Former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang Announces Run for District 1 City Council Seat, Taking on Incumbent Melinda Liu
Irvine, CA — Sukhee Kang, Irvine’s first Asian and Korean American mayor, has officially declared his candidacy for the District 1 seat on the Irvine City Council. In an interview with UNE News Express, Kang laid out his vision for the city, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership to guide Irvine through its growing challenges.
“When you have a city of this size, with more than 330,000 residents and a municipal budget exceeding $300 million, leadership matters,” Kang said. “Irvine needs leaders who can turn plans into action and ensure city resources are used responsibly.”
Experience Amid Growth
Kang first became mayor in 2008, when Irvine’s population was around 210,000. During his tenure, he navigated the city through the global financial crisis, when sales tax revenues fell nearly 28 percent. “My first priority was balancing the budget without cutting essential services,” he recalled.
Over eight years in city leadership, including two terms as mayor and prior service as councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem, Kang successfully secured over $200 million in transportation funding, reviving a project that had gone unfunded for nearly two decades. His efforts brought $121 million in matching funds to Irvine while generating an equal investment for Orange County, totaling nearly $240 million in combined impact.
Fiscal Discipline and Public Safety
Kang has made fiscal responsibility a central focus of his campaign. He criticized current council spending practices, noting that council members now have significantly higher discretionary budgets and staff allocations than in the past. “Every dollar of the city budget is taxpayer money,” he said. “We must eliminate waste, build reserves, and prioritize investments that benefit residents directly.”
Public safety also remains a priority. While Irvine consistently ranks as one of the nation’s safest cities, Kang said rising theft and homelessness require targeted policies and efficient resource deployment. “We are safe, but there is always room for improvement,” he said, noting that nearly 40 percent of the city’s budget is devoted to public safety.
Advancing Great Park and Community Projects
Kang described Irvine’s Great Park as one of the most ambitious urban park projects of the 21st century. “After 23 years, only about a quarter of the park is complete,” he said. During his tenure, he approved the first two phases of residential development, totaling 10,000 units, laying the foundation for the current community. The park includes the Great Park Cultural Terrace and other key amenities, which Kang says must be fully developed and welcoming to all residents. He pledged that, if elected, he would accelerate construction and enhance infrastructure, ensuring the park becomes a true civic landmark.
District 1 Priorities
Kang highlighted District 1 as home to North Irvine’s most treasured open spaces, including the orchards and natural landscapes of Orchard Hills. He emphasized the importance of preserving green space, protecting scenic views, and enhancing quality of life. Plans include planting 60,000 to 70,000 trees, improving air quality and walkability, and upgrading the Jeffrey Open Space Trail system.
Addressing persistent traffic issues near the Frank Bowerman Landfill, Kang proposed dedicated lanes for garbage trucks to reduce congestion, with close coordination with the Orange County Transportation Authority and Transportation Corridor Agencies.
Beyond environmental and traffic concerns, Kang supports robust investment in community facilities, including libraries, community centers, and recreational spaces. He also emphasizes the preservation of historic landmarks such as the Katie Wheeler Library, viewing them as vital to maintaining District 1’s character and heritage.
Federal Experience and Execution
Beyond local government, Kang served as Regional Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration, managing federal properties across eight states, more than 1,800 buildings, and major technology modernization initiatives. He says this experience equips him to coordinate complex projects and manage city resources effectively.
Election Outlook
Kang will challenge incumbent Councilwoman Melinda Liu, who was elected in 2024 as Irvine’s first Chinese American female council member. District 1 encompasses North Irvine neighborhoods, including Orchard Hills, Northpark, Stonegate, and West Irvine. The municipal election is scheduled for November.
“Now is the time to bring my experience back to Irvine,” Kang said. “We need leadership that understands the city’s history, delivers results, and puts the community first. That’s exactly what I intend to do.”
