STORY AND PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH KAMPITAN, DIGITAL EDITOR
The Cypress City Council welcomes a new pool of candidates for the first by-district 2024 election. Qualified candidates, who completed the candidate filing period, have the chance to be voted in the Nov. 5, 2024 election. The last day to register to vote is October 21, 2024, as voters will select one candidate in the district they reside in.
Unlike the past at-large elections, where voters from anywhere in Cypress can vote for the candidate(s) at their discretion, one candidate from each Cypress district will be chosen from the election. One will be from District 3, and the other will be from District 4.
No incumbents are running in the November election. Two out of the five current council members, Mayor Scott Minikus and Council Member David Burke will remain in office until their terms end in 2026. Council Member Frances Marquez, Ph.D will be running for the Orange County Board of Supervisors (District 1) instead of the council; on the other hand, Mayor Pro Tem Bonnie Peat and Council Member Anne Mallari have not expressed plans on rerunning.
To identify the district you reside in, please refer to the map visuals below
District 3 is colored in green, and district 4 is colored in purple.
DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES
Kyle Chang
Kyle Chang is a running candidate affiliated with the Democratic Party. As a Public Health Statistician at the Center for Health Equity Research at California State University, Long Beach, he hopes to use his experience to prioritize safe neighborhoods, family life, quality education, diversify Cypress businesses, and plan interactive developmental projects. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas, and he received his PhD in Social Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine. He worked as a caseworker for Children’s Protective Services, a therapist for children with autism, and as an after-school tutor for low-income families.
For more information on Chang’s goals and background, visit his campaign website here: https://votekylechang.com/
Mark H. Plager
Mark H. Plager is a running candidate affiliated with the Republican Party. As a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Quinnipiac University School of Law, he prioritizes public safety and enhancing the Cypress Police Department, creating a business-friendly environment, improving roads and parks, and advocating for education. Plager has 34 years of experience as an intellectual property and business attorney, founded the Cypress Youth Baseball group, is a former substitute municipal prosecutor, and a current member of Cypress Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on Plager’s goals and background, visit his campaign website here:
https://plagerforcypress2024.com/
Gayel Kaplan
Gayel Kaplan is a running candidate who is Non-Partisan. With experience as the former President of the Urban Development Corporation in New York, she prioritizes the city’s environmental needs (implementing solar panels and an integrated gray water recycling system), resolving all city debts and budgets, methods to approach building new housing units, and creating a Cypress City Planning Committee. She is an avid believer in climate change and hopes to create zoning requirements. Kaplan has a Master in Education and Counseling from Fordham University and currently works as a paralegal at Silverman Shin & Schneider.
Gayel Kaplan does not have a campaign website or social media site. Her interview with the OC Register
DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES
Leo Medrano
Leo Medrano is a Non-Partisan candidate for District 4. As a Serial-Starter CFO, former U.S. Naval Officer, and former investment banker, he hopes to utilize his experiences to serve the Cypress community. He graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA in Finance from UCLA. Some of his priorities include public safety, creating a business-friendly environment, infrastructure improvement, lowering taxes, and increasing resident connection and participation in city affairs.
For more information on Medrano’s goals and background, visit his campaign website here: https://www.leo4cypress.com/
Blaze Bhence
Blaze Bhence is a candidate affiliated with the Democratic Party. As a former Orange County Sheriff Reserve Lieutenant and continued Public Service Representative, he hopes to implement his priorities into Cypress. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at University of California, Los Angeles, and received a Master of Business Administration in Marketing at the University of Southern California. Some of his priorities include budget transparency and reductions in spending, developmental business plans, public safety, and community life improvements.
For more information on Bhence’s goals and background, visit his campaign website here: https://www.blaze4cypress.com/
Glenn Button
Glenn Button is a running candidate affiliated with the Republican Party. As an aerospace engineer, process consultant, and business owner, he hopes to bring his team-building experience to Cypress. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Physics at Arizona State University and served on the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission. Some of his priorities include public safety, keeping the city fiscally sound, strengthening the local economy, investing in recreation facilities, and increasing education partnerships.
For more information on Button’s goals and background, visit his campaign website here:
https://button4cypresscitycouncil2024.com/
Register to vote before Oct. 21 to participate in the election, depending on the district you reside in.