Irvine’s November Election: What Voters Need to Know

by ICNV Staff

On November 3rd, Irvine voters will head to the polls to elect the City’s Mayor. Voters in Council Districts 1, 5, and 6 will also have the opportunity to choose a representative for their district on the City Council.

Here’s a look at the candidates who have qualified to appear on the November 3rd ballot:

IRVINE MAYOR
All Irvine voters will cast a ballot for Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Larry Agran is seeking re-election to a two-year term as Irvine’s Mayor. Agran is being challenged by software engineer Maksim V. Egorov.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 1
District 1 includes the neighborhoods of Northwood, Stonegate, West Irvine, Eastwood, Northpark, and Orchard Hills.

The district is currently represented by Melinda Liu, who is running for re-election against two opponents: longtime resident and former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang, and local businessman John Park.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 5
District 5 includes the neighborhoods of Rancho San Joaquin, University Park, Westpark, and Woodbridge.

This district is currently represented by Betty Martinez Franco, who is seeking re-election. Franco will face four challengers: former Irvine City Councilmember Anthony Kuo; housing specialist Julie Glossbrenner; small business owner Steven Alves; and Iraq war veteran and cybersecurity manager Byron Salvatierra.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 6
District 6 includes the communities of UC Irvine, University Hills, and the Jamboree/MacArthur Corridor.

In November, voters will elect District 6’s first City Council representative.

Irvine Sustainability Commissioner Scotty Hong is running for the new Council seat. Hong has served as Chief Policy Advisor to the Mayor on a number of recent projects — including Irvine’s Urban Forest Master Plan, the launch of the new Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, the expansion of the City’s free non-polluting Irvine CONNECT shuttle service, and Irvine’s ramped-up rooftop solar and battery storage program.

The other candidate running is Kathleen Treseder, who has served as an at-large member of the City Council since 2022, and is now running for the new District 6 Council seat. Ironically, Treseder used her position on the Council to publicly oppose the City’s transition to district elections, unsuccessfully attempting to keep district elections off the 2024 ballot.

In the coming weeks, Irvine Community News & Views will provide more detailed information regarding the leading candidates running for Mayor and City Council.