The first round of election night results show Orange County DA Todd Spitzer way ahead his three challengers – and possibly on track to win the race outright without a runoff.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Today’s the Last Day to Vote in Pivotal Election Affecting OC’s Criminal Justice, Schools, Parks and Homelessness
“The only way you keep these people honest is to vote,” said Fred Smoller, a Chapman University professor who closely tracks local politics.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Judge Finds OC DA Todd Spitzer Violated Racial Bias Law – Could Be First in State for an Elected DA
A judge ruled Friday that Spitzer violated the Racial Justice Act when discussing whether to pursue the death penalty against a Black defendant.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Orange County Voter Guide: June 2022 Election
Tuesday is the last day to vote in the June primary election. Here is straightforward, reliable and free information from Voice of OC on the candidates and ballot measures.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Voters in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange and Tustin Are Picking a New County Rep. What Do the Candidates Say?
Here’s how the candidates answered key questions about what they’d do about challenges like homelessness, housing affordability and open space.
Posted inAnaheim
Voters in Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton and West Anaheim Are Picking a New County Rep. What Do the Candidates Say?
Here’s how the candidates answered key questions about what they’d do about challenges like homelessness, housing affordability and open space.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Voters in Costa Mesa, Irvine, Dana Point and Much of South County Are Picking a New County Rep. What Do the Candidates Say?
Here’s how the candidates answered key questions about what they’d do about challenges like homelessness, housing affordability and open space.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
The Future of Charter Schools in Orange County? Where OC Board of Education Candidates Stand
The future of charter school approvals hangs in the balance as voters decide who will run the county education board.
Posted inEducation
Will OC’s Top Education Official Get Ousted or Keep His Job? Here’s How Both Candidates Answer Key Questions
It’s the first time in at least 20 years that voters have a choice for this position, which usually goes unchallenged on the ballot. Here’s what the candidates have to say.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
How Do the OC DA Candidates See Safety, Justice Reform and the Death Penalty? Here Are Their Answers
All four district attorney candidates answered questions about public safety, evidence scandals, transparency, the death penalty, homelessness and whether they believe the last presidential election was stolen.
