Political Landscape: 3 Costa Mesa council candidates plan events

Three candidates for Costa Mesa City Council plan to host events in the city.

Newly appointed Parks and Recreation Commissioner Julie Mercurio, an Eastside resident and moderator of the Costa Mesa Public Square Facebook page, will have a fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Skosh Monahan’s, 2000 Newport Blvd.

Former Councilman Jay Humphrey will have a picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 9 at the Fairview Park pavilion off the park’s Placentia Avenue parking lot. Humphrey is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. RSVPs are requested by calling (714) 287-0558 or emailing jvhumphrey@att.net.

Councilwoman Sandy Genis, who is up for reelection, will hold a fundraising event from 2 to 4 p.m. July 10 in the atrium of an office building at 1503 South Coast Drive.

Other declared candidates for November’s council election are Mayor Steve Mensinger, who kicked off his reelection campaign earlier this month, Eastside resident Lee Ramos, who was appointed to the Senior Commission this month, Mesa Verde resident John Stephens and State Streets resident Al Melone.

Former Mayor Allan Mansoor, who also served in the state Assembly, also has filed election paperwork but has not officially declared his candidacy.

Councilman Gary Monahan is termed out.

Moorlach schedules reelection event

State Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) is planning a reelection event for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 13 at the Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach.

Chris Epting, an Orange County history book author, will be a guest speaker.

RSVPs are requested by calling David Mansdoerfer at (714) 824-0256 or emailing david@moorlachforsenate.com.

Moorlach is running against Ari Grayson, a Democrat from Laguna Beach, in the November election for the 37th District state Senate seat.