Felipe Delgado

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Felipe Delgado

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Mater Dei High School

Personal

Birthplace

Santa Ana, Calif.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Engineer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Felipe Delgado ran for election for Mayor of Irvine in California. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Delgado completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Felipe Delgado was born in Santa Ana, California. He earned a high school diploma from Mater Dei High School. His career experience includes working as a engineer. Delgado has been affiliated with Irvine International Academy and Woodbridge Village Homeowners Association.

Elections

2024

See also: Mayoral election in Irvine, California (2024)

General election

General election for Mayor of Irvine

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Irvine on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Larry Agran (Nonpartisan)	38.8	42,652
		Tammy Kim (Nonpartisan)	34.5	37,924
		Ron Scolesdang (Nonpartisan)	11.7	12,891
		Lee Sun (Nonpartisan)	5.5	6,001
		Felipe Delgado (Nonpartisan)	4.8	5,325
		Akshat Bhatia (Nonpartisan)	2.5	2,761
	Submit photo	Wing Chow (Nonpartisan)	2.3	2,496

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 110,050
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Delgado in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Felipe Delgado completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Delgado's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I belong to a multicultural family. I am deeply rooted in the Irvine community because I moved here in 1969. My wife and I are graced by God with two children who are currently enrolled in the first Charter school in Irvine, where I serve as a Board Member. I also serve as a Board Member for the Woodbridge Village Master Homeowners Association.

My parents immigrated to the United State from Mexico and became US citizens. They taught me many lessons all based on conservative values. I attribute my moral compass to their belief in God, their value of hard work, love for family and friends, and respect for all people. I believe all my success honors them. These are the same lessons I currently teach my own children. Professionally, I’ve developed project management, implementation, and communication skills from a 45-year career working for Fluor Corporation. In both my public service and professional roles, I have a proven track record of solving problems and project execution with care and dedication.

I went to Catholic school from kindergarten to High School (Mater Dei). I speak English and Spanish, and my interests include skiing, basketball, Muay Thai, building model rockets, welding, residential and automotive repair.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The Irvine City Master Plan is a vision for the development of parks, open space, streets, schools, commercial, industrial & residential. Over the decades, the city appears to have strayed from the balance of growth and quality of life. The city’s economic and population growth contributed to the increased traffic, crime, and deteriorated the quality of resident experience. The city’s growth should support the needs of the changing demographics, be within our transportation infrastructure, policing capability, and schools. Development should not reduce our business/industry centers and resident experience for profit.
• Expose the budget shortfall to the residents of Irvine. If you read the City Manager's budget message, they blame COVID-19. I believe it was the current leadership's response to the COVID-19 theater that resulted in the city budget shortfall. He clearly identifies that expenditure growth was projected to outpace revenue growth. Which simply means they spent more than they earned. The shortfall is expected to range from $10.5 million to $14 million over the next five-year period. We need to stop reckless spending until revenue improves. Businesses and Industry are the base of the revenue source for the city. I will work to reopen business and industry sectors so they can help improve revenue.
• Although Irvine has been ranked as the #1 safest cities by the FBI for over 18 years, public safety will always be priority. Crime can never be eliminated in any city, but the perception of a strong Police force will always deter vulture criminals. I will support all our police and emergency teams so they can provide adequate response times to members of the community during their greatest time of need.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education. All public schools should focus on Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Throw in the love of country and respect for all. Teachers should not be allowed to tell the student what to think but should show them how to think. Critical thinking skills will carry a student farther than any social engineering concepts. Parents have the right to know how and what is being taught to their children in school.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father. I never realized until after his death, that he came from a long line of good men. He taught me everything I needed to know about being a good man, a good husband, and a good father. His teaching is what I am passing to my son, so some day he can add his name to the unbroken chain of good Delgado men.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

N/A

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Self-confidence. Without self-confidence you cannot expect others to respect you and your leadership skills.

Honesty and integrity. These two characteristics are the foundation of respect. Respect for others and yourself.

A commitment to public service. It is a true honor to serve without personal gain.

Project Management skills. No effort, public or private, can be truly successful without proper planning. Hoping things will work out is not a plan.

But most importantly are good communication skills. Everyone needs to understand their role or what is expected of them if success is the goal.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Professionally, I’ve developed project management, implementation, and communication skills from a 45-year career working for Fluor Corporation. In both my public service and professional roles, I have a proven track record of solving problems and project execution with care and dedication.

I currently hold two Board Member positions where I have experience with meeting protocols and rules of etiquette. I enjoy speaking dynamically and convincing others to my point of view.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Respect for the public trust. The public is risking their future on the leadership team. That respect will always guide an elected leader to success.

What legacy would you like to leave?

My professionalize approach to issues, respect for everyone, and my readiness to server.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The moon landing. I was 8 years old and wanted to be an astronaut ever since.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a paper boy for the O.C Register in the City of Irvine for about 2 years. I followed that illustrious career with a job at Mcdonald's until I graduated from High School.

What is your favorite book? Why?

To kill and mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Iron Man, does not have superpowers, just a great engineering mindset.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Give me shelter, by the Rolling Stones.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have always had poor eyesight. That is what keep me from being an astronaut. My eyesight has been deteriorating since the fourth grade. I wish that someday I will still be able to see my grandchildren.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

It means my fellow Irvine residents have entrusted me to serve as the head of the local government and to represent their interests and concerns to the local administration.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

To ensure that public services are efficiently delivered and meet the community's current and future needs. Protect the safety and well-being of the residents. Keep spending within the budgetary limits.

What do you love most about your city?

The family environment. There is nowhere better in the United States to raise a family. With good choices and a strong moral compass, children raised in Irvine can have a bright future. Every parent wants their children to be better off then themselves. Irvine helps provide the environmental foundation to achieve that goal.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Population growth with needed amenities that support the changing demographics within an honest budget.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

How a state and local government interact can impact everything from how finances are handled to how public utility decisions are made. Ideally the relationship should be State government supports the needs of the city within their budgetary limits.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

the United States Constitution is silent about the relationship between local government and the federal government. The creation of cities is considered one of the unlisted reserved powers granted to the states. Local governments are created with the purpose of implementing state law.

Tell us your favorite joke.

It sure was hot today. It was so hot; I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were walking!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

Mutual respect for the responsibility designated for each role is essential. I cannot expect the law enforcement officers or the Chief of Police to do their duty if I do not do mine.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Dr. Stephan Bean; OC Superintendent of School
Mari Barki; OC Department of Education

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

If a leader has made good decisions, then transparency and accountability is never an issue.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Mayor of Irvine

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