Local Races Matter

By: Mayor Will O’Neill

By the time you read this, the field of candidates for the City Council and School Board races here in Newport Beach will likely be set. I encourage you to take the time to get to know the candidates as we head into the November 5, 2024 election.

As a brief reminder, we elect our City Council Members using a hybrid system. A candidate must live in one of seven council districts but campaigns city-wide. This system has been in place since the 1950s.  

Basically, we are a city of villages.  Corona del Mar and Newport Coast border each other, but are intrinsically different.  So are Balboa Island, the Balboa Peninsula, Dover Shores, Eastbluff, and so many other villages.  We want our Council Members to live throughout the city, but also want each of them to be accountable to the entire city.  Hence, the hybrid approach.

Also, we have term limits for our City Council Members, who can each serve a maximum of two four-year terms in a row. This year, Council Member Brad Avery and I have reached our eighth and final years, which means that we will have two open seats on the City Council. The third seat up for election is currently occupied by Council Member Noah Blom, who has the option to run for re-election.

National news – and perhaps even local coffee shops – will be focused on the Presidential race.  But I strongly encourage you to take time to focus on races that will have direct impacts on your quality of life.  Frankly, there are few races more consequential for you and your families than City Council or local School Board races.  

After eight years on City Council and two terms as Mayor, trust me on that one!

Mayor Will O’Neill is serving his second term as Mayor of Newport Beach, having previously served in 2020

Follow on IG @realwilloneill