitment to education appear to be paying off in these early counts.
Lastly, the Area 4 race is being led by Jonathan Stone who has a resounding lead over Mark McCallie, securing 65.22% of the votes. Stone’s hold over his area is clear and substantial, reflecting positively on his representation of the community.