After spending a little under seven months as a member of the city council for Huntington Beach, Tito Ortiz resigns from his post. The Trump supporter and longtime Republican was elected back in November after a campaign that was run on the promise to ‘make Huntington Beach safe again’. While he’s expressed an interest in a career in law-enforcement before and made these concerns central to his platform, it appears that it’s concerns for the safety of his own family that has prompted his resignation.
Tito Ortiz resigns in the face of several negative stories in the media, ranging from his personal anti-mask stance to his filing for unemployment despite his city council seat and involvement in several businesses. He’s been vocal in denying any wrongdoing and refused to concede any ground in the face of the accusations, but it appears that recent news stories about his children being sent home from school after arriving without masks has prompted him to re-evaluate his position on the city council:
“I was under the notion that I was in a bipartisan position and that we all had the common goal that our city and our constituents could… To put it frankly, that’s not the case. From day one, I was sworn in and I was met with hostility and judgment. Being a public figure, nothing is new.
However, to be so focused (on) character assassination each and every week with multiple news stories and leaked personal information, all in which were in hopes to slander and defame my name.
I thought I was up to this job. But I knew I had over 40,000 constituents who were there counting on me. As of recent, the attacks against me have moved to involve my family. I now feel their safety is in danger.
To put it simply, this job isn’t working for me.”
Tito Ortiz announces his resignation from the Huntington Beach City Council. pic.twitter.com/vVzsLNf9zu
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) June 2, 2021