Conservative incumbents Tony Beall and Carol Gamble are holding their ground in a hotly contested, nine-candidate race for two at-large seats on the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council, based on the latest election results.
Fellow Republican Glenn Acosta trails in third place with just under 14 percent of votes, followed by endorsed Democrats Beth Schwartz at around 12 percent and John Christopoulos at about 9 percent. Candidates Julia Bendis, Chris McLaughlin, Wendy Braun, and Andrea Machuca are trailing, each with around 5 percent or less in the nine-person race.
City council races are officially nonpartisan, but many candidates in Rancho Santa Margarita declared their political affiliations through party endorsements.
Both council seats are for four-year terms.