Police management union endorses Hill, Toerge, Brown, Dixon

The Newport Beach Police Management Assn., the union representing sergeants and lieutenants, has announced a slate of City Council endorsements in an open letter to the community.

“The [association] does not normally make political endorsements,” wrote Lt. Steve Rasmussen, the union president. “However, the city of Newport Beach is at a critical juncture this election year.”

Three of Newport Beach’s seven council members will be termed out this year, while Mayor Rush Hill is up for reelection to his District 3 seat, making for something of a seismic shift on the council.

Hill, along with Tim Brown in District 4, Mike Toerge in District 6 and Diane Dixon in District 1, received the association’s endorsements.

“The [association] strongly believes the above City Council candidates will provide the proper stability, guidance and leadership necessary to maintain the high standards and quality service expected by the citizens of Newport Beach,” Rasmussen wrote.

Brown, a planning commissioner, is running against fight promoter Roy Englebrecht and lawyer Kevin Muldoon to represent the Eastbluff-area district now represented by Councilwoman Leslie Daigle.

Toerge, along with former Planning Commissioner Scott Peotter, is vying for the Corona del Mar-area district currently represented by Councilwoman Nancy Gardner.

Local businessman Marshall “Duffy” Duffield is challenging Hill for the Bayview-area district seat.

Dixon is running unopposed to replace Councilman Mike Henn in his Balboa Peninsula-area district.