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Connor Traut, OC Board of Supervisors District 4, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 6, 2026

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Connor Traut

Current job title: Mayor / Business Owner

Age: 32

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Current Mayor of Buena Park/former Centralia School Board President

City where you reside: Buena Park

Campaign website or social media: www.ConnorTraut.com

In your opinion, what is the biggest need your district faces, and how would you address it through the Board of Supervisors? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Our region’s most pressing challenge is restoring affordability, without sacrificing what makes Orange County special. Too many residents, especially young people and seniors, are being squeezed by rising costs of housing, healthcare, and everyday essentials.

At the county level, we must focus on lowering costs and increasing opportunity. I will prioritize faster production of housing that meets workforce needs, expand access to first-time homebuyer programs, and support responsible tenant protections.

We can also improve healthcare affordability by expanding access through CalOptima and the OC Health Care Agency, so residents aren’t choosing between rent and care.

The county should further invest in local water supply, such as new wells, storage, and recycled water. Doing so will reduce reliance on costly imported sources, leading to lower bills.

Finally, I will support creating good-paying jobs by investing in workforce development and training pipelines, and making it easier to start and run a small business.

Orange County has been home to my family for generations. My wife and I want our son to grow up here, in a community we love and a region that I’m working to strengthen as our next supervisor, making it more beautiful, full of opportunity, and affordable for all.

Where do you think the county is effectively spending to address the needs of unhoused residents, and what would you change about where money spent on homelessness is prioritized? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Orange ‌County ‌has ‌made great strides on street outreach, healthcare services, and building navigation centers. Those dollars matter, and keeping that momentum going makes sense.

The gap is accountability and results. Too many times, we approve funding and then don’t consistently measure whether it’s actually getting people off the streets and into stable housing. That has to shift.

As our next supervisor, I’ll advocate for clearer performance standards, tighter coordination with our cities, and more attention on mental health and substance use treatment, since those issues sit at the center of a lot of homelessness

Further, we should back the programs that reliably end in permanent housing, including more supportive units, not wasteful programs that cycle people through short stays in shelters and motels. We must never allow OC to turn into LA.

Enforcement, while a last resort, must be part of the mix. Families deserve parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces to stay safe and workable for everyone. We can address homelessness in a system that is both compassionate and effective, helping people get off the streets permanently while restoring quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Looking at the county’s annual budget, what would you like to change about how funds are allocated? Is there a department or project that has not received the funding it needs? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

As our next supervisor, my focus will be on core services: public safety, roads, parks, and lowering costs for all of us.

Every program should have clear, measurable standards. If something isn’t delivering results, then we shouldn’t just keep writing checks. Instead, we should fix it or move those funds to what works.

We should also be more aggressive in leveraging state and federal funding so that local taxpayers aren’t carrying the full burden.

As a mayor, I’ve taken that approach, with proven results of a balanced budget, and investing into priorities like modernizing public safety, building new parks, and repairing our roads.

County spending should be guided by this same approach of discipline, accountability, and results that help people most in their everyday lives.

The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the county do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Our Orange County supervisors currently have discretion over individual, separate budgets of their own. That needs to stop.

We expect our elected leaders to engage in collaborative decision making with us, and for us. This is best done through a truly accountable system where it’s easy for the public to see how decisions are made and how our tax dollars are being spent, and have our voices listened to.

County leaders should further elevate voices of the people impacted by any given decision. When elected officials are well-informed and clearly explain their decisions to the public, it builds trust and confidence. That consistency and openness leads to better decision-making that benefits all of us.

Orange County can take further actions by strengthening oversight, expanding independent audits, and requiring measurable performance standards for every major program. We must expect higher standards of accountability and action from our public officials.

Social services providers say they expect to see a continued rise in food and housing insecurity this year. In addition, many low-income residents may lose health care as new eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal are implemented. What role do you think the county can play in supporting people who are falling through the cracks? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

The ‌county ‌is ‌the backstop for a lot of people right now, especially as everyday costs keep climbing.

Access to food help should grow, and that means working closely with local nonprofits and doing a better job connecting services to families who need them. As a mayor and former school board member, I expanded food services in a manner that supported dignity and choice.

Health coverage needs the same focus. As Medi-Cal eligibility changes, we must keep CalOptima strong and prevent people from losing coverage due to red tape. That starts with hiring more eligibility workers to ensure people keep their coverage and no one falls through the cracks.

Housing stability has to stay front and center. That means building more affordable housing, providing rental assistance to prevent homelessness, and addressing rising utility costs by expanding local water sources and investing in lower-cost clean energy.

Across all of this, services cannot operate in silos. The county must improve coordination of services so people aren’t stuck navigating a fragmented system. If someone is putting in the effort and still struggling, the system should meet them where they are, make support straightforward to access, and help them stay housed, healthy, and steady.

Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your district? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Effective leadership, especially in a diverse district, begins by showing up, listening, and making sure every voice is heard. I’ve prioritized bringing people together, understanding diverse needs from varying backgrounds, and ensuring my decisions better serve all people.

As mayor of Buena Park, I’ve focused on turning conversations into action. We’ve strengthened our financial position with balanced budgets and strong reserves while increasing investment in public safety, parks, and roads. All while ensuring a range of voices is represented throughout the decision-making process.

Further, my background reflects a commitment to service. I’ve served as a school board president, Orange County Juvenile Justice commissioner, and now as a board director for the Orange County Fire Authority and a board member for our local Boys & Girls Clubs. I’m also a small business owner and a consumer protection attorney, a profession where I advocate for individuals and families and hold bad actors accountable.

I’m proud to have earned support from the OC Firefighters, the Veterans Alliance of Orange County, my city’s police association, and groups representing nurses, grocery workers, construction workers, and small business owners. I’d be honored to earn your vote.

Orange County Register

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Connor Traut, OC Board of Supervisors District 4, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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