The Anaheim Police Association Political Action Committee is pulling back their support for Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s reelection campaign in the wake of allegations surfacing that she called her chief of staff a racist slur and repeatedly questioned her sexual orientation.
In a Tuesday news release, the committee announced their board voted to suspend their endorsement of Aitken for the Mayoral seat in light of the allegations that the mayor has denied.
At the same time, Cesar Aguilar, chair of Anaheim Police Association Political Action Committee, said the mayor is entitled to due process and a fair investigation into the accusations before conclusions are reached.
Our endorsement carries significant responsibility
“Our endorsement carries significant responsibility. If allegations of this nature had been pending when Mayor Aitken sought our endorsement, we would have likely waited for the investigation to be completed before making a decision. Suspending our endorsement now is consistent with that approach,” Aguilar is quoted in the Sept. 29 news release.
“When serious allegations involving discrimination or inappropriate conduct are raised, it is appropriate for us to step back from an endorsement while the facts are being established.”
The association represents 400 police officers and the political action committee board has asked Aitken to remove their endorsement from her campaign website until the allegations are investigated.
In a social media post last week, Aitken
In a social media post last week, Aitken denied using the racial slur and said she is limited in how she can respond to the allegations against her on the heels of some residents and activists calling for resignation.
“These allegations are extremely serious, and they deserve to be investigated. I did not use the racial slur attributed to me, and I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community,” reads a statement Aitken posted on Facebook Thursday evening.
Aitken also said she would comply with an investigation into the allegations that was called for by her council colleague Natalie Meeks, who is running for reelection unopposed.
The mayor did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
The political action committee has contributed nearly $50,000
The political action committee has contributed nearly $50,000 this year to another committee supporting Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava’s reelection campaign and have made over $2,500 in individual contributions to support Aitken this election period so far, according to campaign finance records on the city’s website.
Anaheim officials are expected to meet for their regular city council meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. today with a protest expected to take place at 3:30 p.m. outside of city hall.
The investigation comes after TimesOC reported on a confidential mediation letter sent to the city on behalf of Berenice Ballinas, Aitken’s chief of staff, detailing alleged harassment by Aitken and former City Manager Jim Vanderpool, who could not be reached for comment.
The city has yet to publicly release
The city has yet to publicly release that mediation letter despite First Amendment advocates saying the document should be able to be publicly released under state law, comparing it to a claim against the government.
Aitken is up for reelection in about a month’s time against two relatively unknown political newcomers – Dr. Imran Sharief, a physician, and Alfredo Rodriguez, a general manager of an environmental services company, to be the mayor of a city where 53% of residents are Latino.
Beyond the police association’s PAC endorsement, Aitken is also endorsed by the Democratic Party of Orange County and still is listed on their website.
Florice Hoffman, Chair of the Democratic Party
Florice Hoffman, Chair of the Democratic Party of OC, said the party is taking the allegations against Aitken seriously and in support of a fair and independent investigation into the accusations.
“If substantiated, the reported remarks and conduct would be inexcusable. Racist, denigrating, or otherwise offensive treatment has no place in our party or in public service. Elected officials must be accountable to their staff and the people they serve,” Hoffman said in a Monday text message.
“Every public employee deserves dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or background. We stand in solidarity with marginalized groups across Orange County, including women of color and our LGBTQIA+ community.”
Editor’s note: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie
Editor’s note: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org.
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