Gamble takes responsibility for paperwork mistake, says she will resign if elected.
Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Carol Gamble has suspended her campaign for the District 3 City Council seat after revealing a mistake in her nomination paperwork. On Sunday afternoon, Gamble acknowledged signing the document with an inaccurate statement, which was discovered too late to correct.
“My error, my responsibility, and my decisions have been discussed with the District Attorney through my counsel, and no promises have been made to me,” Gamble said in a press release. She further expressed regret for the error, addressing residents and colleagues in Rancho Santa Margarita. “To the residents, businesses, Council colleagues, and city staff of Rancho Santa Margarita, I am very sorry for my irreversible mistake, and I am at the same time very proud of all that we accomplished by working together,” she said.
Despite suspending her campaign, Gamble’s name remains on the ballot as voting is already underway in California. If she wins the District 3 seat, she stated she would resign immediately. She also announced plans to return campaign donations from supporters.
“I am deeply embarrassed, take full responsibility, and apologize for my error,” she added.
This comes after Fullerton City Council candidate Scott Markowitz was arrested last week by Orange County District Attorney investigators for falsifying his nomination paperwork. Markowitz pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and will serve one day in jail, alongside probation and community service.
When asked about the concerns surrounding Gamble’s paperwork, Kimberly Edds, a spokesperson for the OCDA, declined to confirm whether an investigation was underway. “The office does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation,” Edds said.
Meanwhile, Gamble’s opponent, Keri Lynn Baert, remains focused on her own campaign. Baert is continuing outreach efforts to secure votes ahead of the election. “My understanding is that when you suspend your campaign, your name is still on the ballot,” Baert remarked. “So for me to win — and I plan to win — I’m going to get the most votes.”
Gamble has been a fixture in Rancho Santa Margarita’s leadership since before the city’s incorporation in 2000. She currently serves as mayor for the fourth time.
District 3 covers the northern part of the city, an area known for its residential neighborhoods and parks.
