Spending tops $2 million in Newport Beach election fights

More than $2 million has been donated this year to Newport Beach campaigns and political committees tied to City Council races and ballot measures, according to a Voice of OC review.

The spending centers on four council seats and four ballot initiatives, including Measure H, which would restrict how much new housing is zoned in the coastal Orange County city.

Voice of OC reported that developer Ken Picerne has put nearly $1.3 million into Newport Beach political efforts this year, making him the dominant disclosed funder in the city’s 2026 election spending.

Picerne is the only disclosed donor to the Coalition for Responsible Housing, a committee supporting Measures H, P, Q and R, according to Voice of OC. Measure H would limit new housing zoning in Newport Beach, while the other measures address city transparency, strict term limits and district-based voting.

Four of Newport Beach’s seven council seats are on the ballot in districts 1, 3, 4 and 6. Voice of OC reported that all Newport Beach voters may cast ballots in each council race that reaches the ballot, even though candidates are nominated by district.

Outside spending is also shaping the races. The Newport Beach Firefighters Association has spent around $138,000 to support Lauren Kleinman, Joe Stapleton and Erik Weigand, while the Newport Beach Police Association has spent around $60,000 to support the same candidates, according to Voice of OC.

Other committees have targeted candidates and measures. Voice of OC reported that the Orange County Republican Party has spent nearly $30,000 against Measure H as of Oct. 11, while the Alliance for Prosperity Political Action Committee has spent nearly $42,000 against the measure. The Alliance for Prosperity Committee also spent around $26,000 opposing Andrew Gerken and over $10,000 opposing Walter Stahr.

Candidate fundraising varies widely. Voice of OC reported that Walter Stahr raised over $147,000 and loaned his campaign $65,000, while Lauren Kleinman raised nearly $100,000 and Andrew Gerken raised over $109,000. Joe Stapleton raised over $75,000, Erik Weigand raised nearly $78,000, Tim Stoaks reported $2,700 and Tina Babajanians reported $0 in disclosed donations.

A judge ordered Newport Beach to proceed with a special election for three initiatives after city officials submitted them too late for the general election, according to Voice of OC.