TITO ORTIZ resigned his seat on the Huntington Beach City Council after less than six months.
By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune
Every election is important to the people affected by it, but one local contest is attracting attention across the United States.
MSNow, a left-leaning cable TV news network, and the Walt Street Journal, a right-leaning newspaper, have given coverage to the race, which puts four conservative MAGA candidates – including three incumbents – against four Democrats who call themselves the “Surf City Four.”
Of course, Huntington Beach was in the national news before the 2024 election gave supporters of President Donald Trump all seven seats on the council.
While Huntington Beach voters are mostly Republican, it’s not an overwhelming edge, about 52 percent to 48 percent (among supporters of the two major parties) with a strong history of nonpartisan environmentalism.
The council has raised eyebrows over several controversial actions, including a flag display policy that resulted in eliminating gay pride banners on city property – along with other examples of what was called “identity politics.”
Also raising a howl from some was an effort to restrict access of minors to library materials on sexual themes and a proposal to consider privatizing the city’s library system.
Observers have credited the backlash against mask-wearing and vaccination requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic with crystallizing what now could be called the “Make Huntington Beach Great Again” sentiment.
Tito Ortiz, the former professional wrestler, may be considered the pioneer of HB’s MAGA move. Elected in 2020, he openly doubted whether the coronavirus was real and refused to wear a mask in restaurants and even – for a while – at council meetings.
Frustrated among a mildly liberal council, he resigned his council seat and moved out of state after less than six month in office.
One might wonder what Mr. Ortiz thinks of what followed his departure.
