Who are the candidates for Mayor?
This year there are two candidates for Mayor. Here are their Candidate Statements:
Mike Buley
Mike Buley, age 60, currently serves as the Costa Mesa City Councilmember representing District 1. He is an attorney and partner at Buley Vasin APC, a Newport Beach law firm that focuses on civil litigation. Prior to serving on the City Council, he was active in local community and civic affairs and has built his career representing businesses and individuals in legal disputes.
Buley was elected to the City Council in 2022 and has served for the past two years. During his tenure, he has participated in decisions involving public safety, development, homelessness, city infrastructure, and land-use planning. His campaign platform emphasizes effective local governance, economic development, preservation of neighborhood character, public safety, and continued efforts to address homelessness.
He has received endorsements from Councilmember Jeff Pettis and several elected officials throughout Orange County. Buley has advocated for keeping the City focused on local issues and core municipal services, including public safety, streets, parks, and permitting.
Buley supports the continued use of Flock public safety cameras and has opposed efforts to update the Fairview Park Master Plan, arguing that the existing plan should remain in place.
His website is https://www.buley4costamesa.com/
Loren Gameros
Loren Gameros, age 55, has served on the Costa Mesa City Council since 2020, representing District 2. His campaign emphasizes a "boots on the ground" approach to leadership, focusing on accessibility, neighborhood engagement, and practical solutions to local issues. He teaches building inspection to apprentices and journeymen for the Operating Engineers Training Trust Local 12.
During his time on the City Council, Gameros supported the opening of Costa Mesa's permanent Bridge Shelter in 2021, increasing City staffing levels to improve public services in 2022, and making Luke Davis Field available for public use in 2023.
According to his campaign website, his platform focuses on addressing homelessness through housing and support services, investing in City employees and municipal services, expanding recreational opportunities for families, and improving pedestrian safety. On development issues, Gameros advocates for responsible growth that benefits existing residents through safer infrastructure, preservation of parks and recreational facilities, and careful review of new projects to ensure they enhance neighborhoods and maintain quality of life.
Critics of Gameros argue that his record does not fully reflect the broad community impact described in his campaign messaging. They point to highly visible efforts such as the removal of several large rocks from Paularino Park and his support for a new traffic signal at Fairview Road and Belfast Avenue, a project that primarily benefits the Halecrest neighborhood where he resides. Some residents in other parts of District 2, including Mesa North, have expressed concerns that their neighborhoods have not received the same level of attention.
As Mesa North residents, we have not personally observed the neighborhood-level engagement that Gameros describes in his "boots on the ground" approach. He has not supported the removal of the fly field from Fairview Park, but has shown support for its move to the Eastside of the park near the model railroad.
His website is https://www.loren4mayor.com/