District 1 and District 4 voters can now sign; petition circulation continues through January 14, 2027

By Press Release from Committees to Recall Fred Jung and Jamie Valencia on September 24, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

The petitions seeking the recall of Mayor Fred Jung, representing District 1, and Councilmember Jamie Valencia, representing District 4, have been approved for circulation. The approval begins the signature-gathering phase of the two separate recall efforts.

Registered voters who live in District 1 may sign the petition recalling Jung, while registered voters who live in District 4 may sign the petition recalling Valencia. Petition circulation continues through January 14, 2027. Each recall must independently collect the legally required number of valid signatures–about 3,500 from registered voters in each district before it can move forward in the election process. Residents can use the city’s online map to determine their district: https://www.cityoffullerton.com/government/departments/city-clerk/elections/find-my-district

“The petitions are approved, and residents can now participate directly in this democratic process,” a recall representative said. “Signing a petition does not remove anyone from office. It determines whether the recall question will be placed before voters, who ultimately make the decision via a special election.”

Why Organizers Initiated the Recall of Fred Jung, who has served as Mayor of Fullerton for four of the last six years

The Jung recall committee says its concerns are not based on a single vote or policy disagreement, but on what they describe as a broader pattern of power consolidation and fiscal mismanagement involving Fullerton’s finances and public trust. Among the issues cited by organizers are:

• Fullerton’s Worsening Budget Deficit over the last six years. City staff projected a $13.7 million FY 2026–27 deficit before reductions were identified. In August, Jung supported the most severe package of cuts to city services presented to the City Council, including leaving six vacant police positions and the vacant Fire Marshal position unfunded, reducing library staffing, and eliminating funding for library books.

• Deteriorating infrastructure. Fullerton’s crumbling roads reflect a failure to adequately invest in the basic public assets residents rely on every day. Recall organizers argue that maintaining the infrastructure taxpayers already pay for should be one of City Hall’s most basic responsibilities.

• Deep discounts on public land for donors and special interests. Recall organizers object to city agreements involving public property that provide exceptionally favorable terms to Jung’s political supporters. These include a below-market lease of city-owned property near the train station to a major Jung donor (Tony Bushala) and a below-market sale of public land to a donor-connected church. Organizers argue that these decisions deserve particular scrutiny while Fullerton faces fiscal and infrastructure pressures.

• Repeatedly violating the City’s mayoral rotation policy and consolidating power. Jung has served as mayor four times during six years on the Council in violation of the city’s mayoral rotation policy, even nominating himself in 2024.Residents argue that his repeated selection has concentrated the mayorship in District 1 while other districts have been excluded from holding this position.

• Ending Walk on Wilshire despite widespread public support. Organizers cite Jung’s role in ending the Walk on Wilshire pedestrian program despite overwhelming public support. They contrast that decision with favorable treatment they say has been afforded to politically connected interests using public property.

• Favoring donors for lucrative public contracts. During deliberations over the new 10-year trash hauling contract worth tens of millions of dollars, Jung repeatedly motioned to move Valley Vista Services’ proposal to final consideration, despite the company being ranked sixth place during the initial evaluation. Valley Vista Services is owned by David Perez, who donated $15,000 to Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform, a political action committee (PAC) run by Tony Bushala. Tony Bushala donated to Jung’s city council and Board of Supervisors campaigns.

• False and Misleading Claims about his Record. When Jung ran for Orange County Supervisor in 2026, he used his record as Fullerton mayor as a central credential for higher office. In his official ballot materials, Jung claimed that he had “turned around a $9 million deficit into a balanced budget” and had “built 9 new parks.” He also sought to appear on the ballot as “Fullerton Mayor/Business Owner.” Orange County Superior Court challenged those claims. The evidence showed that Fullerton continued to operate with deficit spending and declining reserves, and the judge specifically rejected the reasoning offered to support Jung’s balanced-budget claim. The parks claim also did not withstand review, as Jung did not build 9 new parks. Ultimately, the claims that Jung balanced Fullerton’s budget and built nine new parks were ordered removed from his candidate statement. The court also found that Jung’s designation as a “Business Owner” was not consistent with his primary occupation. His ballot designation was changed to “Businessman.” Jung subsequently came in last in the OC Supervisors primary, and came in third out of four candidates in Fullerton.

• Concerns about intimidation and equal participation. Organizers have also raised concerns after residents with Korean surnames who signed the intention to recall reported visits to their homes from a person identifying himself as working for Jung and asking them to reconsider. Reporting indicated that five Korean-surnamed proponents were approached, while nearby non-Korean-surnamed proponents said they were not.

• Restricting the Free Press and Public Access to Information. Jung supported the 2025 policy removing nongovernmental publications—including the Fullerton Observer and Cal State Fullerton’s student-run Daily Titan—from City Hall and other city facilities, with limited distribution at the public library. When the Council reconsidered the policy after public criticism, Jung voted with Valencia and Dunlap to keep the restrictions in place. Recall organizers argue that making independent local journalism less accessible in the very buildings where the government conducts the public’s business undermines transparency and accountability.

Why Organizers Initiated the Recall of Jamie Valencia

The Valencia recall committee says its central concern is whether District 4 is receiving an independent voice on the City Council. Organizers point to Valencia’s voting record, her relationship with Jung and decisions affecting South Fullerton and the city as a whole. Among the issues they cite are:

• A pattern of political alignment with Jung rather than independent representation for District 4. Recall organizers argue that Valencia’s relationship with Jung goes beyond occasionally voting the same way. Jung contributed $5,000 to Valencia’s 2024 City Council campaign, making him one of her largest individual political contributors. Since taking office, Valencia has repeatedly joined Jung on consequential Council decisions. Valencia has too often functioned as a reliable vote for Jung and the Council majority rather than independently questioning proposals and advocating for District 4.

• Supporting Jung’s repeated mayoral appointment despite overwhelming public opposition. In December 2025, after approximately 75 residents came to City Hall and all but one of the speakers reportedly called for a fair rotation of the mayor position in accordance with city policy, Valencia nominated Jung for mayor yet again. Valencia, Jung and Dunlap then provided the three votes that gave Jung his fourth term as mayor in six years. Proponents cite this as just one example of Valencia disregarding public input and reinforcing the existing Council majority voting bloc.

• Deep discounts on Public land and donor-connected agreements. Like Jung, Valencia supported public-property agreements—via below-market leases and sale of public property— that recall organizers contend provided unusually favorable terms to her campaign donors and politically connected interests.

• Ending Walk on Wilshire despite widespread public support. Like Jung, Valencia voted to end the Walk on Wilshire pedestrian program despite overwhelming public support.

• Support for families impacted by recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. Organizers cite Valencia’s opposition to providing support for residents impacted by recent ICE activities, an issue of particular concern to residents in her district. Dozens of her own constituents spoke in favor of this support, but Valencia declined to support the motion and did not support a resolution affirming Fullerton’s commitment to public safety and inclusivity.

• Deep cuts to budget and city services. Valencia made the motion for the city to adopt the most stringent package of August 2026 budget reductions, supported by Jung and Dunlap, which included leaving vacant police and Fire Marshal positions unfunded, reducing library staffing, eliminating library-book funding and reducing other city services that residents rely on.

• Favoring donors for lucrative public contracts. Like Jung, Valencia voted to move Valley Vista Services’ trash hauling proposal to final consideration, despite the company being ranked sixth place during the initial evaluation. Valley Vista Services is owned by David Perez, who donated $15,000 to Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform, a PAC run by Tony Bushala. Tony Bushala donated to Valencia’s city council campaign.

• Attempts to limit public participation. Valencia led efforts to reduce public comment time during council meetings.

• Lack of preparation and understanding. Organizers say Valencia has frequently failed to prepare for council meetings. Her lack of preparation has resulted in erroneous votes on consequential issues and an inability to meaningfully contribute to council deliberations.

Why the Recalls Matter Citywide

Only District 1 voters can sign the Jung petition, and only District 4 voters can sign the Valencia petition. But the decisions at hand are not confined to those districts. Every councilmember votes on the same citywide budget, police and fire services, roads and infrastructure, parks and libraries, public land, contracts, development, and policies that affect every Fullerton resident. Three votes constitute a Council majority, which means political alliances among councilmembers can and currently are determining policy for the entire city.

The mayor also represents Fullerton in the public eye and determines the final agenda for city council consideration. That is why what happens in Districts 1 and 4 matters in Districts 2, 3 and 5 as well. Residents of Districts 2, 3 and 5 therefore cannot sign either petition, but they can participate in the broader process by volunteering, helping with outreach, donating to a recall committee, attending events, or expressing their own views about the recalls.

Petition Privacy – Your Signature is Not Public Record

California law provides strict privacy protections for recall petitions. Your signature on a recall petition is not a public record. California law protects recall petitions from general public disclosure, and state law prohibits using the list of petition signatures for purposes other than the petition-qualification process, subject to limited statutory review procedures. Your information is submitted to election officials so they can verify that you are an eligible registered voter.

How to Participate

District 1 — Recall Fred Jung: https://www.recalljung.com/

District 4 — Recall Jamie Valencia: https://www.recallvalencia.com/

Residents do not have to live in District 1 or 4 to make a donation to the recall efforts. Donation and volunteer information can be found at the respective recall websites.

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