Fred Jung is the current Mayor of Fullerton, running for the Orange County Board of Supervisors, District 4. This site is maintained by concerned community members who believe voters across the district deserve a clear picture of his record — not just a campaign pitch. Everything on this page is drawn from public meetings, news reports, court filings, and city records.
A Pattern of Limiting Public Participation
A County Supervisor represents hundreds of thousands of residents. Yet Mayor Jung's track record in Fullerton raises serious questions about whether he values hearing from the public.
Jung seconded a motion by Councilmember Valencia to cut public comment time from three minutes to two minutes per speaker at council meetings. The proposal drew significant opposition from residents who rely on that time to raise concerns on complex issues.
Jung proposed amendments to council rules that would give the mayor authority to limit how long other council members can speak and to prohibit what he defined as "negative commentary" about fellow members — a move critics described as consolidating power in a position that is, by law, purely ceremonial in a general-law city like Fullerton.
Multiple community members have reported that Mayor Jung fails to acknowledge public speakers during meetings. In at least one meeting, he reportedly suggested a district lacked enough "smart people" to participate meaningfully — a remark that residents found dismissive and disrespectful.
A County Supervisor's meetings cover issues affecting entire communities — policing, homelessness, development, and public health. If a candidate has a track record of limiting public input at the city level, how will he handle it when the stakes are even higher?
The Push to Make Fullerton a Charter City
In March 2025, Mayor Jung introduced a proposal to explore converting Fullerton from a general-law city to a charter city. While charter cities exist throughout California, the proposal raised alarm bells among residents and local experts.
What Changes
Charter cities gain control over elections, zoning, public contracts, and local taxes — powers currently governed by state law that provide important guardrails.
Power Concentration
Critics warn that a charter could enable a "strong mayor" form of government and reduce citizen oversight of public contracts and spending decisions.
Housing Concerns
Residents expressed worry that charter status could be used to circumvent state housing mandates and sanctuary protections — policies that protect vulnerable community members.
Cost to Taxpayers
Implementing a charter conversion was estimated to cost the city approximately $200,000 — at a time when Fullerton is already facing significant budget deficits.
A political science professor at Fullerton College noted that when the push for charter status doesn't come from residents, it raises questions about the true motive. — Voice of OC, March 2025
The charter city effort was not driven by community demand — it was introduced by the mayor and his council allies. Residents at the March 2025 meeting publicly called the proposal a "power grab."
A Lawsuit Over Misleading Campaign Claims
In March 2026, a lawsuit was filed in Orange County Superior Court challenging both Jung's ballot designation and specific claims made in his official candidate statement for the Supervisor race.
"Businessowner" Designation
Jung's ballot lists him as "Fullerton Mayor / Businessowner." But state records show that Gatsby LLC, the company associated with Jung, was dissolved in 2014. His Form 700 financial disclosure lists only his wife's salary — no business income.
"Built 9 New Parks"
Jung's candidate statement claims he "built 9 new parks." The lawsuit alleges this is inaccurate — the city has not opened new parks during his tenure. Some existing parks received renovations, but that is not the same as building new ones.
"Turned Around a $9M Deficit"
Jung claims he turned around a $9 million deficit into a balanced budget. The lawsuit argues this is misleading because it conflates different budget concepts. In reality, the city's financial projections have worsened under his leadership.
Residents received a campaign mailer supporting Jung that listed no individual endorsers. The organization behind the flyer was based in another city — in Los Angeles County, not even in Orange County. Voters should ask: if local support is strong, why is campaign material coming from outside the district and outside the county?
Fullerton's Worsening Financial Outlook
Despite claims of fiscal responsibility, Fullerton's financial situation has deteriorated during Jung's time in the council majority.
Growing Deficit
In 2023, the city projected a $3 million deficit by 2027. By 2025, that figure had more than tripled to over $9 million. The deficit has grown under the Jung-Dunlap majority's watch.
Declining Reserves
The city has relied on reserve funds to balance its budget — a short-term fix that masks structural problems and puts Fullerton's long-term financial health at risk.
Selective Spending
Fiscal constraints are cited to block some proposals, while millions are approved for other projects in the same meetings — raising questions about whether "fiscal responsibility" is applied consistently or politically.
As chair of the Orange County Power Authority, Jung has also faced scrutiny for directing ratepayer funds toward Fullerton community events unrelated to clean energy — including sponsorships of local festivals and sports leagues.
Questions About Transparency and Governance
A pattern of governance choices has raised questions about whether Jung prioritizes openness and accountability.
Despite approximately 30 residents speaking in favor of a different candidate for mayor, the Jung-Dunlap-Valencia bloc appointed Jung to a fourth consecutive mayoral term — breaking what many residents understood to be a fair-rotation tradition. Critics noted this allowed Jung to use the "Mayor" title in his Supervisor campaign.
The council majority voted to remove newspapers and free publications from City Hall — a decision some residents saw as limiting access to independent local journalism and community information.
Jung and the council majority terminated a city manager's contract and replaced him with an associate who drew criticism for lacking qualifications. They also moved to privatize the public library and end popular community programs like Walk on Wilshire.
Taken individually, each decision might seem like normal politics. Taken together, they paint a picture of a leader who consolidates power, limits dissent, and uses public office as a stepping stone — not someone who should be trusted with a larger platform.