John Park narrowly leads Irvine council race in preliminary results

John Park held a roughly 100-vote lead over incumbent Melinda Liu in Irvine’s District 1 City Council race in preliminary results Wednesday, according to Voice of OC. Mayor Larry Agran and incumbent councilmembers Betty Martinez Franco and Kathleen Treseder also led their races.

The races will determine city leadership as Irvine faces a widening structural budget deficit and calls for independent financial oversight. A proposal to replace Oak Creek Golf Club with housing and community facilities is also drawing debate among residents.

According to Voice of OC’s account of preliminary tallies from the OC Registrar of Voters, Park had about 39.5% of the District 1 vote, compared with Liu’s 38.5%. Former Mayor Sukhee Kang had 22%, with more than 10,000 votes counted in the race as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Agran led the mayoral contest with about 69.5% against software engineer Maksim Egorov’s 30.5%. More than 57,000 votes had been tallied, Voice of OC reported.

In District 5, Martinez Franco led the five-candidate field with about 34.2%. Former Councilmember Anthony Kuo had about 26%, business owner Steven Alves about 25.5%, cybersecurity manager Bryon Salvatierra 9% and housing specialist Julie Glossbrenner 5.3%. More than 11,000 votes had been counted.

Treseder held about 57% in District 6, while Irvine sustainability commissioner Scotty Hong had 43%. The preliminary tally included more than 6,000 votes, according to Voice of OC.

The city’s annual structural deficit is projected to reach $37 million by July 1, 2028, the publication reported. It could grow to $47 million by the decade’s end unless spending slows. Budget concerns have brought calls for an independent auditor, although city leaders recently sidestepped an examination of some earlier spending decisions.

Another issue facing the city is the Irvine Company’s proposal for the 281-acre Oak Creek Golf Club. According to Voice of OC, the plan could replace the golf course with 3,100 homes, a school, parks and other community spaces.