Dr. Andy Gerken on the Right to Vote: Newport Beach City Council 8/26 Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 27, 2026

Contact: Cyrus Vong, cyrus@gerkenfornewport.com

Newport Beach, CA – Dr. Andy Gerken responds in the aftermath of last night’s outrageous vote on our resident’s right to vote:

“Today the Judge cancelled the hearing and ordered the ballot measures on transparency, term limits and district elections be placed on the November 2026 ballot. This should end the unprecedented effort by the Newport Beach Council Majority including Lauren Kleiman and Erik Weigand to block residents' right to vote as provided in the California constitution. Their efforts were disgraceful, arrogant and contemptuous of tens of thousands of residents who signed the initiative petitions.

We must now demand accountability. How many taxpayer dollars were spent trying to limit the rights of taxpayers? Will the council finally get the message and abandon this expensive abuse of power? Who was responsible for this misguided decision?

I stand for the right of citizens to vote on important measures like growth, traffic, debt and policy as protected by our state Constitution and our City Charter. I look forward to debating Lauren Kleiman who has a different view on these issues in the upcoming campaign.”

Click below:

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Dr. Andy Gerken is a long-time resident of Newport Beach, a Harvard graduate, proud father of 3, physician, and a Newport Beach City Council candidate. He's on a mission to pave a path for community-focused leadership to ensure the City is led by common-sense policies.

For more details visit our website at gerkenfornewport.com.