Endorsements
“I am so proud and honored to be able to support my dear friend Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. I’ve known Kelly for nearly 15 years, and she has always been a beacon of integrity, honesty, and dedication to public service. It has been so inspiring watching her apply her talents in recent years to local Costa Mesa issues, including her tremendous work as Parks Commissioner where she created the City’s first framework for park investments. As a mother and someone who is so deeply invested in making her local community better, Kelly Brown will make an outstanding City Councilperson.”
Government Leaders
Dave Min
U.S. Representative, California’s 47th Congressional District
“I’m proud to support Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. Kelly is a thoughtful and persistent problem solver who knows how to get things done. Her inspired vision for a thriving and connected Costa Mesa, combined with her principled approach to public engagement and transparency, will serve our city well. Join me in supporting Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa’s District 5!”
Arlis Reynolds
Costa Mesa City Council Member (D5)
“I’m proud to support Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. During her time on PACS, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to preserving our public spaces, strengthening community programming, and ensuring thoughtful stewardship of city resources. Kelly leads with integrity, listens carefully to residents, and will put the long-term interests of Costa Mesa families first.”
Manuel Chavez
Costa Mesa City Council Member (D4)
Alisa Ochoa
Chair, Costa Mesa Arts Commission
“Kelly understands that Costa Mesa is more than a place — it is a community built on care, creativity, and shared values. That is why I am proud to endorse Kelly Brown for City Council.
As Chair of the PACS Commission, she has proven herself to be a thoughtful listener, skilled collaborator, and responsive leader totally attuned to our community. Working alongside Kelly on public arts initiatives, including sidewalk poetry in our parks, I have seen her commitment to a vibrant Costa Mesa where everyone feels they belong. Kelly is not a politician; she is practical and 100% real — qualities that make her the kind of leader our city can trust and feel proud to support.”
“I enthusiastically endorse Kelly Brown for City Council, District 5. As chair of PACS, Kelly has demonstrated effective leadership, strong collaboration with fellow commissioners and city staff, and a proven commitment to promoting citizen engagement. She advances the values of Costa Mesa and addresses community issues with thoughtful solutions and grace. Kelly’s experience and integrity make her the right choice for District 5.”
Brandice Leger
Commissioner, Parks and Community Services Commission
Shayanne Wright
Vice Chair, Parks and Community Services Commission
Cristian Garcia-Arcos
Commissioner, Parks and Community Services Commission
Andrea Marr, PhD
Costa Mesa City Council Member (D3)
Robert Garcia
U.S. Representative, California’s 42nd Congressional District
Katrina Foley
Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors
Elizabeth Dorn-Parker
Commissioner, Parks and Community Services Commission
Angely Vallarta
Planning Commissioner and College Park Mom
Loren Gameros
Costa Mesa City Council Member (D2)
Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman, 73rd District
Community Leaders
Lauren Mahlmeister
Costa Mesa Resident and PTA Mom
“I’m excited to support Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. Kelly’s commitment to building a thriving Costa Mesa community—particularly through the advancement of our parks and arts—is incredibly important to me and my family. Her education, experience, passion, and deep commitment to our community will make her an extraordinary City Councilmember for District 5!”
Betsy Densmore
Costa Mesa Resident and District 5 Neighbor
“Before I knew Kelly personally, I was impressed with her skill at leading the Parks & Recreation Commission. She was gracious, very well informed and prioritized matters that citizens really cared about. In person, I also discovered that she is a master of “appreciative inquiry”—always listening, always interested in other views and very committed to bringing people together for the best possible outcomes. She will be a very effective city council member.”
David Martinez
CMHS Graduate and Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner
“Kelly is a dedicated public servant and an amazing community leader. Her work on the Parks Commission shows just how passionate she is about serving the residents of Costa Mesa, and I’m sure she will bring that and more as my next Councilmember. I’m happy to endorse Kelly Brown for City Council.”
Eric Jimenez
Costa Mesa Resident and Community Leader
“From my first interaction with Kelly, I immediately had a strong sense of the kind of leader she is: genuine, thoughtful, detail-oriented, and bold. She listens before she speaks and has earned the respect and support of neighbors, professors, civic leaders, creatives, and young people alike.
I especially appreciate that her commitment to Costa Mesa extends beyond the communities most familiar to her. Kelly understands that many residents—including immigrant families, multilingual households, and people who may feel disconnected from civic spaces—face real barriers to being heard and accessing opportunity. She brings the humility to listen, the awareness to recognize those inequities, and the conviction to advocate for every resident.
Costa Mesa needs leaders who represent everyone, not just those already closest to power or participation. I look forward to seeing Kelly’s thoughtful, creative, and energetic leadership flourish as she serves District 5.”
Flo Martin
Costa Mesa Resident
“Kelly Brown is the real deal! I recently made public comments at the Parks and Community Services Commission, which Kelly chairs, and was so very impressed with her knowledge of current Costa Mesa concerns. Kelly listens! Kelly researches! Kelly is smart! Kelly's background in public service says it all: Kelly is the bestest ever choice for City Council ever.”
Jennifer Thomas
Costa Mesa Resident
“I'm voting for Kelly Brown for City Council because Kelly is honest, ethical, hardworking and she is the best candidate to represent our district. Her experience on the Parks Commission is what we need on city council. I know she will make informed decisions that are in the best interest of our district and the city.”
Shawn Wehan
Costa Mesa Resident and Founder of Songs in the Canyon
“Kelly cares deeply about how our community functions, and it shows in the way that she approaches challenges. She shows up with thoughtfulness, generosity, and a genuine desire to help Costa Mesa thrive. Not only does Kelly bring real vision and heart to decision making, but she backs it with focused follow‑through. She has already made a lasting impact through her volunteer and professional roles throughout our city, and I have no doubt that she will continue to do so as a councilmember. Kelly Brown is exactly the kind of steady, community‑minded leader we need on the Costa Mesa City Council.”
Ralph Taboada
Costa Mesa Resident and FIPAC Member
I support Kelly Brown for City Council representing District 5. Kelly is fully invested in Costa Mesa, choosing to raise her family here and as Chair of the Parks and Community Services Commission (PACS). I believe she leads by example. She is thoughtful while being proactive, she wants and encourages public input, is action oriented and just plainly, wants to get stuff done.
While on the PACS Commission Kelly has advocated for greater park access, additional community gardens, regular park ranger reports, and improved city outreach and transparency. She was also the driving force behind PACS developing a ‘values’ guide to help the commission and staff prioritize park projects.
Kelly knows the issues facing the city: affordable housing and growth, public safety, city budgets, parks and open space to name a few. She will seek out residents opinions and work diligently on these issues.
Faith Leaders
Rev. Sadie Cullumber
Senior Pastor, Harbor Christian Church
“When I think about the kind of leadership our world is in need of at this tumultuous time, I think of Kelly Brown. She’s a visionary. She’s a mother. She’s a neighbor. She’s a brilliant problem solver. She is bold and brave. She has a heart for those who are suffering under unjust laws and leadership. And most of all, she believes that we will heal the divides in our world through building intentional community across our differences, so that all of us can thrive together. I endorse Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council and I look forward to her kind of leadership.”
Rev. Doctor Monica Corsaro
Fairview Community Church
“Kelly is all about community! I knew that the moment I met her. She is involved in the public schools community, she is involved with the community of our city government and she is a friend to the interfaith religious and labor communities. And at the end of the day that is what Costa Mesa is striving to be, a thriving community of many, as we are! I am so proud and happy to endorse Kelly Brown for City Council!”
Small Business Leaders
Meagan Isbell
Owner, Supportive Skin Therapy
“As a local small business owner, I proudly support Kelly Brown for City Council. Her creativity, steady judgment, and genuine compassion for our community make her exactly the kind of thoughtful leadership Costa Mesa deserves.”
Ally Garvin
Owner, Neat Coffee
“Kelly Brown centers everything she does around people and community. Through her work on the Parks and Community Services Commission, she has proven to be an excellent listener who gets things done. I know she will continue to create meaningful change as a councilperson, making Costa Mesa better for all of us. As a local resident for twenty years and a business owner for ten, I'm excited to support an individual who is deeply invested in this city and is also sensitive to what local businesses need in order to thrive. Kelly Brown for District 5!”
Educational Leaders
Leah Ersoylu, PhD
President and Trustee, NMUSD Board of Education
Michelle Murphy
Trustee, NMUSD Board of Education
Ashley Anderson
Trustee, NMUSD Board of Education
“I strongly support Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. Kelly has shown dedication to the young people in her district and has worked hard to successfully advocate for important services for her local public schools. As a parent herself, she understands what our community needs."
Organization Leaders
Democratic Party of Orange County
Orange County Young Democrats
Women in Leadership
United Auto Workers
"UAW Region 6 is proud to endorse Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. Kelly is a proven union leader and public servant who will fight for working families, strong public services, and a sustainable future. Costa Mesa workers can count on Kelly!”
The Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
"The Western States Regional Council of Carpenters is proud to endorse Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. Her commitment to supporting fair labor practices and safe job sites demonstrates that she's the kind of leader that we can depend on to stand up for the construction industry."
The Orange County Labor Federation
Orange County Employee's Association
"The Orange County Employees Association is proud to endorse Kelly Brown for Costa Mesa City Council. Her commitment to fairness in the workplace and integrity in decision making demonstrates that she is exactly the kind of leader that Costa Mesa needs."--Tim Steed, OCEA Assistant General Manager
California Working Families Party
Planned Parenthood
“Dr. Kelly Brown is a champion for reproductive freedom and will stand with us to protect access to birth control, abortion, and the right to control our own reproductive lives. With federal attacks on Planned Parenthood funding and reproductive rights, state and local leaders like Kelly are more critical than ever in defending health care access.” --Katie Arthur, Board of Directors Chair, CAF PPOSBC
United Food and Commercial Workers
Teamsters Joint Council 42
WAVE
Moms Demand Action
College Democrats at Orange Coast College
