COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL: Foley breaks up slate; Righeimer loses by about 1,400

Former Mayor Gary Monahan, Councilwoman Katrina Foley and Mayor Eric Bever were elected to Costa Mesa’s City Council in a tight race that wasn’t decided until early Wednesday.

Despite raising the most money and having strong backing from county Republican leaders, city newcomer Jim Righeimer came in fourth place, losing by about 1,400 votes to Bever who brought in 11,346.

Foley’s victory broke up the three-man slate — Monahan, Righeimer and Bever — that the Republican Party of Orange County supported, and in so doing prevented a council unanimously made up of Republican activists.

Monahan, who showed he still had plenty of residual support in the community, replaced outgoing Councilwoman and former Mayor Linda Dixon. Dixon decided not to run for reelection this year.

Although City Council seats are considered nonpartisan, some see the four Republican members of the council as an active majority that gained ground in this election.

Since leaving the City Council two years ago, Monahan has served on the Costa Mesa Sanitary District board and says he plans to keep his spot on the board while simultaneously serving on the council.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].