Improving public safety, increasing jobs, fixing traffic, lowering taxes. We hear those positions bandied about a lot in campaigns these days, but few ever turn these statements into meaningful action.

Similarly, in this campaign for Orange County Supervisor, I suspect every candidate will run on a similar platform, but what I offer is a proven and measurable track record of fiscal responsibility and innovative leadership that delivered results and improved the quality of life in our community.

Kris Murray

That is the single most important distinction I wish to make in my campaign for supervisor: I am running on my record of promises made and promises kept.

During my tenure as mayor pro tem and city councilwoman in Anaheim, I was a champion of fiscal responsibility – adopting balanced city budgets every year in office that doubled cash reserves, reduced pension liabilities, and kept city and utility fees low, while expanding transparency at City Hall.

When I took office in 2010, unemployment was at historically high levels. Adding to the problem was a police and firefighter force decimated by the recession. I immediately got to work and partnered with business leaders and community stakeholders to adopt programs and policies that led to record reinvestment, created thousands of local skilled jobs and reduced unemployment levels by more than two-thirds. I led programs to hire more than 40 sworn police officers, expand fire and rescue services, establish wildland management and invest in early wildfire detection programs to protect residents and homes from future wildfires – all without raising taxes.

On behalf of taxpayers, I authored the Taxpayer Protection Act, a charter amendment that increases the threshold to place tax increases on the city’s ballot. It was overwhelmingly passed by voters in Anaheim and since its passage, these protections were replicated and adopted by voters in Irvine and Newport Beach.

To ensure the safety of children and families, I passed a ban on sex offenders from entering city parks and worked with law enforcement countywide to address human trafficking and combat childhood exploitation.

As supervisor, I will listen to your concerns, act before there is a crisis, and drive solutions by working side by side with the community to achieve common goals.

Like every city and unincorporated community in the third district, I understand the needs of Irvine are unique and individualized. Wildfire protection, preserving open spaces and improving Irvine’s transportation infrastructure with regards to streets and intersections are top priorities. It is vital to a thriving Irvine to stay within the master plan and maintain the natural landscapes we enjoy, while protecting the safety of our residential neighborhoods, parks and wildland areas. I strongly support a Veterans Cemetery in Orange County, at a location that respects the wishes of Irvine residents and honors our region’s brave veterans.

This past year, wildfires devastated California, with 80 lives lost and more than $12.4 billion in damage and loss of private property. Wildfires continue to ravish our county year after year, causing complete devastation to hundreds of residents. Like many of you, my family and I have been evacuated multiple times during these events.

While on the Board of Supervisors, I will proactively lead efforts to develop comprehensive wildland protection measures, as well as work with the Orange County Fire Authority to develop early wildfire detection systems to save lives and protect private property.

It’s important that this special election for Orange County supervisor be centered on the pressing issues facing our community. That’s why at the start of my campaign, I signed a “Clean Campaign Pledge” and urged all candidates to join me because Orange County residents deserve better than false and misleading campaign tactics that divert attention from important county issues.

As your next supervisor, I will fulfill my commitment to residents who put their trust in me by voting in this special election – you have my word to faithfully serve my full term of office and provide long-term, common-sense leadership working every day in the best interests of Orange County.

On March 12, I humbly ask for your vote. I would be honored to represent you as your next county supervisor.

Please visit www.ElectKrisMurray.com to learn more about my background, broad coalition of endorsements and record serving Orange County residents.   

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.