Irvine City Council · Nov 3, 2026
James Mai
Vice Mayor, District 3; term ends 2028City of Irvine
James Mai (Vice Mayor, District 3) is not on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot and will stay on the Irvine City Council after the election.
Elected in 2024 as the first District 3 councilmember. Founder and chairman of the consulting firm Bristol & Bates; vice chairman of the Orange County Power Authority board.
Steven Alves previously served as chief of staff to Vice Mayor James Mai. The Irvine Times · Sep 9, 2026
Vice Mayor James Mai and Councilmember Mike Carroll are listed as endorsers on John Park's campaign site. John Park campaign site
Vice Mayor James Mai and Councilmember Mike Carroll are listed as endorsers on Steven Alves's campaign site. Steven Alves campaign site
Where James Mai stands: positions on the record
Budget1 sourced position
Called for an immediate hiring freeze and other spending reductions; the council deadlocked 3-3 (April 2026).
Council voteVoice of OC · Apr 15, 2026
Taxes1 sourced position
As reported by Voice of OC
Said the council should consider tax increases and reserve spending only as a last resort.
Own statementVoice of OC · Apr 15, 2026
Ranked-choice voting1 sourced position
Signed the ballot argument against the ranked-choice voting measure.
“VOTE NO ON CHANGING TO RANKED CHOICE VOTING.”
Own statementArgument against the ranked-choice voting measure (signed by James Mai) · Jul 23, 2026
Energy1 sourced position
Voted yes to rescind Irvine's planned withdrawal from the Orange County Power Authority (passed 5-2, Sept. 2025).
Council voteIrvine City Council minutes, Sept. 9, 2025 · Sep 9, 2025
Transit1 sourced position
Voted no on having staff plan two new Irvine CONNECT shuttle routes, including a Jamboree-UCI route (passed 4-2, April 2025).
Council voteIrvine City Council minutes, April 22, 2025 · Apr 22, 2025
Great Park1 sourced position
Voted yes on the Great Park land swap with the developer that allows 1,300 new homes and removed a columbarium from park planning (passed 4-3, Dec. 2025).
Council voteVoice of OC · Dec 12, 2025
Immigration services1 sourced position
Voted no on creating the Irvine Immigration Assistance Program with an initial $100,000 for legal help (passed 5-2, Feb. 2026).
Council voteIrvine City Council minutes, Feb. 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026
On the ballot this time
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