Political Landscape: Documentary chronicles Newport council candidate’s campaign

Newport Beach City Council candidate Roy Englebrecht is teaming up with a local filmmaker to document his campaign.

Englebrecht is working with producer and screenwriter Evan Jacobs as he makes a run for Newport’s District 4 seat.

“I’ve known Roy for nearly a decade and have watched his success in the fight promotions business and I have no doubt he will bring that same success to his council campaign,” Jacobs, a Fountain Valley resident, said in a statement. “You don’t run for a City Council seat every day, and most filmmakers don’t have this kind of friendship or access to a candidate that I have with Roy, so it became clear to me that we need to make a movie out of this. We are seeing a sea change in what people want from their elected leaders, and I believe Roy reflects a lot of that populism.”

The movie will follow Englebrecht through candidates forums, meet-and-greets with voters and Election Day activities. Jacobs said he plans to submit the film to several festivals.

“I am honored and humbled that Evan would give his time, energy and finances to capture what I have been experiencing for the past year. I have no doubt he will capture the magic and emotion of my campaign,” Englebrecht said in a statement.

Englebrecht is running against incumbent Kevin Muldoon to represent the district that includes the Eastbluff and Big Canyon neighborhoods.

Duffield offers reward for ID of sign thief

Newport Beach Mayor Marshall “Duffy” Duffield is offering a $500 reward to help solve a case of campaign sign theft that was caught on video.

Homeowners at 1000 Cliff Drive set up a security camera after reportedly losing yard signs during eight previous thefts. On Thursday afternoon, the camera captured what appears to be a young woman with long dark hair pulling two blue-and-white “Reelect Duffy” signs out of a hedge in the front yard.

Duffield is offering the reward for the identity of the culprit.

“This is a teachable moment for this young woman and her parents,” Duffield said in a statement. “I don’t want her prosecuted for theft, I just want my signs returned. I would also like to meet with her parents to discuss with them the values we all want to instill in our children.”

Duffield said anyone with information about the case can email him at duffyfornewport2018@gmail.com.

Indivisible OC48 picks its favorites in local races

Political activist group Indivisible OC 48 announced endorsements of Shayna Lathus for Huntington Beach City Council, Arlis Reynolds for Costa Mesa City Council and Toni Iseman for Laguna Beach City Council.

The group did not make any official selections for the Newport Beach or Fountain Valley councils but did list Newport candidates Joy Brenner, Tim Stoaks and Roy Englebrecht in its “Election Guide,” along with Katrina Foley, Manuel Chavez and Andrea Marr in Costa Mesa and Judie Mancuso and Ann Christoph in Laguna Beach.