First-time candidate endorsed for council

Former state Sen. Tom Harman has endorsed Costa Mesa City Council candidate Tony Capitelli, according to a recent news release.

In it, Harman, a Republican whose 35th District included Costa Mesa, called Capitelli a “principled young leader who has the ability to collaborate and work with all sides to solve problems. Tony would be a great addition to the Costa Mesa City Council.”

Capitelli said in the release that he was “truly honored to have the support [of] such an effective leader. I hope to bring many of the values Sen. Harman brought to the state of California to the Costa Mesa City Council.”

The endorsement is Capitelli’s first from a current or former elected official.

Capitelli, a first-time candidate who lives near the Orange County Fairgrounds, works as a district representative for U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa). He is a graduate of Concordia University Irvine and Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa.

Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer, longtime resident Lee Ramos and school board Trustee Katrina Foley have all said they plan to run for the two open seats on the five-member council in November. After two four-year terms, Councilwoman Wendy Leece will be termed out. Righeimer is up for reelection after completing his first term.

— Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint