Clark retakes narrow lead in Tustin mayoral race as counting continues

Former Tustin Mayor Letitia Clark moved back ahead of incumbent Austin Lumbard by 24 votes in results released Thursday evening, according to Voice of OC. Ballot counting continued, leaving the mayoral race unsettled.

The close contest comes amid local debate over surveillance technology, Voice of OC reported. The City Council unanimously approved an agreement giving police access to certain cameras at local schools.

According to Voice of OC, 18,012 votes had been counted as of 5 p.m. Thursday. Clark held 50.1% of the counted vote, compared with Lumbard’s 49.9%.

Clark served on the Tustin City Council from 2016 to 2024 and was mayor in 2021, the publication reported. Her latest lead marked another shift in the contest while ballots remained to be counted.

Lumbard has served since 2022 on the Orange County Fire Authority’s board, which has 25 directors, according to Voice of OC. His candidate statement listed endorsements from Don Barnes, head of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, as well as the Tustin PD and OC Firefighters.

Clark’s campaign website listed support from the Democratic Party of OC, the California Democratic Party, the OC Labor Federation and WAVE, according to Voice of OC.

On school surveillance, police access to camera feeds at Tustin Unified School District schools was expected by the end of the year, the publication reported. The council agreement covered certain cameras, rather than unrestricted access to all school cameras.

Thursday’s tally put Clark narrowly ahead, but the remaining count would determine whether that advantage held.