The Brief

Early Returns in Orange County Supervisor Race Favor Traut and Shaw

Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut and OC Board of Education Trustee Tim Shaw lead in the 4th District primary.

In the June 2 primary for Orange County's 4th Supervisorial District, early returns indicate that Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut and Orange County Board of Education Trustee Tim Shaw are leading, positioning them to advance to the November general election. This open-seat race, triggered by the term limit of Supervisor Doug Chaffee, encompasses Fullerton, Buena Park, La Habra, Brea, Placentia, Stanton, and parts of Anaheim. Traut, a Democrat, secured endorsements from the Orange County Democratic Party and various labor organizations. His campaign reported raising approximately $225,000 in 2025. Shaw, a Republican, received the backing of the Orange County Republican Party. His campaign benefited from over $125,000 in independent spending by the National Association of Realtors. Despite Traut's higher fundraising, Shaw's substantial independent support has bolstered his campaign. Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung, who shifted from Democrat to No Party Preference, raised over $350,000 in 2025. However, he faced legal challenges when an Orange County Superior Court judge ordered changes to his ballot materials due to contested claims in his candidate statement. La Habra Mayor Rose Espinoza, self-funded with $150,000, also participated in the primary. The National Association of Realtors' independent spending in support of Shaw highlights the influence of external organizations in local elections. The upcoming general election will be pivotal in determining the district's representation on the Board of Supervisors.

ℹ️ Researched and summarized from public reporting. Check the sources below.

Sources

Early Returns Show Traut and Shaw Leading in Orange County Supervisor Race - Fullerton Observer — fullertonobserver.com
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors - June 16, 2026 — YouTube · Metro Cable 14
Santa Ana City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026 (English) — YouTube · City of Santa Ana
(6/9/2026) June 9, 2026 Irvine City Council Meeting and Special Joint Meeting — YouTube · Irvine Council Meetings
City Council Meeting - June 2, 2026 — YouTube · City of San Clemente
Design Review Board Meeting 5/28/26 — YouTube · City of Laguna Beach