How can Irvine balance its budget, keep housing affordable, ease traffic and strengthen schools?
Co-hosts and some candidates at the 2026 Irvine Candidates Forum.
Fifteen candidates offered their answers at the 2026 Meet the Irvine Candidates Forum on Oct. 17 at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center.
Several greeted voters in Mandarin, connecting with the community before outlining their priorities.
.jpeg)
The forum drew 15 of 16 listed candidates for six seats: mayor; City Council Districts 1, 5 and 6; and Irvine Unified School District Board Areas 2 and 4.
Residents from diverse backgrounds listened, took notes and compared proposals ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
.jpeg)
City discussions centered on finances, housing affordability, public and open spaces, safety and traffic.
School candidates emphasized parent involvement, staff support and stronger ties between families and educators. Policy discussions prevailed over personal attacks.
Cultural Roots, Civic Voices
The South Coast Chinese Cultural Association (SCCCA) and more than a dozen Asian American and community organizations hosted the forum, moderated by Voice of OC founder, publisher and editor-in-chief Norberto Santana.
Candidates had 90 seconds for introductions and platforms, followed by one-minute answers to community and audience questions.
CEO Yulan Chung noted that the forum coincided with SCCCA’s and Irvine Chinese School’s 50th anniversary.
Over five decades, the center has expanded from preserving Chinese culture and teaching language to encouraging civic participation.
Thanking each co-host for contributing during a busy election season, Chung said the longstanding forum helps voters assess candidates while letting candidates hear community concerns directly.
Online information, she added, cannot replace open, fair, face-to-face dialogue.
Mayoral Race, Practical Choices
Incumbent Mayor Larry Agran and challenger Maksim V. Egorov emphasized practical decisions amid competing needs and limited resources.
Egorov, a software engineer and business owner, said achieving his American dream inspired him to give back.
Community and school involvement shaped his focus on efficient, transparent government, clear priorities and responsive leadership.
Agran cited his experience in city operations, council decisions and budgeting.
Effective government, he said, requires fiscal discipline and sustained effort to balance competing demands, direct resources toward residents’ needs and maintain steady growth.
Community Service Proven Experience
Incumbent Councilmember Melinda Liu and former Mayor Sukhee Kang represented District 1. The third candidate, John Park, was unable to attend due to a family emergency.
Melinda Liu thanked voters for the opportunity to serve Chinese American residents in fluent Mandarin.
She cited work on community centers, libraries, expanded Irvine Connect service and safer streets.
Seeking reelection, she supports small businesses and startups, private funding for Asian American senior nutrition services, and transparent, disciplined budgeting.
Sukhee Kang said he balanced recession-era budgets and secured major transportation funding as mayor and councilmember.
He later oversaw federal properties and major projects across eight states as a regional administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration.
His priorities include prudent spending, public safety, strong schools, transit, local businesses and growth that protects open space.
Fiscal Discipline, Public Safety
Five candidates are competing for District 5, where finances, safety and community services dominated discussion.
Steven Alves, a 31-year Woodbridge resident, business owner and former deputy mayor’s chief of staff, called for closing the budget gap while preserving core services.
His priorities include road repairs, traffic improvements, public safety and keeping University Park Library open. City experience, he said, would allow him to serve effectively from day one.
Anthony Kuo, a former city commissioner for eight years and councilmember for four, pledged to restore fiscal discipline, protect taxpayer resources and strengthen safety.
He supports more affordable housing while preserving quality of life and residents’ voice in decisions, emphasizing collaboration, accountability and results.
Iraq War veteran Byron Salvatierra, a former Irvine Police public safety assistant and Orange County Fire Authority reserve firefighter, proposed using technology and safety expertise to protect infrastructure and improve disaster readiness.
He also called for budget transparency, fulfilled commitments and stronger neighborhood library resources.
Prudent Spending, Inclusive Support
Incumbent Betty Martinez Franco highlighted public safety work through the Orange County Fire Authority board, expanded support for seniors and working families, protection of University Park Library, a women’s conference and a bike-share pilot.
Seeking reelection in District 5, she emphasized sound finances, safe neighborhoods, small businesses and affordable housing, with support for seniors, working families and economically vulnerable residents.
Housing professional Julie Glossbrenner cited experience evaluating proposals, negotiating contracts and resolving complex problems.
She called for public scrutiny of city and Great Park financial commitments, projected costs and results.
Her platform combines balanced budgets, public safety and open-space preservation with growth and spending responsive to families, seniors and vulnerable residents.
Balanced Growth, Affordable Living
District 6 incumbent Kathleen Treseder and Irvine Sustainability Commissioner Scotty Hong focused on balancing development with residents’ needs.
Treseder, a UCI biology professor, advocates decisions grounded in evidence and transparency. She cited efforts to reform city government, balance budgets and curb lobbying influence over public assets.
Her reelection priorities include parks, green space, affordable housing, business development, workers’ rights and broader community representation.
Hong called for stronger police, fire and emergency services, better street lighting and sidewalks, and expanded free shuttle connections between UCI and residential neighborhoods.
He urged coordinated planning for housing, transportation, businesses and public facilities, alongside affordable homes for workers, students and families.
Family Partnerships, Classroom Support
School Board Area 2 candidates emphasized educational quality, staff support and family communication.
Incumbent Katie McEwen said strong schools reflect sustained community investment and effective leadership.
Citing four years of work to improve education, expand student pathways and support teachers and staff, she argued that good intentions need experience and sound judgment to produce results.
.jpeg)
School board candidates (from left): Katie McEwen, Jane Wood, Jeff Kim and Ron Scolesdang
Business owner and parent Ron Scolesdang hopes to bring entrepreneurial experience and firsthand knowledge of district families’ needs to the board.
He pledged to represent parents, teachers and students, identify problems through listening and bridge communication between families and the district.
Parent Voices, Student Success
Area 4 incumbent Jeff Kim said his commitment to education reflects his experience as both a trustee and a father.
Praising Asian American organizations’ civic engagement and school support, he pledged to strengthen student achievement and expand pathways to college and future opportunities.
Challenger Jane Wood said parents should be partners in education.
Drawing on experience serving families and teaching, she emphasized special and alternative education, stronger parent representation and attention to classroom needs.
Supporting teachers and staff, she said, is essential to helping students thrive.
From city budgets to classroom resources, the forum gave voters a chance to compare how candidates understand problems, allocate resources and intend to deliver on their promises.
Organizers urged residents to vote Nov. 3 and help shape Irvine’s future.
Co-hosts included : Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California; Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center; Cambodian Family Community Center; Center for Asian Americans in Action; Chinese American Association of Orange County; Irvine Chinese School; Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Association; Irvine Watchdog; KCS, Korean Community Service; Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance; Orange County Chinese American Chamber of Commerce; and Orange County Herald Center.
2026 Meet the Irvine Candidates Forum - Mayor Candidate Statements
2026 Meet the Irvine Candidates Forum - City Council Candidate Statements
2026 Meet the Irvine Candidates Forum - IUSD Board Candidate Statements
.jpeg)