Surf City USA at the Center of Trump-Era Politics, Reports Reuters

Huntington Beach: A Divided Community

By Daniel Trotta

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – Stretching across a vast sandy beach, the Huntington Beach pier attracts both tourists and surfers, contributing to the city’s reputation as Surf City, USA. This picturesque scene stands in stark contrast to the political tension emanating from City Hall just a short distance inland.

Since a conservative majority assumed control of the Huntington Beach City Council over a year ago, the council has actively pursued an agenda aligned with the Republican Party and the principles of former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. This shift has ignited passionate resistance, primarily from a grassroots group known as Protect Huntington Beach, which comprises Democrats, independents, and moderate Republicans. The debates at City Council meetings have become increasingly heated, reflecting the deep divisions within the community.

Recently, the conservative faction, holding a 4-3 majority on the City Council, tackled an issue vital to MAGA supporters: security along the U.S.-Mexico border. The discussion was lively, with boisterous reactions from both sides. Conservative attendees hurled jeers at liberal speakers, signaling the intensity of the political climate.

Huntington Beach, home to approximately 194,000 residents, exemplifies the polarization evident in contemporary America, particularly during the Trump era. Traditional norms of civility are being replaced by a cutthroat mentality where each side feels the values of its opponent are fundamentally un-American.

"It’s a blood sport to be involved in Huntington Beach," remarked Tony Strickland, a member of the conservative council majority. "So many people are active. That’s a good thing, not a bad thing."

Historically, Orange County, the birthplace of Richard Nixon and a stronghold for Ronald Reagan, has leaned conservative, consistently producing significant Republican wins in an otherwise liberal state. However, in recent years, the number of registered Democrats has surpassed that of Republicans in the county.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a more active form of conservative politics emerged in Huntington Beach, particularly among those opposed to mask and vaccine mandates. This surge in activism facilitated the rise of a conservative bloc on the City Council, which was solidified during the November 2022 elections. These council members, who have ties to a local Christian church, swiftly implemented changes aligned with conservative values.

Among their actions, the new council majority voted to remove books considered to contain sexual content from the teen section of the library, limited who could deliver the opening prayer at council meetings, and reallocated board assignments away from the three liberal members. Recently, they also addressed the issue of border security in Texas.

The conservative agenda will face a significant test in the upcoming March 5 election, where three proposed ballot measures will be presented to voters. These measures include a voter ID requirement and a de facto ban on flying the LGBTQ pride flag at City Hall, alongside Donald Trump’s presence on the Republican presidential primary ballot.

Three members of the conservative bloc identify as Trump supporters, while a fourth member, who initiated the border security discussion, has remained ambiguous regarding his stance.

Councilman Casey McKeon defended his colleagues’ actions, asserting they aim to return city politics "back to the middle."

"Our focus isn’t solely aligned with the Republican Party or Donald Trump. We’re addressing issues that impact Huntington Beach," McKeon stated.

In response, Protect Huntington Beach is working to oppose the ballot initiatives and prevent other communities from experiencing a similar partisan split.

"We know other cities and counties are watching us," said Cathey Ryder, a founding member of Protect Huntington Beach. She expressed concern about the current political atmosphere, noting that it is unrecognizable compared to a few years ago when party affiliation was less relevant.

Dan Kalmick, one of the three liberal members on the council, characterized the majority’s behavior as "nihilism," expressing discontent with the infusion of national politics into local governance.

Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, who garnered attention for her efforts to remove the graphic memoir "Gender Queer" from the library’s teen section, maintains that the council can manage city business while addressing various issues.

Following the council’s direction, librarians have relocated numerous titles, previously deemed suitable for children, to the adult section. This included books related to sex education and other topics, a move documented by a liberal council member and a library board member.

Van Der Mark indicated that an advisory board would review the removed titles and potentially return those deemed appropriate for children, but she will continue to exclude material she finds too explicit.

"Most of California has become liberal. Why can’t we create a space for ourselves?" Van Der Mark commented, emphasizing her desire to represent residents who share conservative values.