The 2024 Irvine elections were held on March 5, 2024, and November 5, 2024. In the March primary, voters approved Measure D, expanding the Irvine City Council from five to seven members and transitioning the city from at-large to by-district elections.
Measure D took effect in time for the November general election, creating four new council districts — three of which would elect representatives to four-year terms, and one short-term seat (District 1) to be contested again in 2026. The mayoralty was also on the ballot.
Municipal elections in California are officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot, but every major candidate was registered with or endorsed by a major political party.
Mayor
The 2024 mayoral election was held on November 5, 2024 and coincided with elections for city council. Incumbent mayor Farrah Khan, who was first sworn into office in 2020, could not seek re-election due to term limits. Councilmember Larry Agran defeated fellow councilmember Tammy Kim and was sworn in as Mayor on December 10, 2024.
Results
City council
District 1
District 1 covers north Irvine, including Orchard Hills, West Irvine, Northpark, Stonegate, and parts of Northwood. It was designated as a short-term seat, to be contested again in 2026.
The race was competitive, with five candidates — three of whom held or had held city commission seats. Key issues included traffic congestion on Jeffrey Road, preservation of open space in Orchard Hills, and fire risk management.
Candidates Melinda Liu (Democrat), City of Irvine commissioner and Attorney. John Park (Republican), business owner, Irvine Transportation Commissioner, and perennial candidate. Michelle Johnson (Republican), Irvine Planning Commissioner and business owner. Jackie Kan (Democrat), small business owner. Jeff Kitchen(Democrat), Systems engineer.
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2024 CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handMelinda Liu (D)$129,880$107,204$33,936Michelle Johnson (R)$115,614$118,227$0Jackie Kan (D)$58,064$56,980$0John Park (R)$52,374$52,407$0Jeff Kitchen (D)$8,368$8,229$0Source: City of Irvine
Results
Results by Neighborhood
Legend Neighborhoods won by Liu Neighborhoods won by Park Results by neighborhood Neighborhood Liu Park Johnson Kan Kitchen Margin Totalvotes Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Lower Peters Canyon (partial) 2,45232.77%2,38331.85%1,33517.84%85411.41%4596.13%690.92%7,483 Northwood (partial) /Northwood Point 1,90932.95%1,80231.11%1,08818.78%67211.60%3225.56%1071.84%5,793 Orchard Hills 75229.33%92736.15%41316.11%35413.81%1184.60%1756.83%2,564 Stonegate 78332.50%67528.02%43718.14%36315.07%1516.27%1084.48%2,409Total5,89632.31%5,78731.71%3,27417.76%2,24312.29%1,0505.75%1090.60%18,250
District 2
District 2 covers portions of central and southeastern Irvine, including Great Park, Portola Springs, Cypress Village, Woodbury, and areas adjacent to the Irvine Spectrum.
During the campaign, Irvine Watchdog reported that Yazdani had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April 2024, resulting in the discharge of approximately $900,000 in state and federal tax debt, as well as related fines. Subsequent reporting by the Orange Juice Blog detailed an ongoing civil lawsuit in which a creditor alleged that Yazdani had misrepresented her ownership role in a business when obtaining loans, and sought to have the debt declared non-dischargeable due to fraud and misappropriation claims. Yazdani filed a response in court denying all allegations. The reports drew media and community attention in the weeks leading up to the election.
Candidates William Go (Democrat), Irvine commissioner and businessowner. Jeff Starke (Democrat), City of Irvine finance commissioner. Gang Chen (Republican), architect, author and businessman. Parrisa Yazdani (Independent), City of Irvine commissioner, businesswoman. Mohamed Kothermydeen (Independent), IT service manager.
Withdrawn Alex Mohajer (Democrat), nonprofit executive and former candidate for the California State Senate in 2024. Mohajer ended his campaign in July 2024, announcing plans to relocate to Arizona to work on voter outreach efforts ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Fundraising Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate. Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2024 CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handWilliam Go (D)$92,491$76,574$15,918Jeff Starke (D)$34,087$39,336$0Alex Mohajer (D)$19,686$2,935$16,751Parissa Yazdani (NPP)$11,094$13,239$1,855Gang Chen (R)$5,428$17,922$0Mohamed Kothermydeen (NPP)no filingno filingno filingSource: City of Irvine
Results
Results by Neighborhood
Legend Neighborhoods won by Go Neighborhoods won by Yazdani Results by neighborhood Neighborhood Go Starke Chen Yazdani Kothermydeen Margin Totalvotes Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Cypress Village93931.88%91831.17%56719.25%39013.24%1314.45%210.71%2,945 Great Park 1,34632.90%80319.63%72017.60%1,03625.32%1864.55%3107.58%4,091 Spectrum (partial) 323.08%430.77%17.69%538.46%00%17.69%13 Portola Springs 1,74228.35%1,62026.36%1,45123.61%1,05317.67%2464.00%1221.99%6,145 Woodbury 1,32132.22%1,09026.59%88221.51%68116.61%1263.07%2315.52%4,100Total5,35130.94%4,43525.64%3,62120.94.76%3,19818.49%6893.98%9165.30%17,294
District 3
District 3 is located in central and north-central Irvine, including neighborhoods such as Walnut Village and portions of El Camino Real.
Candidates James Mai (Republican), Irvine commissioner and businessman. Tom Chomyn (Democrat), Community Services Commissioner. Jing Sun (Democrat), Irvine commissioner.
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2024 CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handJing Sun (D)$63,326$63,326$0Tom Chomyn (D)$32,283$33,833$90James Mai (R)$25,316$25,316$0Source: City of Irvine
Results
Results by Neighborhood
Legend Neighborhoods won by Mai Neighborhoods won by Chomyn Results by neighborhood Neighborhood Mai Chomyn Sun Margin Totalvotes Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % El Camino Real 2,85643.88%2,01430.95%1,63825.17%84212.94%6,508 Lower Peters Canyon (partial) 15744.99%8624.64%10630.37%5114.61%349 Northwood (partial) 3,26245.05%2,02928.02%1,95026.93%1,23317.03%7,241 Walnut 1,53243.76%1,00728.76%96227.48%525715.00%3,501 Westpark II 1,16141.72%70925.48%91332.81%2488.91%2,783Total8,96844.00%5,84528.68%5,56927.32%3,12315.32%20,382
District 4
District 4 encompasses southwestern Irvine, including Quail Hill, Turtle Rock, Turtle Ridge, portions of University Park, Irvine Spectrum, and open space areas bordering Laguna Canyon. Incumbent Mike Carroll, previously elected at-large in 2020, sought and won re-election to the district seat.
The contest was one of the most closely watched in the city, with Carroll facing sustainability commissioner Ayn Craciun. The campaign drew renewed scrutiny amid questions about Carroll’s use of his official city portrait on campaign materials,raising concerns about blurring the boundary between public duty and campaign activity.
This was not Carroll’s first such controversy. In late 2020, he came under fire for using approximately $70,000 from his staff budget on city mailers that critics argued served to promote his political profile rather than purely inform constituents. Following the backlash, the City Council in January 2021 approved new budget policies—by a 4–1 vote—that shifted oversight responsibilities to the city manager, aiming to increase transparency and accountability for council members' spending.
Candidates Mike Carroll (Republican), incumbent Irvine City Councilmember (at-large). Ayn Craciun (Democrat), nonprofit director and Chair of the Irvine Sustainability Commission.
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2024 CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAyn Craciun (D)$83,744$83,406$0Mike Carroll (R)$68,446$62,704$9,749Source: City of Irvine
Results
Results by Neighborhood
Legend Neighborhoods won by Carroll Neighborhoods won by Craciun Results by neighborhood Neighborhood Carroll Craciun Margin Totalvotes Votes % Votes % Votes % Laguna Altura 78657.50%58142.20%20515.00%1,367 Los Olivos 61558.13%44341.87%17216.26%1,058 Oak Creek 2,10958.13%1,51941.87%59016.26%3,628 Quail Hill 1,28249.59%1,30350.41%210.81%2,585 Shady Canyon 41180.43%10019.57%31160.86%511 Spectrum (partial) 98954.88%81345.12%1769.77%1,802 Turtle Ridge 1,06967.02%52632.98%54334.04%1,595 Turtle Rock 2,90658.37%2,07341.63%83316.73%4,979 University Park (partial) 8248.81%8651.19%42.38%168Total10,24957.93%7,44442.07%2,50215.85%17,693
Ballot measures Measure D
Measure D was a charter amendment placed before Irvine voters in the March 5, 2024 primary election. It proposed expanding the Irvine City Council from five to seven members, including the mayor and six councilmembers, and changing the electoral system so that the six councilmembers would be elected by individual districts rather than at large. The measure passed with approximately 59.8 percent of the vote.
The measure stipulates that if a councilmember elected at large—but residing in District 5 or District 6—vacates their seat, the position must be filled through a by‑district special municipal election (rather than appointment). Following the election of Councilmember Larry Agran to mayor a special election was held on April 15, 2025, to fill the remainder of his term for District 5.
School Boards
The city of Irvine is served by several school districts, including the Irvine Unified School District, Tustin Unified School District, Santa Ana Unified School District, and the South Orange County Community College District. School board elections held in Irvine are listed below.
Irvine Unified School District Area 1
The general election for IUSD Area 1 was cancelled, with incumbent Lauren Brooks securing a four year term.
Area 3
The general election for IUSD Area 3 was cancelled, with incumbent Cyril Yu securing a four year term.
Area 5
The general election for IUSD Area 5 was cancelled, with Connie Stone securing a four year term after incumbent Paul Bakota opted not to run for re-election.
Tustin Unified School District
Area 2
Incumbent James Laird opted to not run for re-election. District 2 covers portions of Northpark and Orchard Hills in Irvine. Kathy Copeland was elected over Bill Pevehouse
South Orange County Community College District
Area 1
Incumbent Carolyn Inmon was re-elected to a four year term ending in 2028. Area 1 covers much of south west Irvine, including UCI, Woodbridge and University Park. Inmon defeated Marlene Bronson and perennial candidate Katherine Daigle.
Area 3
Incumbent Barbara Jay opted to not run for re-election. Area 3 covers one neighborhood within Turtle Ridge in Irvine. Lisa Bartlett defeated Rocky Cifone to serve a full term of four years on the South Orange County Community College District.
Area 6
Incumbent Ryan Dack was re-elected to a full four year term ending in 2028. Area 6 covers the Irvine Spectrum neighborhoods, Great Park neighborhoods, Woodbury, Oak Creek, and portions of Northwood. Dack defeated Michael Franklin.
Notes
References