On November 5, Aliso Viejo held their General Municipal Election. Mail ballots were also sent before Nov. 5 for Aliso Viejo citizens to vote. The General Municipal Elections are held on the first Tuesday of Nov. in even-numbered years.
City council members are elected for four-year terms and are elected by district. In 2024, District 1, 3, and 5 will be elected, and in 2026, District 2 and District 4 will be elected.
This year, District 1 candidates are Jennifer Engle and Tim Zandbergen. Engle is a construction project manager, and Zandbergen is a small business owner.
Engle has learned many skills through her work, which she says “will enable us to get our
budget under control, improve our biking infrastructure & public transit system.”
Zandbergen says, “I will stand for our resident’s freedoms, liberties, and to preserve and enhance Aliso Viejo’s wonderful quality of life.”
The winner of the District 1 election is Zandbergen, with 51 percent of the votes.
The only qualified candidate for District 3 is Richard Hurt, who has served on the Aliso Viejo council since 2020, and as mayor in 2023.
During Hurt’s time in office, he says, “We have supported and enhanced public safety, as evidenced by our continual ranking as one of the safest cities in California.”
Hurt was reelected as council member for District 3 and hopes to continue serving and bringing contributions to the city of Aliso Viejo.
The candidates for District 5 are Mike Munzing and Ross Chun. Munzing is Aliso Viejo’s current Mayor and a business owner. He has served on the City Council since 2013 and as Mayor in 2016 and 2020.
Munzing says, “I’ll work to preserve and enhance Aliso Viejo’s special quality of life by ensuring our residents are protected by the finest and fully-funded police and firefighting forces, keeping it one of the safest in the nation and a beautiful place to live.”
Chun is a director of development who has served on the council for 13 years. He has also served in different leadership roles to ensure Aliso Viejo’s voice is heard. He was mayor of Aliso Viejo in 2022.
Chun says, “I have brought creative solutions forward to solve our budget challenges and I am actively involved with businesses, educational institutions, community groups and senior communities, and mentor students from our local schools to help them develop their interests in public policy and volunteerism.”
For the election of District 5, Munzing was elected with 56 percent of the votes.
