Courtesy of NimbleGov.org
Laguna caps donations at $500. One company put $100,000 behind three incumbents, and nearly all of it has now been spent.
Dear Readers,
For more than a year we have argued that Laguna Beach elections are not a level playing field. Incumbents run with name recognition and a donor network built over years in office. That money gap is a strong reason we need term limits.
The latest campaign reports show how wide the gap has become.
The Gap Is Nearly Four to One
The candidates’ Form 460 reports, current through October 19, show:
• The three incumbents, Mark Orgill, Sue Kempf and Alex Rounaghi, have taken in $168,262 this year.
• The four challengers who filed full reports have taken in $72,193 combined. (Both totals include loans.)
• Alex Rounaghi alone has raised $78,484, more than all four challengers together.
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Add the outside money, and about $220,900 has been spent to elect the incumbents, nearly four times the $56,191 the challengers have spent.
$100,000 From a Single Company
On October 1, a new committee reported its first contribution. Its full name says it all: the Laguna Beach Good Leadership Committee Supporting Kempf, Rounaghi and Orgill for City Council 2026, Sponsored by Regency Properties LP and Affiliated Entities (FPPC ID 1497439).
Its Form 497 shows a single contribution of $100,000, received September 30 from Regency Properties, L.P., and affiliated entities, owner of the Surf & Sand Resort.
The committee’s Form 497, received by the City Clerk on October 1, 2026, showing the $100,000 contribution from Regency Properties, L.P. Source: City of Laguna Beach campaign disclosure records.
Since then, the committee has spent $99,950 of it, split almost to the penny: $33,316.67 for Rounaghi, $33,316.68 for Kempf and $33,316.65 for Orgill. That is more, per incumbent, than any challenger has spent all year. Police, firefighter and Democratic club PACs added up to about $4,100 more for each incumbent. No outside group has spent anything for a challenger.
The mailers are arriving. When they do, check who paid for them.
How is this possible under a $500 limit? The limit covers only candidates’ own campaigns. Under Citizens United, an independent committee can raise and spend unlimited amounts if it does not coordinate with the candidates. I am not alleging anyone broke that rule. But one large donor can still drown out hundreds of residents giving $100 or $250.
Same Donors, Two Campaigns
The incumbents’ support is also tied to the campaign against term limits. Several donors who gave to all three incumbents also gave to Citizens for Laguna’s Future, the committee formed to defeat Measure E.
No sitting councilmember supports term limits; every challenger at the Village Laguna forum did.
The network funding the incumbents is also funding the effort to keep them in office, and one company has now added six figures.
“Just Vote Them Out” Meets a War Chest
Opponents of term limits say, “If you don’t like them, just vote them out.” That only works on a level field. When incumbents outraise challengers better than two to one and one company spends nearly $100,000 more, a newcomer is running against a war chest. See James Danziger’s case for term limits: https://georgeweiss.substack.com/p/why-i-will-vote-yes-on-term-limits
Measure E does not ban anyone from serving. It allows two consecutive four-year terms, then a two-year break, after which a former member may run again. The break creates open seats where residents compete on ideas instead of money. Twenty-eight of Orange County’s 34 cities have term limits.
Follow the Money Before You Vote
Money only works if voters don’t know where it comes from. The best defense we have is sunlight.
• Look at the filings yourself. They are public records available from the City Clerk.
• When a glossy mailer arrives, check the “paid for by” line. Ask who is behind that committee and what they want from City Hall.
• Forward this Email to every Laguna Beach voter you know.
• Vote yes on Measure E and no to candidates that do not support it.
• Election Day is November 3, and many neighbors are voting now.
Thank you for reading, and vote for candidates that support term limits.
NimbleGov Team