I feel wildly undeserving of being included on this list, but I am so, so grateful.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how much local elections matter, and how easy it is for all of us doing this work to stay in our own little city or school district bubbles.
You do such a great job connecting people across Orange County and reminding us that a lot of these local fights, challenges, and successes are all connected.
The work you're doing is just awesome, and I’m genuinely honored to be included.
Is this an example of the great job of Pearlman connecting people that you admire?
“If I could switch bodies with 1986 Mike Tyson for one day, I would head over to Calvary Chapel, ask for Jack Hibbs, be told Jack Hibbs isn’t there, wait outside the church, see Hibbs roll up in his 2027 BMW 7 Series3—and I would go all Marvis Frazier on his ass.”
The threat includes specifics of a named person, location, vehicle to spot, and violence to be invoked (referencing a knockout hit by a boxer against his opponent).
Good point on the connections among politicians. Hugh Nguyen is connected with Orange County Sheriff Pat Barnes who endorsed Nguyen as well as endorsing Gracey Van Der Mark. Nguyen is also endorsed by the Orange County Republican Party.
You belong in the Gallery too, Jeff! These profiles of indefatigable energy and courage give me hope that we can win against the fraudsters, fanatics, and fomenters. PS When you publish an addendum, add Sherine Smith also.
You left out JJ Galvez; candidate for CA Assembly District 71. This young man is the real deal. He has put in the work, takes no corporate PAC money and runs one of the most joyful campaigns in OC and Riverside counties. Really challenging district. Please check him out at JJ Galvez.com
I think JJ has a bright future ahead of him and am working hard to help him win this tough race! His opponent has a dismal voting record, but managed to vote no on a bill that would prevent 3D printers from making illegal guns. WTF! 🤬
JJ came in second to Sanchez in the primary by 16.4% percentage points, with only the two candidates on the ballot. What is the logic behind JJ winning in the general given the primary results? So far, I haven’t seen any different campaign strategy, although I don’t follow this as closely as some others certainly do.
I suggest you visit JJ http://Galvez.com and find out more about his ideas for the 71st Assembly District. Sanchez is a no-show that blames everything on ‘Sacramento’. We need a representative that will show up and get things done.
You just stated you don’t follow this closely; which is it? Are you familiar with his plans for California’s future ? Your question doesn’t make sense. Logic would suggest that name recognition, refinement of campaign information and recruitment of new volunteers will increase his chances of representing the 71st Assembly District. Sanchez has one of the worst voting records in the Assembly. Are you going to vote for someone who never shows up?
I don’t follow JJ’s campaign too closely, but more than the average registered voter very likely.
When a candidate comes in second by a double digit percentage loss, it is reasonable in my opinion to ask what a campaign will do differently to win the general. The reasoning is using the same strategy is likely to conclude with the same results. There appears to be no plan that I know of to adjust the campaign to either court potential swing voters or get a huge increase in other voting blocks. That’s why I asked the question.
Great picks! I look forward to hearing more about the ones I don't know. Gentle correction. Mary Carter is an absolute must pick, but I think your picture is of Jill Nelke, as active as Mary Carter but more shy. Suggested edit...get a good pic of Mary and add a write-up of Jill. Also, I second that JJ Galvez should be on the list.
Norberto is the shit. Voice of OC does such good reporting but it also does a great job of getting college students involved in local reporting. Just a great publication made and ran by a great dude.
Love this list! I’m sure it could have been more than twice the length. We have so many in our communities who give endlessly. I’m thrilled to call many of them friends. Important adds should be the ladies and men who are working so hard to help HB regain its reputation. Protect HB is a standout group! Thanks Jeff for giving us this very positive post.
Thank you for recognizing Amy Capelle and the many other WAVE women on this list (like Joanna and Linda). One of the best things about WAVE right now is how much Amy has reached out to other organizations to collaborate and work together. ZERO ego there.
💯 for Levin, Foley, Cappelle, DWSOC crew, and Weiss so I'm sure the others are great too. In fact, when people complain that all politicians are corrupt I hold Mike Levin up as the counterargument. So sad that I've been redistricted (Dana Point).
Mike Levin visited a military supplier company that makes display systems for "military armored-vehicle and weapon-system fire-control equipment", Palomar. This hosted visit is mentioned on Palomar's LinkedIn, although I cannot find a corresponding entry on Mike Levin's site so far. Palomar described Levin as “particularly helpful to our small business".
In 2019, Mike Levin attended an all-expense paid trip to Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, an AIPAC affiliated organization (although not AIPAC itself). He did it again in 2022, sans his wife this time.
Thanks so much for this. I appreciate your recognition and adulation of these people, particularly because I know many of them and know they deserve this recognition!
I’d like to recognize the outstanding contributions from all on this list, but I especially want give special recognition to the women on this list and hundreds (if not thousands) of other women in this county and beyond who are the backbone of the fight to move this county and country forward to a more inclusive, equitable America. Thank you!
I feel wildly undeserving of being included on this list, but I am so, so grateful.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how much local elections matter, and how easy it is for all of us doing this work to stay in our own little city or school district bubbles.
You do such a great job connecting people across Orange County and reminding us that a lot of these local fights, challenges, and successes are all connected.
The work you're doing is just awesome, and I’m genuinely honored to be included.
Is this an example of the great job of Pearlman connecting people that you admire?
“If I could switch bodies with 1986 Mike Tyson for one day, I would head over to Calvary Chapel, ask for Jack Hibbs, be told Jack Hibbs isn’t there, wait outside the church, see Hibbs roll up in his 2027 BMW 7 Series3—and I would go all Marvis Frazier on his ass.”
The threat includes specifics of a named person, location, vehicle to spot, and violence to be invoked (referencing a knockout hit by a boxer against his opponent).
Good point on the connections among politicians. Hugh Nguyen is connected with Orange County Sheriff Pat Barnes who endorsed Nguyen as well as endorsing Gracey Van Der Mark. Nguyen is also endorsed by the Orange County Republican Party.
You belong in the Gallery too, Jeff! These profiles of indefatigable energy and courage give me hope that we can win against the fraudsters, fanatics, and fomenters. PS When you publish an addendum, add Sherine Smith also.
YES! We lost a wildly overqualified public servant who would’ve been an amazing asset for CUSD school board. 💔💔
To clarify, you approve of his approach that you see he uses in this substack if he were a politician?
Great list. Thanks. I’d also include DWSOC executive board member Sherine Smith with the others that you mentioned.
Sherrine Smith donated to Mike Levin’s campaign. DWSOC endorsed both. Mike Levin receives donations from AIPAC PAC and corporate PAC’s.
You left out JJ Galvez; candidate for CA Assembly District 71. This young man is the real deal. He has put in the work, takes no corporate PAC money and runs one of the most joyful campaigns in OC and Riverside counties. Really challenging district. Please check him out at JJ Galvez.com
I think JJ has a bright future ahead of him and am working hard to help him win this tough race! His opponent has a dismal voting record, but managed to vote no on a bill that would prevent 3D printers from making illegal guns. WTF! 🤬
JJ came in second to Sanchez in the primary by 16.4% percentage points, with only the two candidates on the ballot. What is the logic behind JJ winning in the general given the primary results? So far, I haven’t seen any different campaign strategy, although I don’t follow this as closely as some others certainly do.
I suggest you visit JJ http://Galvez.com and find out more about his ideas for the 71st Assembly District. Sanchez is a no-show that blames everything on ‘Sacramento’. We need a representative that will show up and get things done.
I already have visited and I do not see anything there that differs from the primary. My question stands.
You just stated you don’t follow this closely; which is it? Are you familiar with his plans for California’s future ? Your question doesn’t make sense. Logic would suggest that name recognition, refinement of campaign information and recruitment of new volunteers will increase his chances of representing the 71st Assembly District. Sanchez has one of the worst voting records in the Assembly. Are you going to vote for someone who never shows up?
I don’t follow JJ’s campaign too closely, but more than the average registered voter very likely.
When a candidate comes in second by a double digit percentage loss, it is reasonable in my opinion to ask what a campaign will do differently to win the general. The reasoning is using the same strategy is likely to conclude with the same results. There appears to be no plan that I know of to adjust the campaign to either court potential swing voters or get a huge increase in other voting blocks. That’s why I asked the question.
Unlike Mike Levin who does accept corporate PAC money (alcohol distributors for one).
Great picks! I look forward to hearing more about the ones I don't know. Gentle correction. Mary Carter is an absolute must pick, but I think your picture is of Jill Nelke, as active as Mary Carter but more shy. Suggested edit...get a good pic of Mary and add a write-up of Jill. Also, I second that JJ Galvez should be on the list.
Love JJ!
Thanks a million for your important coverage of OC public figures. Amazing work which I appreciate very much.
Norberto is the shit. Voice of OC does such good reporting but it also does a great job of getting college students involved in local reporting. Just a great publication made and ran by a great dude.
Love this list! I’m sure it could have been more than twice the length. We have so many in our communities who give endlessly. I’m thrilled to call many of them friends. Important adds should be the ladies and men who are working so hard to help HB regain its reputation. Protect HB is a standout group! Thanks Jeff for giving us this very positive post.
Thank you for recognizing Amy Capelle and the many other WAVE women on this list (like Joanna and Linda). One of the best things about WAVE right now is how much Amy has reached out to other organizations to collaborate and work together. ZERO ego there.
Great list!! Thanks for all the hard work by so many. And so many more not on this list. And thanks for what you do Jeff!
💯 for Levin, Foley, Cappelle, DWSOC crew, and Weiss so I'm sure the others are great too. In fact, when people complain that all politicians are corrupt I hold Mike Levin up as the counterargument. So sad that I've been redistricted (Dana Point).
PLEASE help Melissa Caldwell win the school board election! Her MAGA opponent is dangerous!
Mike Levin visited a military supplier company that makes display systems for "military armored-vehicle and weapon-system fire-control equipment", Palomar. This hosted visit is mentioned on Palomar's LinkedIn, although I cannot find a corresponding entry on Mike Levin's site so far. Palomar described Levin as “particularly helpful to our small business".
In 2019, Mike Levin attended an all-expense paid trip to Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, an AIPAC affiliated organization (although not AIPAC itself). He did it again in 2022, sans his wife this time.
Mike Levin accepts corporate PAC money (example Boeing in 2024).
source: fec.gov
Mike Levin receives campaign donations from AIPAC PAC, both directly and earmarked.
JJ Galvez is missing from this list. Spend some time with him and you know that the next generation is extremely capable.
Thanks so much for this. I appreciate your recognition and adulation of these people, particularly because I know many of them and know they deserve this recognition!
Loved all of these names!!! I know most, but looking forward to getting to know the others!
Thanks for this uplifting post on a Friday.
Thanks for this list. There are some real champions in Orange County. It makes me proud to live here.
Kudos to those who made the list, and also to the many, many others who are doing what they can to make OC better and better.
I’d like to recognize the outstanding contributions from all on this list, but I especially want give special recognition to the women on this list and hundreds (if not thousands) of other women in this county and beyond who are the backbone of the fight to move this county and country forward to a more inclusive, equitable America. Thank you!