Letters to the Editor
2026 – Not the year for Tim Stoaks
In 2018, many residents supported Tim Stoaks for City Council. We are NOT supporting him in this year’s election.
Earlier this year, in March, community leaders interviewed both Stoaks and Walter Stahr. At that time, those participating in the process understood Stoaks to have committed to endorse and support whoever the committee recommended as the preferred candidate. The committee asked pointed questions of both candidates. After careful consideration, it unanimously determined that Walter Stahr was a significantly stronger candidate with a better grasp of the issues and a stronger commitment to making Newport Beach a better city.
So, it came as quite a surprise to both the committee and many residents when, a few days later, Stoaks indicated he would be a candidate. We were astounded at his abrupt about-face and we found his decision deeply disappointing.
In Stoaks’ campaign, he features pictures of himself with prominent Newport residents, which, in our view, can create the impression that they support his candidacy this year. Many of those pictured are deceased and therefore could not have endorsed him in the 2026 election.
Despite being asked by surviving family members of some of these community leaders to stop using their names and images in this way, Stoaks continued to use them. We find that deeply troubling.
Tammy Watt, daughter of Jean Watt, has this to say about it: “Tim Stoaks continues to use the name and image of my late mother Jean Watt, in his campaign this year. It is true that they worked together on the animal shelter but that was a long time ago. He resigned from the board in 2020 and has had no role since then. I am supporting Walter Stahr this year and find it incredibly misleading and disrespectful for Tim to continue to rely on my late mother’s name and reputation.”
Tim also used a picture of himself with Barbara Venezia, who is very much alive. She said: “I have nothing to do with Stoaks. I did not authorize him to use my picture and I do not support his campaign.”
Stoaks has said that he is not raising money. In our view, these actions raise serious questions about his candidacy. Community leaders and residents have repeatedly asked him to redirect his efforts and lend his support to Walter Stahr, showing collaboration in the fight for our much-needed new city leadership. Based on his actions, we question what purpose his candidacy serves.
Other examples of what we consider imprudent positions include Stoaks’ proposal to annex land near the Santa Ana Country Club, with Newport Beach then purchasing the property through eminent domain, using it to develop housing. In our view, such a proposal could carry enormous costs, invite significant litigation and raise serious property-rights concerns. This is not, in our opinion, a prudent, serious plan.
Similarly, his plan to eliminate tolls on two exits of the 73 Toll Road could require the city to address the resulting lost toll revenue and associated bond obligations. We believe that proposal also raises significant financial concerns.
The upcoming fall election is critically important to the future of our city. In our view, Tim Stoaks is NOT a serious candidate for the city or its constituents. We encourage you NOT to waste your vote on Tim Stoaks.
Denys H. Oberman
Newport Beach
