Costa Mesa Youth Host District 4 Candidate Forum

Local students questioned District 4 and school board candidates on immigration and housing policy.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a municipal building facade and podium, evoking local civic engagement and policy discourse. — Candidates for Costa Mesa's District 4 and school board seats addressed local youth Tuesday at a forum on housing and immigration policy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local government increase efforts to protect residents from federal immigration enforcement actions?

More than 100 residents gathered at the Norma Hertzog Community Center on Tuesday for a candidate forum hosted by Save Our Youth. Students led a discussion on immigration enforcement and housing affordability with several candidates seeking District 4 and school board seats.

Why it matters

The forum provided a platform for local youth to engage directly with representatives regarding the most pressing challenges facing their community. It highlighted how young residents are prioritizing policy-driven solutions to civic issues.

The city has successfully placed 530 people into housing over the past seven years. More than 100 District 4 residents attended the forum to evaluate candidates on housing and immigration stances.

The players

Save Our Youth

This is a local organization dedicated to providing resources and advocacy opportunities for young people within the community.

Angely Andrade Vallarta

She is a candidate for local office who raised concerns regarding recent immigration enforcement activities during the public forum.

Andy Godinez

He is a candidate participating in the election who discussed specific localized issues affecting the Shalimar neighborhood.

The details

Candidates Angely Andrade Vallarta, Fisher Derderian, Mike Buley, Loren Gameros, and Andy Godinez participated in the session while Grace Dañino-Hickok was absent. Student ambassadors moderated the event, pressing the panel on local concerns including the Shalimar neighborhood and recent reports of immigration enforcement.

The candidate forum occurred on Tuesday at the Norma Hertzog Community Center.
A reported ICE arrest took place in District 4 on the morning of October 29, 2026.
The city has assisted 530 individuals with housing placement over the past seven years.

Political Context

Opponents of current municipal strategies often argue that the city's homelessness and housing assistance program requires more aggressive policy intervention. Critics highlight that while 530 placements have occurred, persistent neighborhood concerns regarding housing affordability remain unresolved.

Residents should expect ongoing debates regarding housing and immigration to feature heavily in the upcoming election cycle. These policy discussions directly inform how municipal resources will be allocated toward local infrastructure and support services in the coming years.

The takeaway

Engaging in student-led forums offers residents a unique opportunity to evaluate how candidates plan to address long-term community challenges like housing. Voters can use these insights to prioritize candidates who offer clear, actionable policy platforms.