The elections are coming up, and with them are the many digital advertisements, mailers, yard signs, campaign events, and candidate forums. Yet, one of the most important ways voters find out and make decisions about who to vote for is through endorsements. If a trusted public official, organization, or expert endorses a candidate or an incumbent, that can carry much weight and indicate where the candidates’ loyalties align.

The Fullerton Observer has been compiling these endorsements for our local candidates. We have also published a campaign finance list in our early September issue. Soon, we’ll be publishing interviews with almost all of the candidates. Be sure to keep checking this website and print issues for these updates.

This list is constantly being updated, so please check back here for updates. 

Fullerton City Council

District 1

Fred Jung (Incumbent)

Has not responded yet.

Matt Truxaw

Wendy Axelrad Kelly, school teacher: “I have lived in Fullerton for most of my life. I believe that the city of Fullerton deserves good government and good leadership in government. I have known the Truxaw family for many years. We met when Matt’s wife and I both served in board positions for the PTA at Fern Drive elementary school. I have been impressed by Matt’s commitment to honesty, safety and family values. It is these values which drives him into public service. His campaign is a grassroots effort to provide the best public service in North Orange County.”

Sharon Hollon, high school teacher: “Matt Truxaw is a Fullertonian with the best interests of the people of our city at heart. Matt and multiple generations of his family are deeply embedded in Orange County. Matt is running for city council simply to make our city even better, and he is beholden to no one. He’s a man who thinks broadly and cares deeply about what makes a city livable for everyone. A master swimmer, an author, and a supporter of the Arts, Matt Truxaw has my endorsement for city council.”

Laurel Mason Estrada, educator and lifelong Fullerton resident: “I am honored to endorse Matt Truxaw as Fullerton City Council representative for District 1. I have known Matt for more than 20 years. He is a caring individual who thinks through issues meaningfully and without regard to politics or popular stances. Matt has generational ties to Fullerton through his extended family. He has proudly raised his child in Fullerton alongside his wife, Chris, who is herself very involved in the community. With Matt, we will have a hard worker who takes time to understand the issues facing Fullerton. He will work well with all of his fellow council members to ensure that Fullerton remains a thriving community where people are eager to live, work, study, and spend recreational time.”

Emily Menaker, Pediatric/Early Intervention Occupational Therapist (Regional Center of Orange County): “I’ve dedicated my career to helping children and their families create positive opportunities. I believe Fullerton deserves a choice and a strong city council member who listens to, advocates for, and creates a better city that can thrive to support all of its residents. Matt cares deeply about the issues that impact our daily lives. He has been an activist all his life, and I am so excited about his opportunity to be an aggressive force for good!”

District 2

Nick Dunlap (Incumbent)

Has not responded yet.

Jan Flory

Has not responded yet.

District 4

Vivian “Kitty” Jaramillo

Women in Leadership endorses Kitty Jaramillo for Fullerton City Council: “Vivian “Kitty” Jaramillo, a lifelong Fullerton resident, former city commissioner, longtime community volunteer, and public servant, is ready to take her leadership to the next level by serving on the City Council. We at WIL could not be more excited about supporting her candidacy.” 

Elected Officials:
Lou Correa, Congressman CA 46
Josh Newman, CA State Senator
Tom Umberg, CA State Senator
Sharon Quirk-Silva, CA Assemblymember
Doug Chaffee, OC Supervisor
Natalie Rubalcava, Anaheim City Council Member
Ahmad Zahra, Dr., Fullerton City Council Member
Shana Charles, Dr., Fullerton City Council Member
Aaruni Thakur, Fullerton School District Trustee
Ruthi Hanchett, Fullerton School Board Member
Joanne Fawley, Fullerton Union High School District Trustee
Susan Sonne, Buena Park Mayor

Organizations
Build the Bench Project
Fullerton Municipal Employees Association (FMEF)
Orange County Employees Assocation (OCEA)
Orange County Labor Federation (OCLF)
Women for American Values and Ethics (WAVE)
Women in Leadership (WIL)

Community Leaders
John Phelps, Former Fullerton Mayor
Andre Charles, President, Democrats of North Orange County
Adrian Meza, Fullerton Parks & Rec Commissioner
Jan Flory, Former Fullerton Mayor
Linda Gardner, Former President, Democrats of North Orange County
Pam Keller, Former Fullerton Mayor Pro Tem
Arif Mansuri, Fullerton Planning Commissioner
Keiko Beatie
James Cho, Fullerton Infrastructure and Natural Resources Advisory Committee
(INRAC)
D.D. Dawson
Mike & Jeannette Dominguez
Paul & Karen Dudley
Vanessa Estrella
Sunnie Governale, Allocation Manager
Gordon Haag, DDS
Joey & Michelle Hernandez
Helen Higgins
Joe & Terri Juarez
Karen Lloreda
Bobby & Carmen Melendez
Walter Morris

John & Alex Quijano

Richard Ramirez, Dr.
Leah Rogers
Jesus Silva, Former Fullerton Mayor
Keiko Suda
Danny & Elise Torres
Jody Vallejo, Dr. USC Professor

Unions
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)

National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW)

Sheet Metal Workers Local 105

District Council of Ironworkers Local 433

Teamsters Local 42

Western States Carpenters Union

Jamie Valencia

Has not responded yet.

Scott Markowitz

Has not responded yet.

Linda Whitaker declined to share endorsements with the Fullerton observer: