A majority of Republican county supervisors are breaking with their party and endorsing Newport Beach Councilman Kevin Muldoon, despite GOP efforts to coalesce around John Moorlach.
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 inCountywide
Rain Nearing OC Triggers Voluntary Evacuations for Canyon Residents Amid Flash Flooding Risk
Orange County officials are urging residents to evacuate from canyon communities ahead of heavy rain and possible flooding from Thursday night through Friday evening.
Posted inCountywide
Orange County Officials Disclose More CARES Act Spending, Offer First Public Update on Millions in Secret Contracts
Hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts have been signed privately by county staff under emergency powers delegated by county supervisors, according to the supervisors’ chairman.
Posted inCountywide
Special Supervisor Election Heats Up as GOP Condemns Two Republican Challengers
Republican Party leaders are publicly criticizing the two Republicans who refused to bow out for the GOP’s endorsed candidate, John Moorlach. They’re pushing back.
Posted inCountywide
OC Hospital With the Biggest Known Covid Safety Problems Got the Most Federal Relief Dollars Distributed by County
In a scathing September report, state health officials verified nurses’ accusations that virus patients at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital were being mixed with non-virus patients.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Supervisors Spent More Covid Response Money on Sheriff Staff Than Health Workers
Sheriff staff received $93 million in CARES Act relief money, compared with $58 million for county Health Care Agency staff, as of the latest data.
Posted inCountywide
OC Supervisor Candidate Accused of Smearing Woman Who Alleged Rape by Ex-Assemblyman
Trish Todd says her former boss, John Moorlach, tried to smear her reputation after she accused former Assemblyman Bill Brough of rape. Moorlach declined comment.
Posted inCountywide
Secret PR Contract Aims to Promote OC Politicians Amid Vaccine Rollout Woes
The $2 million PR campaign aims to build a “love affair” between the public and top county officials, according to an internal work plan obtained by Voice of OC.
Posted inCountywide
OC Sheriff Investigating Whether Employee Took Part in U.S. Capitol Riot
The off-duty employee – who has not been identified publicly – is cooperating with the probe, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Posted inCountywide
Fountain Valley Mayor Jumps into High-Stakes Supervisor Race
Michael Vo joins fellow Republicans John Moorlach, Mike Posey and Kevin Muldoon, and Democrat Katrina Foley. Voting is set to start next month.
