Spitzer said he plans to step up prosecutions of hate crimes, will meet regularly with communities that feel they’re treated unfairly by law enforcement, will not evaluate prosecutors based on conviction rates, and will hold police officers and prosecutors accountable.
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 inAnaheim, Politics & Elections, Santa Ana
The Latest on the Anaheim and Santa Ana Election Counts
An update of ballot counts Wednesday evening showed Anaheim and Santa Ana candidates retaining the leads they had in election night counts. At least 40 percent of ballots are still left to count across Orange County, which could take weeks to finish counting.
Posted inAnaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Countywide, Fullerton, Government, La Habra, Politics & Elections, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Spitzer Declares Victory in DA Run; At Least 40 Percent of Vote Left to Count
Spitzer was up by 5.8 percentage points in the latest ballot count. There was no word of a concession by his opponent, incumbent DA Tony Rackauckas.
Posted inAnaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Countywide, Fullerton, La Habra, Top Stories
North OC’s 4th District Supervisor Race [Latest Election Night Count]
The outcome will decide if Republicans keep all five seats on the county Board of Supervisors. Many ballots remain to be counted, and in close races the winner may not be known for days.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Santa Ana
Santa Ana’s High-Stakes Mayor and Council Race [Latest Election Night Count]
The outcome will decide control over Santa Ana’s city government.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Politics & Elections, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
OC District Attorney Face-Off [Latest Election Night Count]
The DA face-off, years in the making, pitted Rackauckas against his former heir apparent, Todd Spitzer.
Posted inAnaheim, Countywide, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Orange, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories, Tustin
Homelessness Legal Settlements Approved with Anaheim, Orange and Tustin
At least 575 new homeless shelter beds will be built in north Orange County under a series of court-enforceable settlement agreements reached in recent days between attorneys for homeless people and the cities of Anaheim, Orange and Tustin.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Housing & Homelessness, Politics & Elections, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Rackauckas and Spitzer Face Off Tuesday in DA Election Showdown
The closely-watched race pits the DA against his former heir apparent, in a face-off years in the making.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana: Two Main Factions Battle for Power in Tuesday’s Election
The Nov. 6 election comes as the city faces an ever-worsening financial crisis, pulling $10 million in one-time money this year to make ends meet.
Posted inAnaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Countywide, Fullerton, La Habra, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
North OC Supervisor Race Will Decide if Republicans Keep Full Board
Republican Tim Shaw and Democrat Doug Chaffee are facing off Tuesday, as Republicans look to keep five seats on the five-member county board.
