Ex-Officeholders Join Would-Bes in City Races

Once-prominent political figures in Irvine and Yorba Linda are trying for political comebacks this November, joining a roster of new faces who are seeking council seats in 29 cities across Orange County.

Friday was the initial deadline for city council candidates to submit nominating papers, but many communities extended the deadline to Wednesday in races where an incumbent did not seek reelection.

More than a dozen veteran council members are stepping down this year, including at least two members each of councils in Newport Beach, Buena Park, Cypress and Costa Mesa. In some cases, the officials are barred from running because of term-limit laws.

In Yorba Linda, 24-year council veteran Henry W. Wedaa is seeking a council seat office just two years after he retired. Wedaa, 72, whose campaign letterhead reads “Hank’s back,” said he is returning to politics because he contends the current council is degrading the quality of life in Yorba Linda.

Wedda will face council incumbents Barbara Kiley, Mark Schwing and Daniel T. Welch as well as residents Robert Meador, Christopher Hall, Jack Parra and Todd Tande, who are all vying for three open seats.

In Irvine, former mayor Sally Anne Sheridan is making another run for the job she vacated in 1992.

Larry Agran, the city’s outspoken former mayor and nationally known political reform advocate, said he gave “careful thought” to running but ultimately decided against it.

Instead, Agran released a statement Friday saying he will continue to focus his efforts on opposing construction of a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine Corp Air Station. Agran, who was defeated for reelection in 1990, has not sought a political office since 1992, when he ran a long-shot campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Sheridan will face Councilwoman Christina L. Shea and attorney Paul Johnson.

In Stanton, 12-year councilman Sal Sapien surprised colleagues by not standing for reelection. Longtime Westminster Mayor Charles V. Smith is giving up his seat to run for the Board of Supervisors, leaving that post up for grabs.

Voters in several cities including La Palma, Laguna Niguel, Buena Park, Orange and Yorba Linda will also decide in November whether to impose term limits on council members. A few cities including Newport Beach and Seal Beach already have limits.

In many cities, council candidates have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to file petitions seeking office.

Also contributing to this story were Times correspondents Bill Billiter, Kimberly Brower, Shelby Grad, Jeff Kass, Mimi Ko Cruz, Enrique Lavin, Julie Fate Sullivan and Lesley Wright.