Garden Grove Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Stephanie Klopfenstein
Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)
Stephanie Klopfenstein, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Garden Grove in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Thu-Ha Nguyen.
Mail ballots available · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayMayor of Garden Grove since 2024, and District 5 council member before that, starting in 2016. Studied at Concordia University and worked in marketing.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Garden Grove Mayor/Mom
- Endorsed by
- Her campaign site lists the Garden Grove Police Association, Senator Janet Nguyen, Sheriff Don Barnes, the Orange County Business Council's BIZPAC and the Western States Carpenters, among others. Stephanie Klopfenstein for Mayor
- Campaign website
- www.stephanie4gg.com
Roger Flanders lists Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein among his endorsers. Roger Flanders for Garden Grove City Council: Endorsements
Patrick Phat Bui lists Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein among his endorsers. Phat Bui for Garden Grove City Council
Where Stephanie Klopfenstein stands: positions on the record
Homelessness2 sourced positions
Says she will address homelessness with both services and enforcement.
“address homelessness with both services and enforcement”
Own statementStephanie Klopfenstein
Voted yes on a property management contract of up to $100,000 a year for the Central Cities Navigation Center (passed 6-0, Sept. 2025).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Sept. 9, 2025 · Sep 9, 2025
Park safety2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a park security pilot contract with Lyons Security Services of up to $185,000 (passed 5-1, Jan. 2026).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Jan. 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 2026
Lists a neighborhood park security program among her accomplishments as mayor.
“Neighborhood park security program”
Own statementStephanie Klopfenstein
Smoking in parks1 sourced position
Voted yes on tabling a proposed ban on smoking in city parks for six months (passed 4-2, Jan. 2026).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Jan. 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 2026
Nickelodeon hotel1 sourced position
Voted yes on calling a June 8, 2027 special election on the Nickelodeon hotel zoning and setting aside $1 million for it (six votes, Sept. 2026).
Council voteOrange County Tribune · Sep 23, 2026
GKN chemical emergency2 sourced positions
Said GKN Aerospace may not restart the process involved in the May 2026 incident just by announcing a reopening date.
“GKN cannot resume this process by simply announcing a reopening date”
Own statementOC Register · Sep 28, 2026
Read the council's letter demanding accountability from GKN Aerospace aloud at a council meeting.
“so that GKN understands the seriousness, the directness and the attention that we will continue to give to this matter”
Own statementVoice of OC
Budget1 sourced position
Lists reducing the city's deficit by $61 million among her record as mayor.
“Reduced deficit by $61 million, improving Garden Grove’s fiscal ranking among Orange County cities by 6 places”
Own statementStephanie Klopfenstein
Council leadership1 sourced position
Voted against making Phillip Nguyen Mayor Pro Tem (failed 3-4), then for George Brietigam (passed 4-3, Dec. 2025).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025
Little Saigon1 sourced position
Voted yes on a plan with Fountain Valley and Santa Ana to form a Little Saigon business improvement district, with $300,000 for consultants (passed 6-0, Sept. 2025).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Sept. 9, 2025 · Sep 9, 2025
Labor1 sourced position
Voted yes on a renewed Community Workforce Agreement with the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council (passed 7-0, Dec. 2025).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Dec. 9, 2025 · Dec 9, 2025
Police1 sourced position
Voted yes on introducing an updated police Military Equipment Use Policy ordinance (passed 7-0, Jan. 2026).
Council voteGarden Grove City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Garden Grove mayor in 2024 (won).
Council voteOC Registrar of Voters · Dec 3, 2024
Also running for Mayor
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